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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-K
[ X ] ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ....... to .......
Commission file number 0-29486
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Wisconsin 39-1600938
(State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification Number)
1126 South 70th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53214-3151
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (414) 977-4000
Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
Title of class Name of exchange on which registered
Common Stock Nasdaq National Market
Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act: NONE
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 in pursuant
to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be
contained, to the best of 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. [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer
(as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes X No
----- -----
The aggregate value for the registrant's voting and non-voting common
equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2003, based upon
the closing sale price of the Common Stock on June 30, 2003, as reported on the
Nasdaq National Market, was approximately $92,441,646. Shares of Common Stock
held by each officer and director and by each person who owns five percent or
more of the outstanding Common Stock have been excluded in that such persons
may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not
necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.
The number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common equity, as of March 12, 2004: 12,632,989
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The information required by Part III is incorporated by reference from
the Registrant's Proxy statement for the 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
(This page intentionally left blank)
INDEX
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Page
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PART I
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Item 1. Description of Business.......................................... 2
Item 2. Description of Properties........................................ 10
Item 3. Legal Proceedings................................................ 10
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.............. 10
PART II
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Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder
Matters........................................................ 11
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.......................................... 12
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations.......................................... 12
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk....... 25
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data...................... 25
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure........................................... 49
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.......................................... 49
PART III
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Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant............... 49
Item 11. Executive Compensation........................................... 49
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management... 49
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions................... 49
Item 14. Principal Accounting fees and Services........................... 50
PART IV
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Item 15. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K................................. 51
PART I
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Item 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
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Overview
Merge Technologies Incorporated, a Wisconsin corporation doing business
as Merge eFilm, and its subsidiaries or affiliates ("Merge," "we," "us," or
"our"), is a global healthcare software and services company focused on
accelerating the productivity of imaging centers, hospitals and clinics. Our
products fall into three distinct categories: radiology workflow software
applications, connectivity and component solutions and professional services.
Our radiology workflow applications are commonly categorized as Picture
Archiving and Communication Systems ("PACS") and Radiology Information Systems
("RIS"). We believe the combination of PACS and RIS define the breadth and
depth of integrated radiology workflow, with the added value of enterprise
image and information access. This broader definition is our focus and the
manner in which our solutions are positioned to our target market.
Our products fuse business and clinical workflow by intelligently
managing and distributing diagnostic images and information throughout the
healthcare enterprise. By utilizing our products, our customers enhance the
quality of healthcare provided to patients because they improve radiology
workflow efficiencies, improving clinical decision making processes. In
addition, our products reduce the film, paper and labor costs involved in
managing and distributing medical images and information, thereby contributing
to the profitability of our customers' businesses. We deliver this tangible
value to facilities of all sizes, but we specifically target imaging centers,
small to medium size hospitals, multi-hospital groups, and specialty clinics.
We were founded in 1987 and built a reputation as a global company that
enabled the transformation of legacy radiology (film-based) images into modern
(film-less) digitized images for distribution and diagnostic interpretation.
We acquired eFilm Medical, Inc. ("eFilm") in June 2002 and began doing business
under the name of Merge eFilm in order to leverage eFilm's international name
recognition for diagnostic workstation software. eFilm was founded in 2000 by
Toronto's University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospitals to develop a
clinical electronic image management system.
In July 2003, we acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of RIS Logic,
Inc. ("RIS Logic"), a RIS company that designed software to manage business
and clinical workflow for imaging centers. RIS Logic was founded in 1997 by a
neuroradiologist to develop and market a RIS focused on improving business and
clinical workflow for diagnostic outpatient imaging centers. RIS Logic
provides RIS software and professional services for imaging centers that
streamline operations and accelerate productivity. These software solutions,
combined with professional services and training, automate the entire radiology
practice workflow to decrease report turnaround time, improve cash flow,
enhance patient care and improve the operational efficiency of imaging
services.
The RIS system provides efficient management of single or multi-site
imaging service operations, from scheduling and exam tracking to clinical
information archival, integrated billing, automated dictation/transcription,
mammography tracking and reporting, and radiologist reporting and
distribution. This is accomplished using industry-standard protocols that
provide for connectivity, integration and communication of patient data
throughout the single or multi-site imaging service operation. The
integration of the RIS and PACS functionality provides complete business and
clinical operational workflow for the imaging center, specialty clinic and
hospital markets.
During our recent period of business growth and strategic development,
we have consistently maintained a commitment to industry standards designed to
benefit both healthcare providers and technology vendors. Through our founder
and Chairman, William C. Mortimore, we have been a contributor to the
development of the industry's standard network communications protocol known
as Digital Imaging Communications in Medicine ("DICOM"), open medical standards
such as Health Level Seven, Inc. ("HL7"), and the Integrated Healthcare
Enterprise ("IHE") framework that has been created through an initiative
co-sponsored by the Radiological Society of North America ("RSNA") and the
Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society ("HIMSS"). The IHE
initiative represents a consortium of more than 30 companies in the Radiology
and Healthcare Information Systems fields. This set of requirements has
paved the way for healthcare organizations to begin in earnest to integrate
the complex workflow systems of the radiology department with the entire
healthcare system by using equipment and software applications that connect
the various image and communication components. We have incorporated these
standards in our radiology workflow technologies, software applications and
original equipment manufacturer ("OEM") connectivity components, establishing
the basis for seamless integration of images and healthcare information across
an organization's computing infrastructure.
Hospital radiology departments, diagnostic imaging centers, specialty
clinics and their patients benefit from our workflow solutions in a variety of
ways including:
* A single integrated software solution to access and utilize all
mission-critical business and clinical workflow tools designed to automate
operations, including digital dictation, billing, registration and
scheduling, productivity analysis, image and report management and storage
and distribution.
* Increased accuracy through real-time patient demographics matching across
all business and clinical workflow tools.
* More accountability and convenience in working with one vendor that develops,
installs and supports the entire spectrum of radiology workflow tools and
integration services.
* Creating permanent electronic archives of diagnostic-quality images to
enable the retrieval of these images and reports at any time in the future.
* Accessing our modular architecture of software products that allow radiology
departments, specialty clinics and diagnostic imaging centers to build their
workflow systems in a modular, flexible and cost-effective way.
* Networking of multiple image-producing and image-using devices to eliminate
duplication and reduce the need for capital equipment expenditures to build
digital image and information networks.
Business Strategy
We continue to build on our leadership position as a full solution
RIS/PACS solution provider through our reputation for customer service, our
expertise in radiology workflow integration, our technically innovative
products, our modular software solutions and our continued focus on
accelerating healthcare's productivity. This fully integrated, standards-based
radiology workflow solution enables radiology to integrate with the rest of the
healthcare enterprise. To continue achieving this goal, we are exercising the
financial and operational discipline necessary to attain the right combination
of resources, products and strategic partnerships. These efforts will
accelerate our ability to deploy and service a fully integrated radiology
workflow solution directly to the healthcare market and indirectly through
OEM/value added reseller ("VAR") partners.
During 2003, we focused on completing our integrated RIS/PACS, World
Wide Web ("web") distribution solution, strengthening our financial foundation,
enhancing our sales and distribution channels, leveraging the global brand
associated with the Merge, eFilm and RIS Logic names, and moving steadily
towards being recognized as a comprehensive radiology workflow solution
provider. In line with this tightly focused operational plan, we:
* Reached our 2003 financial goals, as is described in this report.
* Acquired and integrated RIS Logic, Inc. to complete its RIS/PACS
integrated solution.
* Expanded our healthcare RIS, PACS and RIS/PACS customer base to over
125.
* Expanded our sales and marketing resources to provide broader
coverage in North America.
* Enhanced our leadership structure to create focus on both North
American and International OEM/VAR business development.
* Formed several new VAR partnerships globally to expand our
distribution and service capabilities.
* Negotiated a $15 million unsecured line of credit, with broader
usage provisions.
* Raised $8 million through a non-public placement to further
strengthen our capital position.
* Moved our stock listing to the Nasdaq National Market.
* Continued transitioning to a global healthcare software and
services company.
The disciplined management of our resources, strong financial
foundation and comprehensive product offering with our RIS/PACS product line
has created momentum that we believe will increase throughout 2004. Future
growth will be driven by a continued concentration on the core aspects of our
business: targeted sales/marketing activities with broader geographic coverage
and product offerings, expanded international OEM/VAR relationships, product
innovation designed to enhance business and clinical workflow, exceptional
professional services and expanded strategic partnerships that complement our
internal efforts.
Essential to our business strategy is partnerships that contribute to
our product innovation efforts or expand the distribution of our products and
professional services. We launched tactics in 2002 to formalize a VAR
partnership program that entailed a selection, vetting, contracting and
training process. Our goal is to have partners in certain target markets
focused on distributing and servicing our FUSION(Trademark) software products.
Additionally, several technology partnerships were formed in 2002 and 2003,
designed to expand our product offering or enhance our existing products to
appeal to a specific market. An example of such a partnership is the VAR and
localization agreement with Infocom Corporation of Japan. Under this
agreement, Infocom Corporation localizes eFilm Workstation(Trademark) and
provides distribution and support services for eFilm in the Japanese market.
This relationship builds on over ten years of working with Infocom Corporation
and expands the reach of the most widely used diagnostic software desktop
product in the world - our eFilm Workstation(Trademark).
We continue to benefit from long-term and growing OEM/VAR partnerships
that have been in existence for over 15 years. Building on these relationships
is important to our future development. We anticipate expanding key OEM/VAR
relationships with existing customers to include a broader offering of our
FUSION(Trademark) radiology workflow products, well beyond our traditional
connectivity and development toolkits. These important long-term partnerships
represent an endorsement of the value of our component technologies and overall
customer satisfaction.
Products and Services
We have 195 employees and are a recognized leader in the design and
engineering of radiology workflow software solutions. We have assembled a
staff with deep expertise, global presence and a thorough understanding of
radiology workflow processes. We also have allocated resources to the design
and development of IHE concepts, which are gaining acceptance as the standard
for interoperability between imaging and healthcare information systems
throughout the healthcare enterprise.
Focusing product innovation around the functions related to radiology
image and information management is a hallmark of our product development
strategy. We view our expertise as developing software that manages the
people, modality, images and information workflow in such a way as to increase
productivity and reduce costs. Products in place and those in development are
applied to all aspects of the complex continuum of radiology business
(billing, scheduling, modality management, practice analysis), diagnostic
imaging studies (CT, MRI, x-ray, etc.) and the associated information that
touches the patient, integrating them to create a broad data set around a
single patient experience. The results are increased efficiency and
productivity, more time devoted to accurate analysis and diagnosis, improved
patient care because the waiting time from diagnosis to treatment is reduced
and all pertinent information is quickly and accurately provided to the primary
care giver from radiology in a single electronic report which can be accessed
wherever the physician is located.
Our product global presence and immersion into the creation of
radiology communications and open medical standards place us in a strong
position to monitor healthcare and technological forces that impact both
equipment and software application innovations for the radiology industry. In
addition, our established OEM/VAR relationships allow us to work with leading
modality manufacturers as they develop plans for new product introductions.
The product planning cycle is such that we can build on this knowledge and be
prepared to meet market demand at the appropriate time. This strategy is
allowing us to move our resources and attention to the development of software
applications that can be integrated into the broader continuum of radiology
workflow.
Our offerings fall into three distinct categories: connectivity and
component products; radiology workflow software applications; and professional
services. Our connectivity products continue to be our core competency to
maintain our market-leading position and long-term OEM/VAR relationships. We
continue our product innovation in this area in order to provide flexible,
state-of-the-art solutions to our OEM/VAR partners who incorporate these
products directly into their RIS or PACS solutions and/or new modality
equipment offerings. While the OEM/VAR relationships are central to the
distribution of these products, there is an equal interest from healthcare
organizations to purchase radiology workflow solutions, including connectivity
products, directly from us to complete their individual image management
strategies.
A strategic shift in product mix occurred in 2003 as we expanded our
product line through the acquisition of RIS Logic to include RIS within our
FUSION(Trademark) workflow solution suite. The software modules within FUSION
(Trademark) are designed to complete our fully integrated radiology workflow
system product line and are sold as individual modules or as a fully integrated
solution, depending on the needs of the customer. These software modules
consist of the following:
* FUSION RIS(Trademark)
----------------------
Our RIS module is a comprehensive Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act of 1996 ("HIPAA") supportive RIS product designed
with the help of clients to replicate radiology workflow "best
practices" within single site or multi-modality group practices. The
RIS Module allows clients to realize substantial improvements in
productivity by integrating information and automating traditional
manual or paper methods related to report turnaround, billing, claims
processing, and other mission-critical operational functions in a
practice. This automation reduces administrative workload, while
increasing patient, referring physician and employee satisfaction.
Additionally, the practice can uncover ways to reduce bottlenecks,
maximize profits and increase revenue through practice analysis
tools.
* FUSION PACS(Trademark)
-----------------------
FUSION PACS(Trademark) is an integrated repository of healthcare
information and a suite of software application modules that provide
PACS, teleradiology and web distribution on a single, integrated PACS
platform. FUSION PACS(Trademark) is the foundation for the following
integrated software application modules.
* FUSION(Trademark) Server Base Module. Provides database
management, security services, performance monitoring,
scalability and load balancing.
* FUSION(Trademark) Archive Module. Provides image and
information storage management and archiving through a
variety of storage devices such as RAID, NAS, SAN, tape,
DVD and CD.
* FUSION(Trademark) Image Visualization and Distribution Module.
Distributes images on-demand through wavelet streaming
technology, and provides desktop visualization tools with
unlimited access via network or the web.
* FUSION(Trademark) HIS/RIS Interface Module. Provides an
HL7 message interface between FUSION(Trademark) and the
hospital, imaging center or radiology information system.
This interface drives the workflow for technologists and
radiologists by integrating the patient's prior radiology
reports, and demographic and scheduled procedure information
with their medical images. This alleviates redundant data
entry and assures information accuracy.
* FUSION(Trademark) Radiologist Workspace Module. Provides an
integrated, worklist-driven workspace for the radiologist
including their customized "to do" list and diagnostic image
viewing and reading tools.
* FUSION(Trademark) Order Entry & Patient Registration Module.
Provides customers without a RIS basic automated entry of
new patient information and scheduling procedures. This
information drives the worklist activities for radiologists
and technicians. Additionally, this module, in combination
with our image visualization, can be used by referring
physicians to request patient information, view images and
report results.
* FUSION RIS/PACS(Trademark)
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Through our comprehensive integration approach, we have fused RIS
Logic's radiology information system workflow with our Image
Visualization, distribution and storage technologies into a unified,
intelligent, distributed business and clinical workflow solution
that helps our customers accelerate their productivity while also
providing a higher level of value and convenience. Radiologists,
technologists and administrators benefit from having a single
solution for their mission-critical business and clinical workflow
tools, integrated into a simpler, faster, unified desktop. The
RIS/PACS' distributed workflow capabilities allows the right study
to get to the right radiologist reading at the right location in the
fastest, most efficient way across our customer's network.
* eFilm Workstation(Trademark)
-----------------------------
eFilm Workstation(Trademark) is a diagnostic, image and analysis
tool for viewing and interpreting medical imaging. eFilm
Workstation(Trademark) is sold as stand-alone software that allows
radiologists to view and manipulate any digital diagnostic study, and
is integrated into FUSION's RIS/PACS(Trademark) and PACS as its
diagnostic workstation. eFilm Workstation(Trademark), sold via
eCommerce from our website and through VAR distributors, is the most
widely used diagnostic workstation in the world. eFilm visualization
technology is also used in FUSION(Trademark)'s Image Visualization
and Distribution Module and Radiologist Workspace Module.
We continue to develop our FUSION(Trademark) product line with both
new software modules and module upgrades scheduled for regular releases
throughout the year, consistent with historical practice of accelerating
the product innovation cycle and shortening the time from design to revenue
event.
Professional services are provided by our consultants, service
engineers and project managers and consist of training, advisory services,
solution design consulting, solution installation, project management, on-going
help desk and on-site service and medical standards validation to healthcare
organizations, healthcare professionals and medical equipment manufacturers.
Proprietary training materials are used to complement project planning,
management tools and diagnostic testing products. Annual customer service
packages are offered to meet the unique needs and configuration requirements of
each client. These service packages are priced according to service intensity
required and are reviewed annually to assure all customer needs are met. We
offer this suite of professional services on a global basis, with twenty-four
hours per day, seven days per week ("24/7") coverage through a combination of
remote and on-site delivery. Growing revenues from the sale of professional
services continues to be an important focal point for us as we embrace an
integrated customer service model and enhances product offerings with the
completion of our radiology workflow applications. In addition to professional
services personnel, we utilize a proprietary on-line technology designed to
proactively monitor the status of deployed FUSION(Trademark) solutions.
ViewCheck(Trademark) proactively monitors key elements of the FUSION(Trademark)
modules, captures statistics and routes alarms to our service division for
prompt attention. This service is core to our ability to provide a level of
assurance and 24/7 coverage to our full FUSION(Trademark) solution customers
as they rely on our products and services to run their operations.
Markets and Customers
Healthcare providers continue to be challenged by declining
reimbursements, competition and reduced operating profits brought about by the
double-digit increases in healthcare expenditures. Our customers focus on
strong business management of their healthcare delivery organizations. Key
areas of emphasis are high quality diagnostic and treatment protocols for the
care of the patients in their communities and operational efficiencies to
increase patient satisfaction, address patient safety concerns and mitigate
rising costs. The expenditures to re-tool the infrastructure of healthcare
are significant and are directed at making more comprehensive use of the
advances in medical technology and telecommunications. This is seen as a cost
effective means to reach optimum efficiency and market their services to the
broadest population. Radiology image and information management (RIS and PACS
solutions) plays a central role in the revamping of the healthcare delivery
system.
* RIS is a specialized system that supports radiology charge capture
and billing, storage of patient data, scheduling and reporting.
* PACS is an image storage, retrieval, and viewing system for x-ray,
CT, MRI, nuclear medicine and ultrasound. Users are linked with
display workstations over a high-speed network to an image server,
archives and printers. Customers use the PACS to store, view,
manage, and distribute images and reports.
* The combined RIS/PACS supports complete operational management of a
single or multi-site imaging center. For hospitals, when integrated
with their hospital information system, also known as HIS, the
RIS/PACS provides all the information and images necessary for
complete digital workflow, both clinical and operational. This
integrated combination is the comprehensive solution that we provide
to our customers' imaging centers and hospitals.
The Merge eFilm Market
Within the United States of America, we are focusing our direct sales
efforts on single and multi-site imaging centers with more than 10,000 studies
per year, small to medium sized hospitals (less than 400 beds) and certain
specialty clinics like orthopedic practices that offer imaging services. The
Frost and Sullivan 2002 survey indicated that less than 30% of those markets
are currently using a PACS to achieve a film-less workflow environment and an
even smaller percentage has a fully integrated RIS/PACS delivering film-less
and paperless workflow.
This market represents a segment of healthcare providers that desires
imaging modality connectivity and the integration of radiology workflow,
particularly as it relates to communicating throughout the healthcare
enterprise and over long distances. This market has historically been
underserved by image management and radiology system companies due to the
high cost of traditional hardware centric and proprietary RIS and PACS
solutions. To capitalize on this under served market, our focus is on
providing flexible radiology workflow solutions with modular software, with a
phased-in approach that allows for meeting short-term needs quickly and
offering additional products to complete the film-less radiology workflow
solution over time. Approximately 75% of our existing customers are part
of the imaging center or small to medium sized hospital market segment.
While our RIS and PACS solutions are used by several large healthcare
facilities demonstrating the scalability of the software products, the
primary focus for new business development is in the market segment
previously described. We believe there is substantial room for growing
market share with new customers, and for additional product sales to
existing customers, especially the over 40,000 clinical users of eFilm
Workstation(Trademark).
The eFilm Workstation(Trademark) market presence and installed base is
a primary target for our direct sales activities, with the introduction of
FUSION(Trademark) as the next logical step in deploying an integrated film-less
workflow solution. In 2003, we accelerated the distribution of eFilm
Workstation(Trademark) as both a revenue annuity product offering and a
marketing tool to further expand our presence. Leads and revenues generated
by this strategy exceeded our expectations in 2003 and will continue to be a
core component of our marketing and sales activities in 2004.
We place a strong emphasis on sustaining our reputation for high
quality services and well-engineered products. We maintain strict compliance
with the tenets of the international quality standards under the International
Standards Organization ("ISO") with our ISO 9001 certification, and its
European medical device quality systems standard comparable counterpart
certification, EN 46001. The certifications cover our product development
activities, manufacturing and service in the United States of America, and
European service operations. Ongoing activities related to the ISO standard
are a reflection of our commitment to maintaining service and product quality
for our customers. We are currently expanding our certification efforts to
include ISO 13485 and 13488, further demonstrating our ongoing commitment to
quality processes that translate into internal efficiencies and quality
products for our customers.
Several independent market studies have been conducted, the results of
which supported the significant market opportunity in RIS, PACS and RIS/PACS
solutions. A recent study by Frost & Sullivan estimates that within the
decade, annual expenditures for electronic image and information management
systems, or PACS, will be approximately $1.1 billion. The Concord Consulting
Group has released data which indicates that, with service and upgrades, the
total PACS and teleradiology market will exceed $2.7 billion annually. In
addition, the Technology Marketing Group study estimated that expenditures
for RIS were approximately $220 million in 2001, growing at over 20%
annually. Of this RIS market, more than 60% of our target market segment
indicated they would acquire new systems. Driving these expenditures is the
realization that approximately 15% to 18% of the diagnostic imaging procedures
are processed digitally, with the remaining portion still produced on film.
Market studies indicate an acceleration in converting the healthcare
diagnostic imaging setting to digital workflow now that modular, integrated
and cost effective software solutions running on industry standard computer
hardware like those offered by us are now available.
Additional studies indicate that the money being spent by healthcare
organizations for these technologies is increasing 18% to 20% annually, with
European data suggesting an annual growth rate of 20% to 25%. Our strategy
is to provide a full suite of radiology workflow solutions to our target
market and our existing client base of thousands of healthcare facilities,
and to deliver functionality and value that taps into this combined RIS/PACS
$1.3 billion annual market.
Sales, Marketing and Distribution
We use a multi-channel approach to reach our target customers. Over
the last three years, we have invested in building an international sales
force to increase our market presence among both our OEM/VAR and healthcare
end-user customers, with particular emphasis on imaging centers and small to
medium sized hospitals. Our sales staff has extensive experience in radiology
and diagnostic imaging services and has the ability to work in a consultative
manner to design and customize the right solution for each customer.
Expanding our OEM/VAR partnerships is an important strategy to our
sales success. We continued to add new international VAR distributors in
2003. The International VAR channel is a core focus area for us in 2004 as
we look to grow our business. Our direct sales force continues to focus on
healthcare customers in the small to medium size hospital market and imaging
centers, where our software solutions create compelling value propositions.
Our professional services group, which provides pre-sale assistance as well as
post-sale project management, was expanded this year with the acquisition of
RIS Logic.
Continued visibility in the marketplace is also important to our
overall marketing strategy. We expanded our marketing activities in 2003 to
coincide with the acquisition of RIS Logic, positioning us as a full solution
provider. This allowed us to leverage the extensive installed base of Merge
and RIS Logic customers. We have successfully touched thousands of current
and prospective customers through a core strategy of proactive electronic
marketing, utilizing the email database provided through eFilm Workstation
(Trademark) downloads, that now numbers over 40,000. This form of creating
market awareness, generating leads and following up on our historical customer
base is expected to continue in 2004. In addition, we regularly participate
in major radiology and healthcare information system industry trade shows.
The trade show, RSNA 2003 which was held in Chicago, Illinois, was a highly
visible launch for our newly combined company, our new product offerings and
our value proposition for direct end-user customers and VAR partners. We
were very pleased with the reception at the trade show and generated a 60%
increase in inquiries and leads compared to 2002. Finally, our ongoing
participation in the IHE initiative and radiology industry panels regarding
open communications and medical standards is an added opportunity to maintain
our thought-leader position, which is recognized by the healthcare industry
and enables us to demonstrate our value on many levels.
The value proposition to our customers is aimed at improving their
efficiency and quality of patient care while reducing cost. We emphasize how
the implementation of various radiology workflow strategies reduces operational
costs. Cost savings are attributed to a reduction of the cycle of time
involved in acquiring, interpreting and distributing diagnostic studies. This
time efficiency improves patient care through increasing the speed with which
the radiologist and primary caregiver can discuss diagnostic findings and
institute appropriate treatment. Additionally, our systems can enhance
revenue due to increased referral activity from primary care physicians and
increased accuracy of radiology billing and coding.
Competition
The markets for our products are highly competitive. Many customers
purchase products from us and from our competitors as well. Competition is
present from current OEM partners who can offer RIS and PACS products similar
to our solutions. Analyzing the competitive environment by product line is
illustrative of our perspective and our strategies to mitigate the impact of
competition on our sales or market penetration.
Our historical connectivity solutions product line has been a mainstay
which pioneered our development. The products are either retrofit products
(e.g. Merge Boxes) or OEM toolkits which enable the diagnostic imaging device
in question to digitize their images and deliver them over the IHE network.
The competitive danger to this product today is that it is readily available
and largely incorporated into most imaging modalities. We view our value-added
services, global operations, recognized brand and engineering strength as the
way to protect our market share in this area. In addition, we have adopted an
approach to engineering these products into the OEM's medical device through
cross-platform standard-based software that features a proprietary Application
Program Interface ("API") that protects our intellectual capital. Upgrades to
our products are continuous as changes are made by the radiology industry in
the DICOM and HL7 standards. Our customers can receive full benefit of these
upgrades through annual service contracts.
In the developing area of RIS and PACS workflow applications, there
are many newly emerging competitors who offer portions of the integrated
radiology solution through their RIS and PACS to the market targeted by us.
Additionally, certain competitors are integrating RIS and PACS technologies
through development, partnership and acquisition activities.
We rely on our 17 years experience in working in all aspects of the
radiology industry, our strong customer relations and our growing healthcare
customer base as barriers to losing our market potential for our fully
integrated solution. We also rely on our global brand and historical
installation base as the market leader in connectivity products (Merge Boxes)
and desktop software image viewing applications, eFilm Workstation(Trademark).
Our installed base and our reputation for clinical and technical quality and
superior service are key differentiators from the competition. In addition,
the FUSION(Trademark), RIS, PACS and RIS/PACS software modular approach to
implementing a customized, fully integrated solution is appealing to our
target market and is the foundation of our approach to this emerging area.
Many of the current and potential competitors have greater resources
than us, including greater financial wherewithal, research and development,
intellectual property and marketing. Many of these competitors may also have
broader product lines and longer standing relationships with customers. Our
ability to compete successfully depends on a number of factors both within and
outside our control, including: product innovation; product quality and
performance; price; experienced sales, marketing and service professionals;
rapid development of new products and features; continued active involvement
in the development of DICOM and other medical communication standards; and
product and policy decisions announced by competitors. There can be no
assurance that we will be able to compete successfully.
Intellectual Property Rights
We have received and maintain United States Patent No. 5,740,428
dated April 14, 1998, United States Patent No. 5,950,207 dated September 7,
1999 and Australia Patent No. 704804 dated August 12, 1999. However, we do
not rely solely on patent protection with respect to our products. Instead,
we rely on a combination of copyright and trade secret laws, employee and
third party confidentiality agreements and other measures to protect
intellectual property rights pertaining to our systems and technology.
Medical, Regulatory and Government Standards and Reforms
The healthcare industry is subject to changing political, economic and
regulatory influences that may affect the procurement practices and operation
of the entire healthcare industry. Proposals to reform the United States of
America healthcare system have been, and will continue to be, considered by
the United States of America Congress. We embrace the general philosophy that
we will accept and utilize all appropriate industry standards in the
development of our product and service offerings. We have positioned ourselves
to assist our customers in the utilization, implementation, and adherence of
most major radiology standards and regulations. We, however, cannot predict
with any certainty what impact, if any, new proposals, healthcare reforms or
standards might have on the business, our financial condition and our results
of operations.
The following are examples of some of the environmental issues,
standards and regulations that we monitor and prepare ourselves to address
to protect our enterprise and that of our customers:
* HIPAA has mandated the use of standard transactions and identifiers,
prescribed security measures and other provisions designed to
simplify and secure the exchange of medical information. The
compliance dates for initial phases of the requirements phase into
effect beginning on April 14, 2003 and continue through 2005. We
are taking the necessary measures to help enable our customers to
meet HIPAA compliance.
* The United States of America Food and Drug Administration, which is
responsible for assuring the safety and effectiveness of medical
devices under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, has regulatory
jurisdiction over computer software applications when they are
labeled or intended to be used in the diagnosis of disease or other
conditions.
* International sales of products outside the United States of America
are subject to foreign regulatory requirements that can vary from
country to country.
* Laws and regulations may be adopted to address Internet commerce
such as online content, user privacy, pricing and characteristics
and quality of applications and services.
* The tax treatment of the Internet and eCommerce is currently
unsettled.
We continue to allocate internal resources to industry standards
committees and working groups who are tasked with setting and promoting both
technology and functionality standards within the diagnostic imaging and
healthcare information systems markets. Participating in IHE and a variety of
DICOM working groups specializing in HIPAA, HL7 and other standards helps to
ensure that our products and services align with the efforts of these
committees and meet the evolving interoperability needs of healthcare
technologies.
Item 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTIES
- --------------------------------------------
Our principal facilities are located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in an
approximately 27,000 square foot office leased through June 2005 at a rate of
approximately $300,000 per year. We also lease a sales, administrative and
service support office in Nuenen, the Netherlands, a professional services and
engineering office in Toronto, Canada, a sales and engineering office in
Hudson, Ohio, and a sales office in Tokyo, Japan.
Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
- ----------------------------------
On October 24, 2003, ScheduleQuest, Inc. filed a patent infringement
lawsuit (Civil Action No. 03-5900) against us alleging that our "RIS Logic CS
Scheduling System" product infringes upon their United States of America Patent
No. 6,389,454 for their "Multi-Facility Appointment Scheduling System"
product. We cannot currently predict the outcome of the litigation or the
amount of any potential loss if our defense is unsuccessful. Our merger
agreement with RIS Logic contains a representation that the RIS Logic
technology does not infringe others' proprietary rights and 173,093 shares of
our Common Stock conveyed to the former RIS Logic owners are in an escrow
holdback to cover any claims of breach of representation or warranty. We
believe that all the claims in the lawsuit are without merit and we intend to
vigorously defend against such claims. However, we cannot provide any
assurances as to the outcome of this litigation or whether the escrow
holdback will be adequate to satisfy any costs, expenses or losses that we
may incur in connection with such litigation.
Item 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
We did not submit any matters to our shareholders for their vote
during the fourth quarter of 2003.
PART II
---------
Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Our Common Stock commenced trading on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market on
January 29, 1998, under the symbol MRGE. On June 3, 2003, our Common Stock
commenced trading on the Nasdaq National Market.
The following table sets forth for the periods indicated, the high
and low closing sale prices of our Common Stock as reported by Nasdaq:
Common Stock Market Prices
--------------------------
2003 4th Quarter 3rd Quarter 2nd Quarter 1st Quarter
------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
High........ $19.900 $20.210 $13.620 $ 8.840
Low......... $16.050 $12.380 $ 6.000 $ 6.000
2002
-------------
High........ $ 7.920 $ 6.650 $ 9.080 $ 7.250
Low......... $ 3.670 $ 3.840 $ 5.791 $ 3.740
According to the transfer agent's records, we have 254 stockholders of
record of Common Stock as of March 12, 2004. As of the same date, we estimate
that there are in excess of 4,475 beneficial holders of our Common Stock.
Dividend Policy
We have not paid any cash dividends on our Common Stock since
formation. We currently do not intend to declare or pay any cash dividends on
our Common Stock in the foreseeable future.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2003,
with respect to shares of our Common Stock that may be issued under an existing
equity compensation plan adopted by our Board of Directors for the acquisition
of RIS Logic. The table does not include employee benefit plans intended to
meet the qualification requirements of Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue
Code. All equity compensation plans are described more fully in Note 8 to our
consolidated financial statements.
Plan Category
Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Number of Securities Weighted-Average Future Issuance under
to be Issued upon Exercise Exercise Price of Equity Compensation
of Outstanding Options, Outstanding Options, Plans Excluding Securities
Warrants and Rights Warrants and Rights Reflected in Column (a)
(a) (b) (c)
Equity compensation plans
Approved by security holders.. ------ ------ ------
Equity compensation plans not
Approved by security holders.. 169,427 $ 13.66 23,803
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total.......................... 169,427 $ 13.66 23,803
============================================================================
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities During 2003
During the fourth quarter of 2003, we sold no shares of our Common
Stock in transactions not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act").
Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
- -----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003 2002 2001 2000 1999
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands, except for share and per share data)
Statements of Earnings Data:
- ------------------------------
Net Sales..................... $ 28,677 $ 20,786 $ 15,741 $ 12,613 $ 13,300
Operating income (loss)....... 7,001 3,644 1,296 (5,505) (2,759)
Income (loss) before income
Taxes........................ 6,899 3,708 1,358 (5,644) (2,726)
Income tax expense............ 660 79 87 63 173
Net income (loss)............. 6,239 3,629 1,271 (5,707) (2,899)
Earnings (loss) per share:
- ------------------------------
Basic......................... $ 0.53 $ 0.38 $ 0.17 $ (1.01) $ (0.51)
Diluted....................... 0.49 0.33 0.15 (1.01) (0.51)
Weighted average shares
Outstanding:
- ------------------------------
Basic......................... 11,566,054 8,840,059 6,178,821 5,792,945 5,778,225
Diluted....................... 12,586,900 10,383,651 7,310,731 5,792,945 5,778,225
Balance Sheet Data:
- ------------------------------
Working capital............... 18,236 7,872 2,628 262 4,323
Total assets.................. 61,908 27,246 10,056 9,526 13,229
Long-term obligations......... ---- 167 159 180 166
Stockholders' equity.......... 53,523 21,683 6,169 3,753 8,964
Item 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATION
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special Note on Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this report that are not historical facts
constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act,
and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"). Discussions containing such forward-looking statements may
be included herein in the material set forth under Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, as well as within
this report generally. In addition, when used in this report, the words:
believes, intends, anticipates, expects and similar expressions are intended to
identify forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to a number
of risks and uncertainties, including, among others, our lack of consistent
profitability, fluctuations in operating results, credit and payment risks
associated with end-user sales, involvement with rapidly developing technology
in highly competitive markets, acquisition and development of new technologies,
dependence on major customers, expansion of our international sales effort,
broad discretion of management and dependence on key personnel, risks
associated with product liability and product defects, risks of loss associated
with potential infringement of our products or services on the intellectual
property rights of others, costs of complying with government regulation,
changes in external competitive market factors which might impact trends in
our results of operation, unanticipated working capital and other cash
requirements, general changes in the industries in which we compete, and
various other competitive factors that may prevent us from competing
successfully in the marketplace. Actual results could differ materially from
those projected in the forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation
to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking
statements that may be made to reflect any future events or circumstances.
Overview
We started operations in 1987 and are a leading provider of PACS and
RIS software to imaging centers, small and medium sized hospitals, and PACS
component and connectivity technologies to many OEM's throughout the world. We
have been an active leader in the development in the industry standard DICOM
technology which defines the standard configuration for digital imaging. DICOM
is used by virtually all OEM's building modalities for healthcare.
Our products fuse business and clinical workflow by intelligently
managing and distributing diagnostic images and information throughout the
healthcare enterprise. By utilizing our products, our customers enhance the
quality of healthcare provided to patients because they improve radiology
workflow efficiencies and improve the clinical decision making processes. In
addition, our products reduce the film, paper and labor costs involved in
managing and distributing medical images and information, thereby contributing
to the profitability of our customers' businesses. We deliver this tangible
value to facilities of all sizes, but we specifically target imaging centers,
small to medium size hospitals, multi-hospital groups, and specialty clinics.
Healthcare providers continue to be challenged by declining
reimbursements, competition and reduced operating profits brought about by the
double-digit increases in healthcare expenditures. Within the United States of
America, we are focusing our direct sales efforts on single and multi-site
imaging centers with more than 10,000 studies per year, small to medium sized
hospitals (less than 400 beds); and certain specialty clinics like orthopedic
practices that offer imaging services. The Frost and Sullivan 2002 survey
indicated that less than 30% of those markets are currently using a PACS to
achieve a film-less workflow environment and an even smaller percentage has a
fully integrated RIS/PACS delivering film-less and paperless workflow.
The markets for our products are highly competitive. Many customers
purchase products from us and from our competitors as well. Our historical
connectivity solutions product line has been the mainstay, which pioneered our
development. The competitive challenge is that similar products are readily
available and the connectivity products are incorporated into most imaging
modalities. In the developing area of RIS and PACS workflow applications,
there are many newly emerging competitors who offer portions of the integrated
radiology solution through their RIS and PACS to the market targeted by us.
Additionally, certain competitors are integrating RIS and PACS technologies
through development, partnership and acquisition activities. We rely on our
global brand and historical installation base as the market leader in
connectivity products and desktop software image viewing applications, eFilm
Workstation(Trademark). This installed base, reputation for clinical and
technical quality and long-term service is a key differentiator among the
competition. In addition, our software modular approach to implementing a
customized, fully integrated solution is appealing to our target market and
is the foundation of our approach.
We have aggressively expanded our product offering, especially in the
past two years, through our acquisitions of eFilm and RIS Logic. We became a
PACS company in June 2002 through our acquisition of eFilm which provided the
visualization platform, which when combined with our existing PACS components,
allowed us to release our first integrated PACS system for the small and
medium sized hospital and imaging center market. The eFilm Workstation
(Trademark) also is the core to our strategy to "own" the clinician desktop
market. We sell our eFilm Workstation(tm) on the Internet, for a small annual
subscription. This strategy allows radiologists or clinicians reluctant to
move to reading images digitally, to do so easily and very inexpensively,
particularly relative to other similar clinical diagnostic tools on the
market. This strategy also positions us to be the PACS system of choice for
that healthcare system.
Our July 2003 acquisition of RIS Logic allowed us to become one of the
first providers of integrated RIS/PACS solutions in our target market. We saw
this as a growing need of our target market. The integrated RIS/PACS solution
positions us to fundamentally own the technology necessary to run an imaging
center by having PACS deliver film-less workflow and a RIS deliver paperless
workflow. We see these products as core elements behind our 2002 and 2003
revenue and profit growth, and will be critical to our success in achieving
our 2004 forecast.
2003 Accomplishments
During 2003, we focused on five initiatives: expand our product line
to become a leading provider of RIS/PACS software solutions; provide our target
market customers with a single source for clinical and business workflow
solutions; expand our direct sales and marketing activities in North America;
develop new OEM/VAR partnerships in the United States of America, Europe and
Japan; and strengthen our financial position to support continued growth and
strategic initiatives.
The acquisition and rapid integration of RIS Logic, consistent with
our acquisition methodology first used with eFilm, resulted in another
significant expansion of our product portfolio and operational capabilities.
Our unified brand and single company approach to our target market increased
demand for our software solutions during the fourth quarter, resulting in 24
new RIS, PACS or RIS/PACS contracts. Our customer base grew to over 130,
representing more than 280 healthcare facilities. Of particular importance
were the five integrated RIS/PACS solution sales in the fourth quarter,
bringing the total to seven since the RIS Logic acquisition. We continue to
see accelerating interest from our target market for a comprehensive workflow
solution from a single, trusted solutions provider.
Our product innovation roadmap focused on the integration of radiology
business and clinical workflow for the purpose of accelerating productivity in
imaging centers, hospitals and clinics. We released new versions of our
FUSION RIS(Trademark) and FUSION PACS(Trademark), and completed clinical trials
for embedded dictation, transcription and speech recognition. We released a
new version of eFilm Workstation(Trademark) to our customers, which focused on
adding clinical tools and productivity enhancing features. As the most widely
used diagnostic desktop software in the world, eFilm Workstation(Trademark)
reached a record 40,000 downloads in 2003, and is a growing source of sales
leads for our FUSION RIS/PACS(Trademark) solutions.
We continue to benefit from an international approach to new business
development and the distribution of our solutions through multiple sales
channels. We expanded our direct sales team to 24 employees, more than
doubling its size from 2002. Our professional services group has expanded both
in size and capabilities in line with our growing volume of RIS, PACS and
RIS/PACS implementations and our increasing number of extended service
contracts. Our strong integration expertise, developed over 17 years working
with OEM's and healthcare information technology providers, distinguishes us
from our competitors. Internationally, we have increased the number of
countries in which our products are sold, expanded the number of our VARs
globally, and strengthened our VAR relationships in the United Kingdom. These
efforts in Europe and Asia further established us as an international RIS/PACS
solution provider.
Our financial strength continues to support both strategic and
operational business growth initiatives. We established a $15 million
unsecured line of credit, increased from $5 million in 2002, and increased
our cash position to $16.9 million. Our institutional ownership increased
to more than 40%, up from 12% at the beginning of 2003, due in part to our
July non-public placement in which we raised $8 million and our move to the
Nasdaq National Market.
The market is experiencing growth in new imaging centers, spurred by
entrepreneurial radiologists and hospitals looking to improve services to
referring physicians and patients. According to industry studies, total
imaging procedure volume has increased over 17% and imaging study data sets
are growing rapidly with the advent of new digital multi-slice technologies.
Furthermore, these studies suggest continued growth in capital spending as
healthcare moves toward full digitization of patient care records. The Bank
of America Securities 2003 Hospital CIO Survey indicated that 58% of the
hospital chief information officers would be purchasing a PACS in the next
3 years. With the economic advantages of a film-less and paperless workflow
environment yielding a short payback period, our strategies in 2003 were well
aligned to meet market conditions, and we anticipate that alignment to
strengthen in 2004 and beyond.
Our strategic and operational initiatives for 2004 will build on our
business and financial accomplishments of 2003. Specifically, we intend to
further accelerate our growth in full solution RIS/PACS customers through
investments in sales, marketing and professional services. We plan to expand
our business development efforts to other clinical specialties that now offer
imaging services and expand our international sales efforts to support the
growth of our VAR partnerships in Europe and Asia. Finally, we intend to
continue focusing on imaging centers and small to medium sized hospitals
where our comprehensive integrated workflow solution from a single source
delivers a compelling value proposition.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, expect for share and per share data)
Year Ended December 31, 2003, Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2002
Net Sales.
- -----------
Net sales increased 38% to $28,677 in 2003 from $20,786 in 2002. Net
sales for 2003 include the results of our acquisition of RIS Logic on July 17,
2003 and net sales for 2002 include the results from our acquisition of eFilm
on June 28, 2002. Net sales consist of sales made directly to healthcare
facilities, sales made to OEM/VARs and the professional services associated
with those sales, net of estimated product returns.
Net sales of products and software made directly to healthcare
facilities increased 35% to $8,470 in 2003 from $6,264 in 2002. Our sales in
2003 were impacted by our determination that in certain RIS and RIS/PACS sales
where our services were deemed to be essential to the functionality of the
software, revenue is deferred and recognized in the consolidated statement of
operations as the services are provided. The deferred revenue associated with
these contracts is included in our balance sheet under current liabilities as
"Billings in excess of revenue - contracts in process," which amounted to
$1,381. In addition, 2003 net sales were reduced by $430 because of a product
return associated with a third quarter 2002 sale.
We are continuing our strategic objective that we began in late 2000
to further growth of sales made directly to healthcare facilities and imaging
centers. We intend to accomplish this by hiring additional sales staff in this
area and continuing our established marketing programs highlighting to
potential customers the technological and economic benefits of our product and
service offerings.
Net sales to OEM/VARs and dealers increased 18% to $12,683 in 2003 from
$10,787 in 2002. We anticipate continued growth in the OEM/VAR group, although
at a lower percentage than sales to direct channels and the professional
services group.
Net sales from the professional services group increased 101% to $7,524
in 2003 from $3,735 in 2002. The net sales growth from the professional
services group has been tied to the growth in sales made directly to healthcare
facilities and imaging centers, where such sales are accompanied by
installation services and service contracts, and to the added value of the
acquisition of RIS Logic, completed in July of 2003, and the acquisition of
eFilm, completed in June of 2002.
We anticipate net sales from the professional services group to
continue to grow as part of the overall growth in the sales made directly to
healthcare facilities and imaging centers. Given our sales growth during 2003
and our assessment of the market, we believe information technology spending
on new technologies by our targeted customer base will continue to grow. Based
upon this expected demand and customer receptiveness to our suite of products,
we are forecasting sales in 2004 to increase by 30% to 35%, largely driven by
sales made directly to healthcare facilities and imaging centers and the
related services to be provided related to these customers.
Cost of Sales.
- ---------------
Cost of sales decreased as a percentage of net sales to 31% in 2003
from 38% in 2002. Cost of sales consists of purchased components, service
costs associated with revenues, amortization of purchased and developed
software and acquired customer contracts.
The cost of purchased components decreased as a percentage of net
sales to 13% in 2003 from 24% in 2002. This decrease in the cost of purchased
components as a percentage of net sales is due primarily to our sales mix,
which consists of a greater percentage of higher margin products and services
and reduced component costs.
Service costs associated with revenues increased to $3,258 in 2003
from $1,768 in 2002. The increase is due to our acquisitions of RIS Logic
and eFilm and additional service department staff.
Amortization of purchased and developed software increased to $2,046
or 7% of net sales in 2003 from $1,344 or 6% of net sales in 2002. The
increase is due to the commencement of amortization on software available
for general release and the amortization of the intellectual property and
customer contracts related to the acquisitions of RIS Logic and eFilm.
Gross Profit.
- --------------
Gross profit increased 54% to $19,707 in 2003 from $12,788 in 2002.
As a percentage of net sales, gross profit increased to 69% of net sales in
2003 compared to 62% in 2002. We implemented a number of initiatives to
improve gross profit in 2002 and 2003, including the acquisitions of RIS Logic
and eFilm, increasing sales made directly to healthcare facilities, targeted
price increases, reductions in component costs and a gradual shift in product
mix to higher margin software applications. We are forecasting gross margins
will remain in the 68% to 69% range in 2004.
Sales and Marketing.
- ---------------------
Sales and marketing expense increased 52% to $6,543 in 2003 from
$4,305 in 2002. The increase is due to the acquisition of RIS Logic,
commissions associated with increased sales and our investment in sales and
marketing activities and staff count in order to grow net sales.
Product Research and Development.
- ----------------------------------
Research and development expense increased 27% to $2,063 in 2003
from $1,620 in 2002. We anticipate research and development costs will
continue to increase in 2004 as we increase our new product development,
particularly related to developing our FUSION(Trademark) application modules
and integrating our RIS/PACS technologies. Capitalization of software
development costs increased $824 to $2,674 in 2003 from $1,850 in 2002.
The increase in capitalized software development is a result of
commercialization of technologies acquired in the eFilm acquisition, the
integration of RIS Logic technology and the release of new products for
revenue generation.
General and Administrative.
- ----------------------------
General and administrative expense increased 38% to $3,527 in 2003
from $2,553 in 2002. The increase is mainly due to the acquisition of RIS
Logic, increases in staff count and professional fees related to compliance
with the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002. General and administrative expense
includes costs for information systems, accounting, administrative support,
management personnel, bad debt expenses and general corporate matters. We
anticipate increasing our general and administrative costs in 2004 to
support revenue growth, and compliance with portions of the Sarbanes - Oxley
Act of 2002 and new National Association of Securities Dealers' rules that
become effective in 2004.
Depreciation and Amortization.
- -------------------------------
Depreciation and amortization expense increased 11% or $55 to $573 in
2003 from $518 in 2002. The increase is primarily due to the increased
investment in capital equipment during 2003. Depreciation and amortization is
assessed on capital equipment and intangible assets with estimable useful
lives. This is net of amortization of capitalized software of $2,046 and
$1,344 in 2003 and 2002, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense
is expected to increase in 2004 as we increase our investment to support our
growth.
Other Income, Expense.
- ------------------------
During 2003, we increased our cash balance 282% to $16,871 from
$4,411, resulting in an increase in interest income to $100 in 2003 compared
to interest income of $50 in 2002. The increase in interest income was
relatively small compared to the increase in our cash balance due to declining
interest rates. Other expense, net, was $184 in 2003, compared to other
income, net in 2002 of $36. The increase in other expense, net, is primarily
due to unrealized foreign exchange losses on United States of America Dollar
receivables and cash held in our Canadian subsidiary, where the functional
currency is the Canadian Dollar.
Income Taxes.
- --------------
We recorded an income tax expense of $660 in 2003 and $79 in 2002. Our
effective tax rate increased to 10% in 2003. We have historically recorded a
valuation allowance against deferred tax assets associated with certain net
operating losses and tax credits. We determined that based upon a number of
factors including our profitability for the past three years, our profit
outlook for 2004, and the relative long period of time before the remaining
net operating losses and tax credits expire, that no valuation allowance was
required at December 31, 2003. For 2004, we have forecasted our consolidated
effective income tax rate to be 38% to 40%.
Year Ended December 31, 2002, Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2001
Net Sales.
- -----------
Net sales increased 32% to $20,786 in 2002 from $15,741 in 2001. Net
sales consisted of sales made directly to healthcare facilities, sales made to
OEM/VARs and the professional services associated with those sales.
Net sales of products and software made directly to healthcare
facilities increased 114% to $6,264 in 2002 from $2,922 in 2001. We continued
our strategic objective that we began in late 2000, to further growth of sales
made directly to healthcare facilities and imaging centers. We accomplished
this by hiring additional sales staff in this area and by continuing our
established marketing programs to highlight to potential customers the
technological and economic benefits of our product and service offerings.
Net sales to OEM/VARs and dealers increased 2% to $10,787 in 2002 from
$10,534 in 2001.
Net sales from the professional services group increased 63% to $3,735
in 2002 from $2,285 in 2001. The net sales growth from the professional
services group has been tied to the growth in sales made directly to
healthcare facilities and imaging centers, where such sales were accompanied
by installation services and service contracts, and to the added value of the
acquisition of eFilm completed in June of 2002.
Cost of Sales.
- ---------------
Cost of sales consisted of purchased components, service costs
associated with revenues, amortization of purchased and developed software and
customer contracts.
The cost of purchased components decreased as a percentage of net sales
to 24% in 2002 from 28% in 2001. This decrease in the cost of purchased
components as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to our sales mix in
2002, which consisted of a greater percentage of higher margin products and
services and reduced component costs.
Service costs associated with revenues increased to $1,768 in 2002
from $1,208 in 2001. The increase was due to our acquisition of eFilm and
additional service department staff.
Amortization of purchased and developed software increased to $1,344
or 6% of net sales in 2002 from $773 or 5% of net sales in 2001. The increase
was due to the commencement of amortization on software available for general
release and the amortization of the intellectual property and customer
contracts related to the acquisition of eFilm.
As a result of the eFilm acquisition on June 28, 2002, for 2002, we
presented costs associated with service revenues as a component of cost of
sales. All prior periods compared have been reclassified to conform to
this presentation.
Gross Profit.
- --------------
Gross profit increased 35% to $12,788 in 2002 from $9,480 in 2001. As
a percentage of net sales, gross profit increased to 62% of net sales in 2002
compared to 60% in 2001. We implemented a number of initiatives to improve
gross profit in 2002, including the acquisition of eFilm, increasing sales
made directly to healthcare facilities, targeted price increases, reductions
in component costs and a gradual shift in product mix to higher margin
software applications.
Sales and Marketing.
- --------------------
Sales and marketing expense increased 33% to $4,305 in 2002 from
$3,227 in 2001. The increase was the result of our objective to invest in
sales and marketing activities and staff count in order to grow net sales.
Product Research and Development.
- ----------------------------------
Research and development expense decreased 13% to $1,620 in 2002 from
$1,870 in 2001. We anticipated research and development costs would increase
in 2003 as we increased our new product development and finished our efforts
to commercialize products acquired in the eFilm acquisition. The decrease
was due primarily to an increase in capitalization of costs related to
software development. Capitalization of software development costs
increased $414 to $1,850 in 2002 from $1,436 in 2001. The increase in
capitalized software development was a direct result of focusing engineering
resources on modular software development designed to accelerate the
development cycle, commercialization of technologies acquired in the eFilm
acquisition and the release of new product for revenue generation.
General and Administrative.
- ----------------------------
General and administrative expense increased 12% to $2,553 in 2002
from $2,286 in 2001. The majority of the increase was due to an increase in
allowance for bad debts of $116. General and administrative expense includes
costs for information systems, accounting, administrative support, management
personnel, bad debt expenses and general corporate matters.
Depreciation and Amortization.
- -------------------------------
Depreciation and amortization expense decreased 32% or $247 to $518 in
2002 from $765 in 2001. The decrease was primarily due to certain assets
becoming fully depreciated and the discontinuation of amortization of
goodwill. Depreciation and amortization was assessed on capital equipment and
intangible assets with estimable useful lives. This was net of amortization of
capitalized software of $1,344 and $773 in 2002 and 2001, respectively.
Restructuring and Related Items.
- ---------------------------------
We recorded an expense of $36 in 2001 for restructuring and related
items. The restructuring expense was an additional expense that related to
the restructuring that we underwent in the fourth quarter of 2000.
Acquired In-process Technology and Software Write-off.
- -------------------------------------------------------
Acquired in-process research and development was $148 in 2002. The
write-off was due to the eFilm acquisition we completed on June 28, 2002.
Other Income, Expense.
- -----------------------
During 2002, we had no amounts outstanding on our line of credit,
which resulted in a decrease in interest expense to $22 from $119 in 2001, and
interest income was $50 compared to interest income of $45 in 2001. The
increase in interest income was relatively small compared to the increase in
our cash balance due to declining interest rates. Other income, net, was $36
in 2002 compared to other income, net in 2001 of $137. Other income, net for
2001 includes a gain of $197 for settlement of accounts payable obligations
for less than recorded book value.
Income Taxes.
- --------------
We recorded income tax expense of $79 in 2002 and $87 in 2001,
primarily representing Japanese income tax withholding on software royalties.
We utilized our net operating loss carryforwards to offset income tax
liabilities.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Operating Cash Flows.
- ----------------------
Cash provided by operating activities was $10,398 in 2003 compared to
$3,805 in 2002. Our positive operating cash flow in 2003 was due primarily to
our net income of $6,239, depreciation and amortization expense of $2,633, a
decrease in accounts receivable of $904 due to our improved collections, and a
$1,561 increase in deferred revenue and billings in excess of revenues
associated with our increase in sales of products and software made directly to
healthcare facilities, offset by a decrease of $483 in accounts payable.
Although we anticipate recording income tax expense using a 38% to 40%
effective income tax rate in 2004, the cash flow impact is expected to be
substantially less, due to tax benefits associated with utilizing net
operating losses, tax credits and tax deductions associated with certain stock
option exercises or disqualifying sales.
The total days sales outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2003,
was 110 days, compared to 130 days for the year ended December 31, 2002. The
decrease in days sales outstanding is due to our efforts to improve cash
collections. The total days outstanding is anticipated to decline in 2004 due
to the impact on the calculations of our July 2003 acquisition of RIS Logic.
Investing Cash Flows.
- ----------------------
Cash used in investing activities was $8,208 in 2003, due primarily to
cash outflows of $4,417, net of cash acquired, for the acquisition of RIS Logic
and capitalized software development costs of $2,674. Purchases of capital
equipment and leasehold improvements were $1,117. We expect to continue to
invest in software development projects that will continue to accelerate
sales.
Financing Cash Flows.
- ----------------------
Cash provided by financing activities was $10,101 in 2003. We received
net proceeds of $7,745 from the private offering of 667,000 shares of our
Common Stock, $2,116 from employee and director stock option exercises, and
$153 from purchases of Common Stock under our employee stock purchase plan.
Total outstanding commitments at December 31, 2003, were as follows:
Contractual Less than
Obligations Total 1 Year 1-3 Years 4-6 Years 7-10 Years
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short-term debt........ $ 231 $ 231 $ ---- $ ---- $ ----
Operating leases....... 3,661 717 1,399 865 680
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Total contractual cash
Obligations........... $ 3,892 $ 948 $ 1,399 $ 865 $ 680
===================================================================
We also have a liability recorded of $68 for put options on the
remaining 16,126 of 420,000 Merge Technologies Canada Ltd., formerly known as
Interpra Medical Imaging Network Ltd. ("Interpra"), exchangeable shares
("Interpra exchangeable shares"), which may be exercised for a price of $4.50
per share during the period from August 31, 2004 until September 30, 2004.
In November 2003, we negotiated a new unsecured revolving line of
credit agreement with our bank, increasing our line to $15 million from $5
million effective November 21, 2003, and maturing December 31, 2006. The
interest rate on the line of credit is at a variable rate that is equal
to the prime rate as published in The Wall Street Journal, less 0.75
percentage points. At December 31, 2003, the loan's interest rate was
3.25%. No amounts were outstanding on the line of credit as of December
31, 2003.
We do not have any other significant long-term obligations, contractual
obligations, lines of credit, standby letters of credit, guarantees, standby
repurchase obligations or other commercial commitments.
We believe that existing cash, together with the availability under
our revolving line of credit and future cash flows from operations will be
sufficient to execute our business plan in 2004. However, any projections of
future cash inflows and outflows are subject to uncertainty. In 2004, it may
be necessary to raise additional capital for activities necessary to meet our
business objectives or our long-term liquidity needs. If it is determined
that additional capital is needed, it may be raised by selling additional
equity or raising debt from third party sources. The sale of additional
equity or convertible debt securities could result in dilution to current
stockholders. In addition, debt financing, if available, could involve
restrictive covenants, which could adversely affect operations. There can
be no assurance that any of these financing alternatives, including raising
additional capital, will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to
us.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our consolidated financial statements are impacted by the accounting
policies used and the estimates and assumptions made by management during their
preparation. Critical accounting policies in which management makes
significant estimates are revenue recognition, accounts receivable, software
capitalization, goodwill and intangible asset valuation, other long-lived
assets and income taxes.
Revenue Recognition.
- ---------------------
Revenues are derived primarily from the sublicensing and licensing of
computer software, installations, training, consulting, software maintenance
and sales of PACS, RIS and RIS/PACS solutions. Inherent in the revenue
recognition process are significant management estimates and judgments, which
influence the timing and amount of revenue recognized.
For software arrangements, we recognize revenue according to the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ("AICPA") Statement of
Position ("SOP") No. 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition, and related
amendments. SOP No. 97-2, as amended, generally requires revenue earned on
software arrangements involving multiple elements to be allocated to each
element based on the relative fair values of those elements. Revenue from
multiple-element software arrangements is recognized using the residual method,
pursuant to SOP No. 98-9, Modification of SOP 97-2, Software Revenue
Recognition, With Respect to Certain Transactions. Under the residual method,
revenue is recognized in a multiple element arrangement when vendor-specific
objective evidence of fair value exists for all of the undelivered elements in
the arrangement, but does not exist for one or more of the delivered elements
in the arrangement. We allocate revenue to each undelivered element in a
multiple element arrangement based on its respective fair value, with the fair
value determined by the price charged when that element is sold separately.
Specifically, we determine the fair value of the maintenance portion of the
arrangement based on the renewal price of the maintenance offered to
customers, which is stated in the contract, and fair value of the installation
based upon the price charged when the services are sold separately. If
evidence of the fair value cannot be established for undelivered elements of
a software sale, the entire amount of revenue under the arrangement is
deferred until these elements have been delivered or vendor-specific objective
evidence of fair value can be established.
Revenue from sublicenses sold on an individual basis and computer
software licenses is recognized upon shipment provided that evidence of an
arrangement exists, delivery has occurred and risk of loss has passed to the
customer, fees are fixed or determinable and collection of the related
receivable is reasonably assured.
Revenue from software usage sublicenses sold through annual contracts
and software maintenance is deferred and recognized ratably over the contract
period. Revenue from installation, training, and consulting services is
recognized as services are performed.
Revenue from sales of RIS and from RIS/PACS solutions sold directly
to customers, where professional services are considered essential to the
functionality of the solution sold, is recognized on a percentage-of
- -completion method, as prescribed by AICPA SOP 81-1, Accounting for Performance
on Construction-Type and Certain Production-Type Contracts. Percentage-of
- -completion is determined by the input method based upon the amount of labor
hours expended compared to the total estimated amount of labor hours to
complete the project. Total estimated labor hours is based on management's
best estimate of the total amount of time it takes to complete a project.
These estimates require the use of judgment. A significant change in one or
more of these estimates could affect the profitability of one or more of our
contracts. We review our contract estimates periodically to assess
revisions in contract values and estimated labor hours expended and reflect
changes in estimates in the period that such estimates are revised under
the cumulative catch-up method.
Our policy is to allow returns when we have preauthorized the return.
Based on our historical experience of a limited number of returns and our
expectation that returns, if any, will be insignificant, we have provided for
an allowance for specific potential items only.
Accounts Receivable.
- ---------------------
Our accounts receivable balance is reported net of an allowance for
bad debt. Our management determines collection risk and records allowances
for bad debt based on the aging of accounts and past transaction history with
customers. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate,
resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional
allowances may be required.
Software Capitalization.
- -------------------------
Software capitalization commences when management determines that
projects have achieved technological feasibility. Management's determination
that a project has achieved technical feasibility does not ensure that the
project can be commercially salable. Amounts capitalized include direct labor
and estimates of overhead attributable to the projects. The useful lives of
capitalized software projects are assigned by management, based upon the
expected life of the software. Management also estimates the realizability
of capitalized values based on projections of future net operating cash flows
through the sale of products related to each capitalized project. If we
determine in the future that the value of capitalized software cannot be
recovered, a write-down of the value of the capitalized software to its
recoverable value may be required. If the actual achieved revenues are lower
than our estimates or the useful life of a project is shorter than the
estimated useful life, the asset may be deemed to be impaired and,
accordingly, a write-down of the value of the asset or a shorter
amortization period may be required.
Other Long-Lived Assets.
- -------------------------
Other long-term assets, including property and equipment, and other
intangibles, are amortized over their expected lives, which are estimated by
management. Management also makes estimates of the impairment of long-term
assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying
amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If the actual useful life of a
long-term asset is shorter than the useful life estimated by us, the assets
may be deemed to be impaired and, accordingly, a write-down of the value of
the assets may be required.
Concentrations.
- ----------------
Substantially all of our cash is held at one United States of America
financial institution. Deposits held with the bank exceed the amount of
insurance provided on such deposits. Generally these deposits may be redeemed
upon demand and, therefore, bear minimal risk.
Substantially all of our clients are imaging centers, hospitals and
integrated delivery networks. If significant adverse macro-economic factors
were to impact these organizations, it could materially adversely affect us.
Our access to certain software and hardware components is dependent upon
single and sole source suppliers. The inability of any supplier to fulfill
our supply requirements of could affect future results.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.
- --------------------------------------
Effective January 1, 2002, we adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
("SFAS No. 142"). SFAS No. 142 requires that goodwill and indefinite lived
intangible assets be reviewed for impairment annually, or more frequently if
impairment indicators arise. Our policy provides that goodwill and indefinite
lived intangible assets will be reviewed for impairment on December 31 of each
year. In calculating our impairment losses, we evaluated the fair value by
estimating the expected present value of their future cash flows. The future
cash flows are based upon management's assumptions about future sales activity
and market acceptance of our products. If these assumptions change, we may be
required to write down the carrying value to a revised amount.
Income Taxes.
- --------------
As part of the process of preparing our consolidated financial
statements, we are required to estimate income taxes in each of the
jurisdictions in which we operate. This process involves estimating our
current tax exposure together with assessing temporary differences resulting
from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These
differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities. We must then assess
the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future
taxable income, and to the extent that we believe that recovery is not likely,
we must establish a valuation allowance. To the extent we establish a
valuation allowance or increase or decrease this allowance in a period, we
must include the tax effect within the tax provision in the statement of
operations. Significant management judgment is required in determining our
provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities and any
valuation allowance recorded against our net deferred tax assets.
Material Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no material off balance sheet arrangements.
Factors That May Affect Future Results of Operations, Financial Condition or
Business
Statements made in this report, the Annual Report to Shareholders in
which this report is made a part, other reports and proxy statements filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), communications to shareholders,
press releases and oral statements made by our representatives that are not
historical in nature, or that state our or our management's intentions, hopes,
beliefs, expectations or predictions of the future, may constitute
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Exchange
Act, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Forward-looking statements can often be
identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as "intended,"
"continue," "believe," "may," "expect," "hope," "anticipate," "goal,"
"forecast," "plan," or "estimate" or variations thereof or similar
expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future
performance or results. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions.
It is important to note that any such performance and actual results,
financial condition or business, could differ materially from those expressed
in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute
to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed below as
well as those discussed elsewhere in reports filed with the SEC. Other
unforeseen factors not identified herein could also have such an effect. We
undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to
reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes
in future operating results, financial condition or business over time.
QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS MAY VARY - Our quarterly operating results
have varied in the past and may continue to vary in future periods. Quarterly
operating results may vary for a number of reasons, including accounting policy
changes mandated by regulating entities (including, but not limited to, any
accounting policy change concerning the expensing of options), demand for our
software solutions and services, our sales cycle, and other factors described
in this section and elsewhere in this report. As a result of healthcare
industry trends and the market for our RIS, PACS or RIS/PACS solutions, a
large percentage of our revenues are generated by the sale and installation
of systems sold directly to healthcare institutions. The sale may be subject
to delays due to clients' internal budgets and procedures for approving
capital expenditures and by competing needs for other capital expenditures
and deploying new technologies or personnel resources. Delays in the expected
sale or installation of these contracts may have a significant impact on our
anticipated quarterly revenues and consequently our earnings, since a
significant percentage of our expenses are relatively fixed.
STOCK PRICE MAY BE VOLATILE - The trading price of our Common Stock
may be volatile. The market for our Common Stock may experience significant
price and volume fluctuations in response to a number of factors including
actual or anticipated quarterly variations in operating results, rumors about
our performance or software solutions, changes in expectations of future
financial performance or changes in estimates of securities analysts,
governmental regulatory action, healthcare reform measures, client
relationship developments, changes occurring in the securities markets in
general and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. As a matter
of policy, we do not generally comment on rumors.
Furthermore, the stock market in general, and the market for
software, healthcare and technology companies in particular, has
experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the operating
performance of particular companies. These broad market and industry
fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our Common Stock,
regardless of actual operating performance.
CHANGES IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY - The healthcare industry is
highly regulated and is subject to changing political, economic and regulatory
influences. For example, HIPAA will impact the healthcare industry by
requiring identifiers and standardized transactions/code sets and necessary
security and privacy measures in order to ensure the protection of patient
health information. These factors affect the purchasing practices and
operation of healthcare organizations. Federal and state legislatures have
periodically considered programs to reform or amend the United States of
America healthcare system at both the federal and state level and to change
healthcare financing and reimbursement systems. These programs may contain
proposals to increase governmental involvement in healthcare, lower
reimbursement rates or otherwise change the environment in which healthcare
industry participants operate. Healthcare industry participants may respond
by reducing their investments or postponing investment decisions, including
investments in our software solutions and services.
SIGNIFICANT COMPETITION - The market for RIS, PACS and RIS/PACS
systems is competitive and subject to technological change. We believe that
the principal competitive factors in this market include the breadth and
quality of system and software solution offerings, the stability of the
systems provider, the features and capabilities of the information system, the
ongoing support for the system and the potential for enhancements and future
compatible software solutions. Certain of our competitors have greater
financial, technical, product development, marketing and other resources than
us and some of our competitors offer software solutions that we do not offer.
PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY MAY BE SUBJECTED TO INFRIMGEMENT CLAIMS OR MAY
BE INFRINGED UPON - We rely upon a combination of license agreements,
confidentiality procedures, employee nondisclosure agreements and technical
measures to maintain the confidentiality and trade secrecy of our proprietary
information. We also rely on trademark and copyright laws to protect our
intellectual property. We currently have a very limited patent portfolio. As
a result, we may not be able to protect against misappropriation of our
intellectual property.
In addition, we could be subject to intellectual property infringement
claims as the number of competitors grows and the functionality of our software
solutions and services overlaps with competitive offerings. These claims,
even if not meritorious, could be expensive to defend. If we become liable
to third parties for infringing their intellectual property rights, we could
be required to pay a substantial damage award and to develop noninfringing
technology, obtain a license or cease selling the software solutions that
contain the infringing intellectual property.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION - We are subject to regulation by the Federal
Drug Administration ("FDA"). If our software solutions are deemed to be
actively regulated medical devices by the FDA, we could be subject to more
extensive requirements governing pre- and post-marketing requirements.
Complying with these FDA regulations could be time consuming and expensive.
It is possible that the FDA may become more active in regulating computer
software that is used in healthcare.
Following an inspection by the FDA in November of 2003, we received
a FDA warning letter and Form 483 (Notice of Inspectional Observations)
listing observations of non-compliance with certain aspects of the FDA's
Quality System Regulation. We responded to the FDA on February 5, 2004,
and undertook a number of corrective actions in response to the Form 483
and the FDA warning letter.
There can be no assurance, however, that our actions taken in response
to the Form 483 and warning letter will be deemed adequate by the FDA or that
additional actions will not be required by us. In addition, we remain subject
to periodic FDA inspections and there can be no assurances that we will not be
required to undertake additional actions to comply with the Federal Food, Drug
and Cosmetic Act ("Act") and any other applicable regulatory requirements.
Any failure by us to comply with the Act and any other applicable regulatory
requirements could have a material adverse effect on our ability to continue
to manufacture and distribute our software solutions. The FDA has many
enforcement tools including recalls, seizures, injunctions, civil fines and/or
criminal prosecutions. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse
effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
PRODUCT RELATED LIABILITIES - Many of our software solutions provide
data for use by healthcare providers in providing care to patients. Although
no such claims have been brought against us to date regarding injuries related
to the use of our software solutions, such claims may be made in the future.
Although we maintain product liability insurance coverage in an amount that we
believe is sufficient for our business, there can be no assurance that such
coverage will cover a particular claim that may be brought in the future,
prove to be adequate or that such coverage will continue to remain available
on acceptable terms, if at all. A successful claim brought against us, which
is uninsured or under-insured, could materially harm our business, results
of operations or financial condition.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH TEH COMPANY'S GLOBAL OPERATIONS - We market,
sell and service our software solutions globally. We have established offices
around the world, including North America, the Netherlands and Japan. We will
continue to expand our global operations and enter new global markets. This
expansion will require significant management attention and financial resources
to develop successful indirect global sales and support channels. Our success
will depend, in part, on our ability to form relationships with local partners.
For these reasons, we may not be able to maintain or increase global market
demand for our software solutions.
Global operations are subject to inherent risks, and our future results
could be adversely affected by a variety of uncontrollable and changing
factors. These include:
* Greater difficulty in collecting accounts receivable and
longer collection periods.
* The impact of economic conditions outside the United States of
America.
* Changes in foreign currency exchange.
* Unexpected changes in regulatory requirements.
* Certification requirements.
* Reduced protection of intellectual property rights in some
countries.
* Potentially adverse tax consequences.
* Political instability.
* Trade protection measures and other regulatory requirements.
* Service provider and government spending patterns.
* Natural disasters, war or terrorist acts.
* Poor selection of a partner in a country.
* Political conditions which may threaten the safety of
associates or our continued presence in foreign countries.
Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Information contained under the caption "Factors That May Affect Future
Results of Operations, Financial Condition or Business" set forth under
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" in Item 7 is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
- -----------------------------------------------------------
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Merge Technologies Incorporated:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Merge
Technologies Incorporated and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003 and 2002,
and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' equity,
cash flows, and comprehensive income for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 2003. These consolidated financial statements are
the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our
audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Merge
Technologies Incorporated and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003 and 2002,
and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years
in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003, in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the
Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
Board No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, on January 1, 2002.
/s/ KPMG LLP
- ----------------------
Chicago, Illinois
February 18, 2004
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except for share data)
ASSETS
Years Ended December 31,
------------------------------
2003 2002
------------- -------------
Current assets:
Cash......................................................... $ 16,871 $ 4,411
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
Of $374 and $293 at December 31, 2003 and 2002,
Respectively................................................ 8,359 7,148
Inventory.................................................... 893 453
Prepaid expenses............................................. 288 176
Deferred tax asset........................................... 3,541 ----
Other current assets......................................... 156 25
------------ -------------
Total current assets.......................................... 30,108 12,213
------------ -------------
Computer equipment........................................... 4,819 3,725
Office equipment............................................. 718 501
Leasehold improvements....................................... 259 147
------------ -------------
5,796 4,373
Less accumulated depreciation................................ 4,122 3,531
------------ -------------
Net property and equipment.................................... 1,674 842
Long-term receivable.......................................... 101 144
Purchased and developed software, net of accumulated
Amortization of $7,314 and $5,522 at December 31, 2003 and
2002, respectively........................................... 8,420 5,703
Intangibles - customer contracts, net of accumulated
Amortization of $371 and $97 at December 31, 2003 and 2002,
Respectively................................................. 1,572 869
Goodwill...................................................... 21,846 7,406
Other assets.................................................. 174 69
------------ -------------
Total assets.................................................. $ 63,895 $ 27,246
============ =============
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of obligations under capital leases.......... $ ---- $ 7
Accounts payable............................................. 1,294 1,493
Accrued wages................................................ 911 685
Notes payable................................................ 219 ----
Redemption value related to exchangeable Common Stock........ 68 ----
Other accrued liabilities.................................... 795 264
Deferred revenue............................................. 3,717 1,892
Billings in excess of revenues - contracts in progress....... 1,381 ----
------------ -------------
Total current liabilities..................................... 8,385 4,341
------------ -------------
Notes payable................................................ ---- 167
Redemption value related to exchangeable Common Stock........ ---- 1,038
Deferred tax liability....................................... 1,987 ----
Other liabilities............................................ ---- 17
------------ -------------
Total liabilities............................................. 10,372 5,563
------------ -------------
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value: 3,999,998 shares
Authorized; zero shares issued and outstanding at December
31, 2003 and December 31, 2002.............................. ---- ----
Series A Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value: 1,000,000 shares
Authorized; zero shares issued and outstanding at December
31, 2003 and December 31, 2002.............................. ---- ----
Special Voting Preferred Stock, no par value: one share
Authorized; one share issued and outstanding at December
31, 2003 and December 31, 2002.............................. ---- ----
Series 2 Special Voting Preferred Stock, no par value: one
Share authorized; one share issued and outstanding at
December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002..................... ---- ----
Common Stock, $0.01 par value: 30,000,000 shares authorized;
12,485,646 shares and 9,481,683 shares issued and outstanding
At December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively.... 125 95
Common Stock subscribed: 8,058 and 3,542 shares at December
31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively................ 47 15
Additional paid-in capital................................... 53,175 28,035
Common Stock subscription receivable, due from related party. ---- (25)
Accumulated deficit.......................................... (56) (6,295)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) - cumulative
Translation adjustment...................................... 232 (142)
------------ -------------
Total shareholders' equity.................................... 53,523 21,683
------------ -------------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity.................... $ 63,895 $ 27,246
============ =============
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except for share data)
Years Ended December 31,
---------------------------------------------
2003 2002 2001
---------------------------------------------
Net sales...................................... $ 28,677 $ 20,786 $ 15,741
Cost of sales.................................. 8,970 7,998 6,261
------------- ------------- -------------
Gross profit................................... 19,707 12,788 9,480
------------- ------------- -------------
Operating costs and expenses:
Sales and marketing........................... 6,543 4,305 3,227
Product research and development.............. 2,063 1,620 1,870
General and administrative.................... 3,527 2,553 2,286
Depreciation and amortization................. 573 518 765
Restructuring and related items............... ---- ---- 36
Acquired in-process research and development.. ---- 148 ----
------------- ------------- -------------
Total operating costs and expenses............. 12,706 9,144 8,184
------------- ------------- -------------
Operating income............................... 7,001 3,644 1,296
Other income (expense):
Interest expense.............................. (18) (22) (119)
Interest income............................... 100 50 45
Other, net.................................... (184) 36 136
------------- ------------- -------------
Total other income (expense)................... (102) 64 62
------------- ------------- -------------
Income before income taxes..................... 6,899 3,708 1,358
Income tax expense............................. 660 79 87
------------- ------------- -------------
Net income..................................... 6,239 3,629 1,271
Net income per share - basic................... $ 0.53 $ 0.38 $ 0.17
============= ============= =============
Weighted average number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding - basic..................... 11,566,054 8,840,059 6,178,821
============= ============= =============
Net income per share - diluted................. $ 0.49 $ 0.33 $ 0.15
============= ============= =============
Weighted average number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding - diluted................... 12,586,900 10,383,651 7,310,731
============= ============= =============
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Years Ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
(in thousands, except for share data)
Series A Preferred Stock
----------------------------------------------------------
Shares Subscribed Shares Issued
subscribed amount issued amount
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Balance at December 31, 2000... 613,236 $ 467 ---- $ ----
========== ========== ========== ==========
Accretion of put value......... ---- ---- ---- ----
Issuance of Common Stock....... ---- ---- ---- ----
Issuance of Preferred Stock.... (613,236) (467) 622,236 6
Issuance of Common Stock
Warrants...................... ---- ---- ---- ----
Stock issued under ESPP........ ---- ---- ---- ----
Exchange of share rights into
Common Stock.................. ---- ---- ---- ----
Stock issued for services
Rendered...................... ---- ---- 15,000 ----
Exercise of stock options...... ---- ---- ---- ----
Exercise of stock warrants..... ---- ---- ---- ----
Preferred Stock dividends
Declared...................... ---- ---- ---- ----
Issuance of Preferred Stock
Dividend...................... ---- ---- ---- ----
Reduction of stock subscription
Receivable from related party. ---- ---- ---- ----
Net income..................... ---- ---- ---- ----
Foreign currency cumulative
Translation adjustment........ ---- ---- ---- ----
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Balance at December 31, 2001... ---- $ ---- 637,236 $ 6
========== ========== ========== ==========
Accretion of put value......... ---- ---- ---- ----
Issuance of Common Stock....... ---- ---- (637,236) (6)
Stock issued for acquisitions.. ---- ---- ---- ----
Exchange of share rights into
Common Stock.................. ---- ---- ---- ----
Stock issued under ESPP........ ---- ---- ---- ----
Exercise of stock options...... ---- ---- ---- ----
Exercise of stock warrants..... ---- ---- ---- ----
Preferred Stock dividends
Declared...................... ---- ---- ---- ----
Issuance of Preferred Stock
Dividend...................... ---- ---- ---- ----
Reduction of stock subscription
Receivable from related party. ---- ---- ---- ----
Net income..................... ---- ---- ---- ----
Foreign currency cumulative....
Translation adjustment ---- ---- ---- ----
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Balance at December 31, 2002... ---- $ ---- ---- $ ----
========== ========== ========== ==========
Accretion of put value......... ---- ---- ---- ----
Issuance of Common Stock....... ---- ---- ---- ----
Stock issued and options
Granted for acquisitions...... ---- ---- ---- ----
Exchange of share rights into
Common Stock.................. ---- ---- ---- ----
Stock issued for services
Rendered...................... ---- ---- ---- ----
Stock issued under ESPP........ ---- ---- ---- ----
Exercise of stock options...... ---- ---- ---- ----
Exercise of stock warrants..... ---- ---- ---- ----
Tax benefit on exercise of
Stock options................. ---- ---- ---- ----
Reduction of stock subscription
Receivable from related party. ---- ---- ---- ----
Net income..................... ---- ---- ---- ----
Foreign currency cumulative
Translation adjustment........ ---- ---- ---- ----
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Balance at December 31, 2003 ---- $ ---- ---- $ ----
========== ========== ========== ==========
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Years Ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
(in thousands, except for share data)
Special Voting Series 2 Special Voting
Preferred Stock Preferred Stock
-------------------------- --------------------------
Shares Issued Shared Issued
issued amount issued amount
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Balance at December 31, 2000... 1 $ ---- ---- $ ----
========== ========== ========== ==========
Accretion of put value......... ---- ---- ---- ----
Issuance of Common Stock....... ---- ---- ---- ----
Issuance of Preferred Stock.... ---- ---- ---- ----
Issuance of Common Stock
Warrants...................... ---- ---- ---- ----
Stock issued under ESPP........ ---- ---- ---- ----
Exchange of share rights into
Common Stock.................. ---- ---- ---- ----
Stock issued for services
Rendered...................... ---- ---- ---- ----
Exercise of stock options...... ---- ---- ---- ----
Exercise of stock warrants..... ---- ---- ---- ----
Preferred Stock dividends
Declared...................... ---- ---- ---- ----
Issuance of Preferred Stock
Dividend...................... ---- ---- ---- ----
Reduction of stock subscription
Receivable from related party. ---- ---- ---- ----
Net income..................... ---- ---- ---- ----
Foreign currency cumulative
Translation adjustment........ ---- ---- ---- ----
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Balance at December 31, 2001... 1 $ ---- ---- $ ----
========== ========== ========== ==========
Accretion of put value......... ---- ---- ---- ----
Issuance of Common Stock....... ---- ---- ---- ----
Stock issued for acquisitions.. ---- ---- 1 ----
Exchange of share rights into
Common Stock.................. ---- ---- ---- ----
Stock issued under ESPP........ ---- ---- ---- ----
Exercise of stock options...... ---- ---- ---- ----
Exercise of stock warrants..... ---- ---- ---- ----
Preferred Stock dividends
Declared...................... ---- ---- ---- ----
Issuance of Preferred Stock
Dividend...................... ---- ---- ---- ----
Reduction of stock subscription
Receivable from related party. ---- ---- ---- ----
Net income..................... ---- ---- ---- ----
Foreign currency cumulative....
Translation adjustment ---- ---- ---- ----
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Balance at December 31, 2002... 1 $ ---- 1 $ ----
========== ========== ========== ==========
Accretion of put value......... ---- ---- ---- ----
Issuance of Common Stock....... ---- ---- ---- ----
Stock issued and options
Granted for acquisitions...... ---- ---- ---- ----
Exchange of share rights into
Common Stock.................. ---- ---- ---- ----
Stock issued for services
Rendered...................... ---- ---- ---- ----
Stock issued under ESPP........ ---- ---- ---- ----
Exercise of stock options...... ---- ---- ---- ----
Exercise of stock warrants..... ---- ---- ---- ----
Tax benefit on exercise of
Stock options................. ---- ---- ---- ----
Reduction of stock subscription
Receivable from related party. ---- ---- ---- ----
Net income..................... ---- ---- ---- ----
Foreign currency cumulative
Translation adjustment........ ---- ---- ---- ----
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Balance at December 31, 2003 1 $ ---- 1 $ ----
========== ========== ========== ==========
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Years Ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
(in thousands, except for share data)
Common Stock
----------------------------------------------------------
Shares Subscribed Shares Issued
subscribed amount issued amount
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Balance at December 31, 2000... 189,670 $ 153 5,805,170 $ 58
========== ========== ========== ==========
Accretion of put value......... ---- ---- ---- ----
Issuance of Common Stock....... (168,809) (137) 1,005,734 10
Issuance of Preferred Stock.... ---- ---- ---- ----
Issuance of Common Stock
Warrants...................... ---- ---- ---- ----
Stock issued under ESPP........ 1,312 1 94,037 1
Exchange of share rights into
Common Stock.................. ---- ---- 31,096 ----
Stock issued for services
Rendered...................... ---- ---- 20,163 ----
Exercise of stock options...... ---- ---- 20,622 1
Exercise of stock warrants..... ---- ---- 12,500 ----
Preferred Stock dividends
Declared...................... ---- ---- ---- ----
Issuance of Preferred Stock
Dividend...................... ---- ---- 30,171 ----
Reduction of stock subscription
Receivable from related party. ---- ---- ---- ----
Net income..................... ---- ---- ---- ----
Foreign currency cumulative
Translation adjustment........ ---- ---- ---- ----
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Balance at December 31, 2001... 22,173 $ 17 7,019,493 $ 70
========== ========== ========== ==========
Accretion of put value......... ---- ---- ---- ----
Issuance of Common Stock....... ---- ---- 645,222 6
Stock issued for acquisitions.. ---- ---- 93,901 1
Exchange of share rights into
Common Stock.................. ---- ---- 179,603 2
Stock issued under ESPP........ (18,631) (2) 36,976 ----
Exercise of stock options...... ---- ---- 778,571 8
Exercise of stock warrants..... ---- ---- 722,943 8
Preferred Stock dividends
Declared...................... ---- ---- ---- ----
Issuance of Preferred Stock
Dividend...................... ---- ---- 4,974 ----
Reduction of stock subscription
Receivable from related party. ---- ---- ---- ----
Net income..................... ---- ---- ---- ----
Foreign currency cumulative....
Translation adjustment ---- ---- ---- ----
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Balance at December 31, 2002... 3,542 $ 15 9,481,683 $ 95
========== ========== ========== ==========
Accretion of put value......... ---- ---- ---- ----
Issuance of Common Stock....... ---- ---- 701,664 7
Stock issued and options
Granted for acquisitions...... ---- ---- 771,804 8
Exchange of share rights into
Common Stock.................. ---- ---- 852,901 9
Stock issued for services
Rendered...................... ---- ---- 28 ----
Stock issued under ESPP........ 4,516 32 21,875 ----
Exercise of stock options...... ---- ---- 551,690 6
Exercise of stock warrants..... ---- ---- 104,001 ----
Tax benefit on exercise of
Stock options................. ---- ---- ---- ----
Reduction of stock subscription
Receivable from related party. ---- ---- ---- ----
Net income..................... ---- ---- ---- ----
Foreign currency cumulative
Translation adjustment........ ---- ---- ---- ----
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Balance at December 31, 2003 8,058 $ 47 12,485,646 $ 125
========== ========== ========== ==========
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Years Ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
(in thousands, except for share data)
Additional Stock Cumulative Total
paid in Accumulated subscription translation shareholders'
capital deficit receivable adjustment equity
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Balance at December 31, 2000... $ 14,374 $ (11,195) $ (50) $ (54) $ 3,753
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Accretion of put value......... (390) ---- ---- ---- (139)
Issuance of Common Stock....... 1,330 ---- (10) ---- 1,193
Issuance of Preferred Stock.... 470 ---- ---- ---- 9
Issuance of Common Stock
Warrants...................... 10 ---- ---- ---- 10
Stock issued under ESPP........ 68 ---- ---- ---- 70
Exchange of share rights into
Common Stock.................. ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Stock issued for services
Rendered...................... 43 ---- ---- ---- 43
Exercise of stock options...... 26 ---- ---- ---- 27
Exercise of stock warrants..... 12 ---- ---- ---- 12
Preferred Stock dividends
Declared...................... (44) ---- ---- ---- (44)
Issuance of Preferred Stock
Dividend...................... 33 ---- ---- ---- 33
Reduction of stock subscription
Receivable from related party. ---- ---- 25 ---- 25
Net income..................... ---- 1,271 ---- ---- 1,271
Foreign currency cumulative
Translation adjustment........ ---- ---- ---- (94) (94)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Balance at December 31, 2001... $ 16,183 $ (9,924) $ (35) $ (148) $ (6,169)
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Accretion of put value......... 466 ---- ---- ---- 466
Issuance of Common Stock....... 44 ---- ---- ---- 44
Stock issued for acquisitions.. 9,118 ---- ---- ---- 9,119
Exchange of share rights into
Common Stock.................. (2) ---- ---- ---- ----
Stock issued under ESPP........ 78 ---- ---- ---- 76
Exercise of stock options...... 1,028 ---- ---- ---- 1,036
Exercise of stock warrants..... 1,110 ---- ---- ---- 1,118
Preferred Stock dividends
Declared...................... (20) ---- ---- ---- (20)
Issuance of Preferred Stock
Dividend...................... 30 ---- ---- ---- 30
Reduction of stock subscription
Receivable from related party. ---- ---- 10 ---- 10
Net income..................... ---- 3,629 ---- ---- 3,629
Foreign currency cumulative....
Translation adjustment ---- ---- ---- 6 6
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Balance at December 31, 2002... $ 28,035 $ (6,295) $ (25) $ (142) $ 21,683
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Accretion of put value......... 970 ---- ---- ---- 970
Issuance of Common Stock....... 7,738 ---- ---- ---- 7,745
Stock issued and options
Granted for acquisitions...... 12,485 ---- ---- ---- 12,493
Exchange of share rights into
Common Stock.................. (9) ---- ---- ---- ----
Stock issued for services
Rendered...................... ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Stock issued under ESPP........ 121 ---- ---- ---- 153
Exercise of stock options...... 2,110 ---- ---- ---- 2,116
Exercise of stock warrants..... 68 ---- ---- ---- 68
Tax benefit on exercise of
Stock options................. 1,657 ---- ---- ---- 1,657
Reduction of stock subscription
Receivable from related party. ---- ---- 25 ---- 25
Net income..................... ---- 6,239 ---- ---- 6,239
Foreign currency cumulative
Translation adjustment........ ---- ---- ---- 374 374
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Balance at December 31, 2003 $ 53,175 $ (56) $ ---- $ 232 $ 53,523
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands, except for share data)
Years Ended December 31,
--------------------------------------
2003 2002 2001
-------- --------- ---------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income...................................................... $ 6,239 $ 3,629 $ 1,271
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
Operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization.................................. 2,633 1,862 1,698
Amortization of discount on note assumed in merger............. 16 13 19
Provision for doubtful accounts receivable..................... 81 264 133
Deferred income taxes.......................................... 101 148 ----
Acquired in-process technology and software write-off.......... ---- 148 ----
Issuance of options and stock for services rendered............ ---- 44 68
Issuance of warrants for financing transactions................ ---- ---- 10
Change in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable........................................... 904 (3,987) (1,273)
Inventory..................................................... (440) 89 614
Prepaid expenses.............................................. (51) (80) (36)
Accounts payable.............................................. (483) 759 (1,159)
Accrued wages................................................. (369) (38) 194
Other accrued liabilities..................................... 78 (35) 46
Deferred revenue.............................................. 1,561 1,016 269
Other......................................................... 128 121 45
------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by operating activities........................ 10,398 3,805 1,899
------- -------- --------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired............... (4,417) (243) ----
Purchases of property and equipment............................ (1,117) (558) (148)
Capitalized software development............................... (2,674) (1,850) (1,436)
------- -------- --------
Net cash used in investing activities............................ (8,208) (2,651) (1,584)
------- -------- --------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of revolving credit agreement......................... ---- ---- (1,350)
Proceeds from note receivable................................... 25 10 ----
Proceeds from sale of Series A Preferred Stock.................. ---- ---- 9
Proceeds from exercise of stock options......................... 2,116 1,036 27
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan...................... 153 76 70
Proceeds from exercise of warrants.............................. 68 1,118 12
Proceeds from sale of Common Stock.............................. 7,745 ---- 1,193
Principal payments under capital leases......................... (6) (24) (30)
-------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities.............. 10,101 2,216 (69)
-------- --------- ---------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash.......................... 169 (2) (15)
Net increase in cash............................................. 12,460 3,368 231
Cash, beginning of period........................................ 4,411 1,043 812
-------- --------- ---------
Cash, end of period.............................................. $ 16,871 $ 4,411 $ 1,043
======== ========= =========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for income taxes....................................... $ 237 $ 91 $ 69
Cash paid for interest........................................... $ 3 $ 10 $ 116
NON CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Property and equipment acquired through capital leases........... $ ---- $ ---- $ 3
Payment of preferred stock dividends through issuance of Common
Stock........................................................... $ ---- $ 32 $ 33
Redemption value related to exchangeable Common Stock............ $ 41 $ 99 $ 140
Value of exchangeable shares issued for acquisition of
1,000,000 shares................................................ $ ---- $ 7,737 $ ----
Value of Common Stock and options issued for acquisitions........ $ 12,493 $ 792 $ ----
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(in thousands)
Years ended December 31,
---------------------------------------------
2003 2002 2001
------------ ------------ -------------
Net income.................................... $ 6,239 $ 3,629 $ 1,271
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
- Cumulative translation adjustment.......... 374 6 (94)
------------ ------------ -------------
Comprehensive income.......................... $ 6,613 $ 3,635 $ 1,177
============ ============ =============
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except for share and per share data)
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(a) Nature of Operations.
We are in the business of integrating radiology images and information
into healthcare enterprise networks. Our products and services enhance the
quality of healthcare provided to patients because they improve radiology
workflow efficiencies, reduce healthcare operating costs and improve clinical
decision making processes. We deliver this tangible value both to OEM/VARs
and directly to healthcare facilities of all sizes, but we specifically target
small to medium size hospitals, multi-hospital groups, clinics and diagnostic
imaging centers, by working with our customers to offer modular, cost effective
solutions to solve their image and information management and radiology
workflow needs.
(b) Principles of Consolidation.
The consolidated financial statements include our financial statements
and our wholly owned subsidiaries, Merge Aurora Solutions Inc. ("Merge
Aurora"), eFilm and RIS Logic. All significant intercompany balances and
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
(c) Inventory.
Inventory, consisting principally of raw materials and finished goods,
is stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the
first-in, first-out method.
(d) Property and Equipment.
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Equipment under capital
leases is stated at the present value of minimum lease payments.
Depreciation on property and equipment is calculated on the
straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Useful
lives of our major classes of property and equipment are: three years for
computer equipment; and seven years for office equipment. Equipment held
under capital leases is amortized using the straight-line method over the
shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the term of the lease,
depending on the lease terms. Leasehold improvements are amortized using
the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated life of the asset
or the term of the lease.
(e) Purchased and Developed Software.
All research and development costs incurred prior to the point at
which management believes a project has reached technological feasibility are
expensed as incurred. Software development costs incurred subsequent to
reaching technological feasibility are capitalized and reported at the lower
of unamortized cost or net realizable value in accordance with Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 86, Accounting for the Costs of
Computer Software to Be Sold, Leased, or Otherwise Marketed. Amortization of
purchased and developed software is provided on a product-by-product basis
over the expected economic life of the related software, generally five
years, using the straight-line method. This method results in greater
amortization than the method based on the ratio that current gross revenues
for a product bear to the total of current and anticipated future gross
revenues for that product. During 2003, 2002 and 2001, we capitalized
software development costs of $2,674, $1,850 and $1,436, respectively.
Amortization expense related to purchased and developed software for 2003,
2002 and 2001, was $2,046, $1,344 and $773, respectively.
We assess the recoverability of these costs periodically by
determining whether the unamortized capitalized costs can be recovered
through future net operating cash flows through the sale of that product.
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except for share and per share data)
(f) Fair Value of Financial Instruments.
Our financial instruments include cash, accounts receivable, accounts
payable and certain accrued liabilities. The carrying amounts approximate
fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. The carrying
value of notes payable and long-term receivables is not materially different
from their fair values.
(g) Long-Lived Assets.
We account for long-lived assets in accordance with SFAS No. 144,
Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. Other
long-term assets, including property and equipment, and other intangibles,
are amortized over their expected lives, which are estimated by management.
Management also makes estimates of the impairment of long-term assets whenever
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an
asset may not be recoverable. If the actual useful life of a long-term
asset is shorter than the useful life estimated by us, the assets may be
deemed to be impaired and, accordingly, a write-down of the value of the
assets may be required. We have reviewed long-lived assets and certain
intangible assets with estimable useful lives and determined that their
carrying values as of December 31, 2003 are recoverable in future periods.
(h) Goodwill and Other Intangibles.
Effective January 1, 2002, we adopted SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other
Intangible Assets. The standard requires that goodwill and intangible assets
with indefinite useful lives no longer be amortized, but instead be tested for
impairment at least annually. The standard also specifies criteria that
intangible assets must meet to be recognized and reported apart from goodwill.
As of the date of adoption of SFAS No. 142, we have discontinued
amortization of all existing goodwill. Additionally, pursuant to the
provisions of SFAS No. 142, we confirmed our recorded purchased software as
an other intangible asset that must be recognized apart from goodwill and
amortized over its estimated useful lives of three to five years. Purchased
software is included as part of purchased and developed software and the
classification and useful life is consistent with our presentation at December
31, 2002. We have not identified any other intangible assets that must be
recognized apart from goodwill as of the adoption date.
Our intangible assets, other than developed software, subject to
amortization are summarized as follows:
December 31, 2003 December 31, 2002
------------- ----------------------- -------------------------
Weighted
Average
Remaining Gross Gross
Amortization Carrying Accumulated Carrying Accumulated
Period (Years) Amount Amortization Amount Amortization
------------- --------- ------------ --------- -------------
Purchased software.... 3.9 2,901 (645) 1,418 (227)
Customer contracts.... 4.0 1,943 (371) 966 (97)
--------- --------- -------- --------
Total................. 3.9 4,844 (1,016) 2,384 (324)
========= ========= ========= ==========
Amortization expense was $693, $261 and $28 for the years ended 2003,
2002 and 2001, respectively. Estimated aggregate amortization expense for
each of the next five years is as follows:
For the year ended: 2004 $ 973
2005 $ 935
2006 $ 924
2007 $ 708
2008 $ 287
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except for share and per share data)
The provisions of SFAS No. 142 require that goodwill and other
intangible assets with indefinite useful lives be tested at least annually for
impairment or when indicators of potential impairment exist, using a
fair-value-based approach. Additionally, a transitional impairment evaluation
must be completed within the first six months of adoption. During the second
quarter of 2002, we completed the transitional impairment test, which did not
result in impairment of recorded goodwill. We will continue to monitor the
carrying value of goodwill through annual impairment tests. At December 31,
2003, we performed our annual impairment tests and found none of our goodwill
to be impaired.
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the year ended
December 31, 2003, are as follows:
Balance as of January 1, 2003................... $ 7,406
Goodwill related to RIS Logic acquisition....... 14,469
Other........................................... (29)
----------
Balance as of December 31, 2003................. $ 21,846
==========
The following table shows the impact on the Company's financial
statements as if SFAS 142 were adopted on January 1, 2001:
Years Ended December 31,
-----------------------------------------
2003 2002 2001
--------- --------- ---------
Reported net income......................... $ 6,239 $ 3,629 $ 1,271
Goodwill amortization....................... ---- ---- 74
--------- --------- ---------
Adjusted net income......................... $ 6,239 $ 3,629 $ 1,345
Reported net income per share - basic....... $ 0.53 $ 0.38 $ 0.17
Goodwill amortization....................... ---- ---- 0.01
--------- --------- ---------
Adjusted net income per share - basic....... $ 0.53 $ 0.38 $ 0.18
Reported net income per share - diluted..... $ 0.49 $ 0.33 $ 0.15
Goodwill amortization....................... ---- ---- 0.01
--------- --------- ---------
Adjusted net income per share - diluted..... $ 0.49 $ 0.33 $ 0.16
(i) Income Taxes.
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax
consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement
carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax
bases, operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and
liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable
income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be
recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of
a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes
the enactment date.
(j) Stock Option Plans.
As of December 31, 2003, we maintain three stock-based employee
compensation plans and one director option plan, which are described more
fully in Note 8. We apply the provisions of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation, as amended, which requires entities to recognize
as expense over the vesting period the fair value of all stock-based awards
on the date of grant. Alternatively, SFAS No. 123 allows entities to continue
to apply the provisions of Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion
No. 25 and provide pro forma disclosures as if the fair-value-based method
defined in SFAS No. 123 had been applied.
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except for share and per share data)
We have elected to continue to apply the provisions of APB Opinion No.
25 in accounting for our plans. All stock options under the plans have been
granted at exercise prices of not less than the market value at the date of
grant, and as a result, no compensation expense has been recorded under APB
Opinion No. 25. Had we determined compensation cost based on the fair value
at the grant date under SFAS No. 123, our net income would have been
decreased in 2003, 2002 and 2001 to the pro forma amounts indicated below:
2003 2002 2001
--------- --------- ---------
Net income, as reported............... $ 6,239 $ 3,629 $ 1,271
Deduct: Total stock-based employee
Compensation expense determined under
Fair value based method for all
Awards, net of related tax benefit... (881) (456) (300)
--------- --------- ---------
Pro forma net income.................. $ 5,358 $ 3,173 $ 971
========= ========= =========
Net income per share:
Basic - as reported.................. $ 0.53 $ 0.38 $ 0.17
========= ========= =========
Basic - pro forma.................... $ 0.46 $ 0.33 $ 0.12
========= ========= =========
Diluted - as reported................ $ 0.49 $ 0.33 $ 0.15
========= ========= =========
Diluted - pro forma.................. $ 0.43 $ 0.29 $ 0.11
========= ========= =========
(k) Revenue Recognition.
Revenues are derived primarily from the sublicensing and licensing of
computer software, installations, training, consulting, software maintenance
and sales of PACS, RIS and RIS/PACS solutions. Inherent in the revenue
recognition process are significant management estimates and judgments, which
influence the timing and amount of revenue recognized.
For software arrangements, we recognize revenue according to the
AICPA SOP 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition, and related amendments. SOP No.
97-2, as amended, generally requires revenue earned on software arrangements
involving multiple elements to be allocated to each element based on the
relative fair values of those elements. Revenue from multiple-element
software arrangements is recognized using the residual method, pursuant to SOP
No. 98-9, Modification of SOP 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition, With Respect
to Certain Transactions. Under the residual method, revenue is recognized in
a multiple element arrangement when vendor-specific objective evidence of fair
value exists for all of the undelivered elements in the arrangement, but does
not exist for one or more of the delivered elements in the arrangement. We
allocate revenue to each undelivered element in a multiple element arrangement
based on its respective fair value, with the fair value determined by the
price charged when that element is sold separately. Specifically, we
determine the fair value of the maintenance portion of the arrangement based
on the renewal price of the maintenance offered to customers, which is stated
in the contract, and fair value of the installation based upon the price
charged when the services are sold separately. If evidence of the fair value
cannot be established for undelivered elements of a software sale, the entire
amount of revenue under the arrangement is deferred until these elements have
been delivered or vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value can be
established.
Revenue from sublicenses sold on an individual basis and computer
software licenses is recognized upon shipment provided that evidence of an
arrangement exists, delivery has occurred and risk of loss has passed to the
customer, fees are fixed or determinable and collection of the related
receivable is reasonably assured.
Revenue from software usage sublicenses sold through annual contracts
and software maintenance is deferred and recognized ratably over the contract
period. Revenue from installation, training, and consulting services is
recognized as services are performed.
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except for share and per share data)
Revenue from sales of RIS and from RIS/PACS solutions sold directly
to customers, where professional services are considered essential to the
functionality of the solution sold, is recognized on a percentage-of
- -completion method, as prescribed by AICPA SOP 81-1, Accounting for Performance
on Construction-Type and Certain Production-Type Contracts. Percentage-of
- -completion is determined by the input method based upon the amount of labor
hours expended compared to the total estimated amount of labor hours to
complete the project. Total estimated labor hours is based on management's
best estimate of the total amount of time it takes to complete a project.
These estimates require the use of judgment. A significant change in one or
more of these estimates could affect the profitability of one or more of our
contracts. We review our contract estimates periodically to assess
revisions in contract values and estimated labor hours expended and reflect
changes in estimates in the period that such estimates are revised under
the cumulative catch-up method.
Our policy is to allow returns when we have preauthorized the return.
Based on our historical experience of a limited number of returns and our
expectation that returns, if any, will be insignificant, we have provided
for an allowance for specific potential items only.
(l) Warranties.
We provide twelve months of hardware warranty on our connectivity
sales. We have provided for expected warranty costs based on our historical
experience. Accrued warranty was $67 at December 31, 2003 and 2002.
(m) Use of Estimates.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts
of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities
at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues
and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from
those estimates.
(n) Net Income Per Share.
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to
common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding. We
have made an accounting policy election to use the if-converted method for
convertible securities that participate in Common Stock dividends; however,
the two-class method must be used if the effect is more dilutive. Diluted
earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur based
on the effect of the conversion of outstanding convertible preferred shares
and the exercise of stock options and warrants with an exercise price of
less than the average market price of our Common Stock. The following table
sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the
years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001.
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except for share and per share data)
December 31,
---------------------------------------------
2003 2002 2001
------------ ------------- ------------
Numerator:
Net income................................... $ 6,239 $ 3,629 $ 1,271
Preferred Stock dividends.................... ---- (20) (44)
Accretion of redemption value related to
Interpra exchangeable shares................ (41) (99) (140)
Allocation of income to Interpra exchangeable
Shares...................................... (56) (118) (67)
------------ ------------- ------------
Numerator for net income per share - basic... $ 6,142 $ 3,392 $ 1,020
------------ ------------- ------------
Adjustment for effect of assumed conversion
Of preferred stock.......................... ---- 20 44
------------ ------------- ------------
Numerator for net income per share - diluted. $ 6,142 $ 3,412 $ 1,064
------------ ------------- ------------
Denominator:
Weighted average number shares of Common
Stock outstanding........................... 11,566,054 8,840,059 6,178,821
------------ ------------- ------------
Effect of convertible preferred stock........ ---- 295,714 634,203
Effect of stock options...................... 972,380 925,277 312,373
Effect of warrants........................... 48,466 322,601 185,334
------------ ------------- ------------
Denominator for net income per share
- diluted................................... 12,586,900 10,383,651 7,310,731
------------ ------------- ------------
Net income per share - basic................. $ 0.53 $ 0.38 $ 0.17
Net income per share - diluted............... $ 0.49 $ 0.33 $ 0.15
For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, 464,000,
576,316, and 648,594 respectfully, options and warrants to purchase
shares of our Common Stock had exercise prices greater than the
average market price of the shares of our Common Stock.
The following potentially dilutive Common Stock equivalent securities,
including securities considered in the calculation of diluted earnings per
share, were outstanding at December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001.
2003 2002 2001
--------- --------- ---------
Stock options.......... 1,664,557 1,435,298 1,844,274
Exchangeable shares.... 352,271 1,205,172 384,779
Warrants............... ---- 301,667 1,024,610
Preferred Stock........ ---- ---- 634,203
--------- --------- ---------
2,016,828 2,942,137 3,887,866
========= ========= =========
(o) Reclassifications.
Where appropriate, certain items relating to the prior years have been
reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
As a result of the eFilm acquisition on June 28, 2002, we have
presented costs associated with service revenues as a component of cost of
sales.
(p) Segment Reporting.
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
Statement No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related
Information ("SFAS No. 131"). SFAS No. 131 establishes annual and interim
reporting standards for operating segments of a company. It also requires
entity-wide disclosures about the products and services an entity provides,
the material countries in which it holds assets and reports revenues, and its
major customers. We are not organized by multiple operating segments for the
purpose of making operating decisions or assessing performance. Accordingly,
we operate as one operating segment and report applicable enterprise-wide
disclosures.
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except for share and per share data)
(q) Foreign Currency Translation.
We use the United States of America Dollar ("U. S. Dollar") for
financial reporting purposes as substantially all of our billings are in U. S.
Dollars. The balance sheets of our foreign subsidiaries are translated into
U. S. Dollars using the balance sheet date exchange rate, and revenues and
expenses are translated using the average exchange rate for the period. The
resulting translation gains and losses are recorded as a component of
stockholders' equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are
reflected in the consolidated statements of income, as a component of other
income (expense), net.
On January 1, 2002, we changed the functional currency for the sales
office in Nuenen, the Netherlands to the U. S. Dollar from the Dutch Guilder,
as the majority of sales to customers transacted in U. S. Dollars continues to
increase. The functional currency for our operations in Japan and Canada
remain the Yen and Canadian Dollar, respectively.
(2) ACQUISITIONS
On July 17, 2003, we acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of
RIS Logic pursuant to a Merger Agreement dated July 9, 2003 for a total
purchase price of $16,984 consisting primarily of cash, vested options and
771,804 shares of Common Stock. RIS Logic has been in the business of the
development and sales of RIS products to end user imaging centers.
We paid a significant premium above the fair value of RIS Logic's
tangible net assets principally because we determined that RIS Logic's
software development ability and trade name are particularly important to us.
As we looked to the future, we foresaw the need to expand our software product
offerings to healthcare institutions and imaging centers as many of our
competitors are developing more integrated solutions. In addition, we expect
to be able to sell our software products to RIS Logic's customers. The fair
value of each share issued to RIS Logic was determined to be $14.305 using a
four-day average of the closing price of our Common Stock before and after
the signing of the definitive agreement.
An escrow of 173,093 shares of Common Stock was established as a
reserve for 18 months, which will terminate on January 16, 2005, against
any claims regarding breaches or representations and warranties.
On June 28, 2002, we acquired all the outstanding capital stock of
eFilm pursuant to a Stock Acquisition Agreement dated April 15, 2002 for a
total purchase price of $8,360 consisting primarily of 1,000,000 exchangeable
shares. eFilm has been in the business of development of medical imaging
workflow products and services, developing innovative medical image viewing
and related solutions within a clinical environment. Its assets included
accounts receivable, inventory, capital equipment and intangible assets.
We paid a significant premium above the fair value of eFilm's tangible
net assets principally for two reasons: eFilm's knowledge of our software
products through the joint development projects that were undertaken prior to
the acquisition and the ability to sell our products to existing eFilm
customers. Also, eFilm's software development ability is particularly
important because as we looked to the future, we foresaw the need to expand
our software product offerings to healthcare institutions as many of our
competitors are promising more integrated solutions. In addition, we expected
to be able to sell our higher price and high margin software products to
eFilm's customers and to use the eFilm Workstation(Trademark) as a way to have
the healthcare institutions become aware of us. The fair value of each
exchangeable share issued in the eFilm acquisition was determined to be
$7.736, using a three-day average closing price of our Common Stock after
signing the definitive agreement.
Each holder of eFilm exchangeable shares has the right, at any time
within five years of the acquisition date, to exchange their shares for our
Common Stock on a one-for-one-basis, subject to adjustment provisions. At
June 28, 2007, any remaining shares will automatically be converted to our
Common Stock. Each eFilm exchangeable share is entitled to vote together
with our Common Stock on our matters and be included in dividend rights
equivalent to our Common Stock.
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except for share and per share data)
We also established an escrow holdback of 116,590 exchangeable shares
for 18 months for indemnification with respect to certain potential claims. As
of December 28, 2003, the escrow holdback has been released.
For eFilm, the value assigned to acquired in-process technology was
determined by identifying the acquired specific in-process research and
development projects that would be continued, and for which (1) technological
feasibility had not been established at the acquisition date, (2) there was
no alternative future use, and (3) the fair value was estimable with
reasonable reliability. We estimated the fair value of the eFilm project to
be $148. Accordingly, this amount was immediately expensed in the
consolidated statement of operations upon the acquisition date.
The estimated fair value of the eFilm projects was determined by the
utilization of the income or consumption approach. Appraisal assumptions
utilized under this method included a forecast of estimated future net cash
flows, as well as discounting the future net cash flows to their present
value. We used a 25% discount rate, which was calculated using an industry
beta and capital structure.
In May 2002, we acquired certain assets of Aurora Technologies, Inc.
("Aurora") pursuant to an Asset Acquisition Agreement dated April 18, 2002
for a total purchase price of $917 consisting primarily of 93,901 shares of
Common Stock. Aurora was in the business of design, production and sale of
diagnostic radiology products and software that facilitate the viewing,
distribution and storage of digital images. Its assets included accounts
receivable, inventory, capital equipment and intangible assets. The fair
value of shares issued to Aurora was determined to be $8.43 per share or
equal to the closing price of our Common Stock as of May 17, 2002, the
signing date of the definitive agreement.
An escrow holdback of 18,780 shares of Common Stock was established
for 12 months, for indemnification with respect to certain potential claims.
As of September 30, 2003, the escrow holdback has been released.
The acquisitions were accounted for using the purchase method of
accounting. The accompanying consolidated statements of operations include
the results of operations for RIS Logic, acquired July 17, 2003, for eFilm,
acquired on June 28, 2002, and for Aurora, acquired on May 28, 2002, since
the respective acquisition dates. The amounts allocated to purchased and
developed software are being amortized over periods ranging from three to
five years. The estimated asset lives are determined based on projected
future economic benefits and expected life cycles of the technologies. The
amounts assigned to goodwill are not being amortized, but will be tested for
impairment annually or under certain circumstances that may indicate a
potential impairment. The following is a summary of purchase consideration
for the acquisitions:
RIS Logic eFilm Aurora
Form of Consideration Fair Value Fair Value Fair Value
- ------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Cash................................. $ 4,311 $ ---- $ 100
93,901 shares of Common Stock........ ---- ---- 792
771,804 shares of Common Stock....... 11,041 ---- ----
1,000,000 eFilm exchangeable shares.. ---- 7,737 ----
Vested stock options................. 1,452 437 ----
Transaction costs.................... 180 186 25
--------- --------- ---------
Total consideration.................. $ 16,984 $ 8,360 $ 917
========= ========= =========
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except for share and per share data)
The total purchase consideration of approximately $16,984, $8,360 and
$917 were allocated to the fair value of the net assets acquired in each of
these transactions as follows:
RIS Logic eFilm Aurora
--------- --------- ---------
Current assets................ $ 2,184 $ 403 $ 51
Other assets.................. 247 44 29
Purchased and developed
Technologies................ 1,483 1,193 85
Customer contracts............ 977 966 ----
Goodwill...................... 14,469 6,269 752
In-process research and
Development................. ---- 148 ----
Liabilities assumed........... (2,376) (663) ----
--------- --------- ---------
Total consideration........... $ 16,984 $ 8,360 $ 917
========= ========= =========
Of the amounts assigned to goodwill in the acquisitions, the $14,469
relating to the RIS Logic transaction and the $6,269 relating to the eFilm
transaction will not be deductible for federal income tax purposes, and the
$752 relating to the Aurora transaction will be deductible for federal income
tax purposes.
The following unaudited pro forma information shows our results of
operations as if the business combinations had occurred at the beginning of
the periods presented. This data is not indicative of the results of
operations that would have arisen if the business combinations had occurred at
the beginning of the respective periods. Moreover, this data is not intended
to be indicative of future results of operations.
Years Ended December 31,
-------------------------
2003 2002
--------- ---------
(unaudited)
Net sales..................... $ 31,538 $ 25,771
Net income.................... 5,341 2,034
Earnings per share:
Basic........................ $ 0.44 $ 0.18
Diluted...................... $ 0.40 $ 0.15
(3) ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
Substantially all receivables are derived from sales and related
support and maintenance of our products to healthcare providers located
throughout the United States and in certain foreign countries.
Our accounts receivable balance is reported net of an allowance for
bad debt. We provide for an allowance for estimated uncollectible accounts
based upon historical experience and management's judgment. At the end of
2003 and 2002, the allowance for estimated uncollectible accounts was $374 and
$293, respectively.
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except for share and per share data)
The following table shows the changes in our allowance for doubtful
account.
Additions
Balance at charged to Balance at
beginning costs and end of
Description of period expenses Deductions period
- -------------------------------------- --------- --------- ---------- ----------
For year ended December 31, 2003
Allowance for doubtful accounts....... $ 293 $ 81 $ ---- $ 374
For year ended December 31, 2002
Allowance for doubtful accounts....... $ 171 $ 264 $ (142) $ 293
For year ended December 31, 2001
Allowance for doubtful accounts....... $ 62 $ 133 $ (24) $ 171
(4) INDEBTEDNESS
(a) Line of Credit.
credit agreement with our bank, increasing our line to $15 million from $5
million, effective November 21, 2003, and maturing December 31, 2006. The
line is subject to covenants including financial covenants, as defined, with
respect to minimum net income, tangible net worth, current ratio, total
liabilities to tangible net worth ratio, interest coverage ratio, and other
customary convents. The interest rate on the line of credit is at a
variable rate that is equal to the prime rate as published in The Wall
Street Journal, less 0.75 percentage points. At December 31, 2003, the
loan's interest rate was 3.25%. No amounts were outstanding on the line
of credit as of December 31, 2003.
(b) Note Payable to Investor.
We have a $300 Canadian five-year non-interest-bearing note assumed
in the 1999 acquisition of Interpra. At December 31, 2003, the U. S. Dollar
equivalent of the note was approximately $231. The note was discounted to
reflect the current interest rate of 8% at the time the note was assumed. The
discount is being amortized over a five-year period. We recognized interest
expense related to this note of approximately $16, $13 and $19 in 2003, 2002
and 2001, respectively. The note is due and payable in August 2004.
(5) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
We maintain a defined contribution retirement plan (401(k)) covering
employees who meet the minimum service requirements and have elected to
participate. For 2003, we increased our matching contribution to a maximum
of 2.5% from the maximum of 2.0% in the previous years and added plan
participants from RIS Logic. Our matching contributions totaled $112, $77
and $70 for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except for share and per share data)
(6) INCOME TAXES
The provision for income tax consists of the following for the years
ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001.
2003 2002 2001
---------- ---------- -----------
Current:
Federal............... $ 1,409 $ (18) $ 18
State................. 232 2 2
Foreign............... 149 95 67
---------- ---------- -----------
Total current......... 1,790 79 87
Deferred:
Federal............... (835) ---- ----
State................. (358) ---- ----
Foreign............... 63 ---- ----
---------- ---------- -----------
Total deferred........ (1,130) ---- ----
========== ========== ===========
Total provision....... $ 660 $ 79 $ 87
========== ========== ===========
Actual income taxes vary from the expected income taxes (computed by
applying the statutory income tax rate of 35% to income before income taxes)
as a result of the following:
Years ended
December 31,
---------------------------------------------
2003 2002 2001
------------ ----------- -------------
Expected tax expense (benefit)................ $ 2,415 $ 1,261 $ 462
Total increase (decrease) in income taxes
Resulting from:
Nondeductible amortization and acquired
In-process technology...................... ---- 50 32
Change in the valuation allowance allocated
To income tax expense...................... (2,236) (1,650) (630)
Research and experimentation credit......... (134) (40) 16
Nondeductible expenses...................... 42 85 69
Foreign income taxes, net of federal income
Tax benefit................................ 558 ---- ----
State and local income taxes, net of
Federal income tax benefit................. 117 204 66
Foreign rate differential................... (43) 28 (38)
Other....................................... (59) 141 110
------------ ----------- -------------
Actual tax expense............................ $ 660 $ 79 $ 87
============ =========== =============
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except for share and per share data)
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December
31, 2003 and 2002 are presented below:
December 31,
-------------------------
2003 2002
--------- ---------
Deferred tax assets:
Accrued wages....................................... $ 206 $ 86
Research and experimentation credit carryforwards... 1,974 1,713
Other credit carryforwards.......................... 59 425
Net operating loss carryforwards.................... 1,684 980
Foreign net operating loss carryforwards............ 710 1,242
Other............................................... 215 326
--------- ---------
Total gross deferred tax assets...................... 4,848 4,772
Less valuation allowance............................ ---- (2,660)
--------- ---------
Net deferred tax asset.............................. 4,848 2,112
Deferred tax liabilities:
Software development costs and intangible assets.... (2,667) (1,694)
Contract intangibles................................ (594) (376)
Other............................................... (33) (42)
--------- ---------
Total gross deferred liabilities..................... (3,294) (2,112)
--------- ---------
Net deferred taxes................................... $ 1,554 $ ----
========= =========
Included on balance sheet:
Current assets: Deferred tax asset................. $ 3,541 $ ----
Non-current liabilities: Deferred tax liability..... (1,987) ----
--------- ---------
Net deferred taxes.................................. $ 1,554 $ ----
========= =========
The decrease in the valuation allowance for the years ending December
31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, was $2,660, $1,269 and $633, respectively.
Management has an obligation under SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes,
to review, at least annually, the components of our deferred tax assets. This
review is to ascertain, based upon the information available at the time of
the preparation of financial statements, that it is more likely than not,
expected to utilize these future deductions and credits. In the event that
management determines that it is more likely than not that future deductions
or tax credits will not be utilized, a valuation allowance should be recorded
to reduce the deferred tax asset to the amount expected to be realized.
During our review in 2003, it was determined that a valuation allowance was
not needed at December 31, 2003. This decision was based upon many factors,
both quantitative and qualitative, such as (1) our three years of positive
taxable income, before net operating loss deductions, (2) expected future
operating profitability, and (3) the relatively long expiration periods of net
operating losses and tax credits. However, fluctuation in the actual outcome
of these expectations could materially impact our tax expense, and deferred
tax assets in the future. Prior to 2003, the ultimate realization of deferred
tax assets, based upon the relatively low levels of historical taxable income,
was not likely.
In 2002, our gross deferred tax asset included $424 relating to the
deduction for disqualifying dispositions of employee incentive stock options.
In 2003, it was determined that, based upon continued profitability, it would
be appropriate to allocate the $424 from the deferred tax assets to additional
paid-in-capital relating to the income tax benefit we derived from
disqualifying dispositions of employee incentive stock options exercised prior
to 2003. The income tax benefit of disqualifying dispositions of employee
incentive stock option exercised during 2003 in the amount of $1,233 were
also recorded in additional paid-in-capital, and did not result in a benefit
to our statement of operations.
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except for share and per share data)
We benefited from federal, state, and foreign net operating losses
for the year ending December 31, 2003, in the amounts of $869, $225 and
$254, respectively. We made tax payments of $237 during 2003.
Our United States of America Federal statutory rate has increased
from 34% in previous years to 35% in 2003 because management believes that
35% because management believes that 35% is expected to be the statutory rate
that the deferred tax components will reverse in the future.
At December 31, 2003, after including RIS Logic, separate return
limitation year ("SRLY") federal and state net operating losses and credits,
we had federal net operating loss carryforwards and research credit
carryforwards of $3,853 and $1,614, respectively, state net operating loss
carryforwards and research credit carryforwards of $6,152 and $360,
respectively, and foreign federal and provincial net operating loss
carryforwards of $1,819 and $2,119, respectively.
These losses and credits are available to offset future taxable
income and tax in the future. The federal net operating loss and research
credit carryforwards expire at varying amounts beginning in 2007 and 2005,
respectively, and continue through 2020 and 2023, respectively. The state
net operating loss and research credit carryforwards expire in varying
amounts beginning in 2015 and 2005 respectively, and continue through 2023
and 2018, respectively. The foreign federal and provincial net operating
loss carryforwards expire in varying amounts beginning in 2004 and continue
through 2009. A portion of the income tax loss carryforwards and credits
are subject to certain limitations, which could impair our ability to
utilize the benefits of these losses and credits in the future. In
addition, if certain substantial changes in our ownership should occur,
tax loss and credit carryforwards may be further limited.
We file a consolidated federal income tax return.
(7) LEASES
We had various capital leases for computer equipment that expired in
early 2003. The gross amount of computer equipment under capitalized leases
and related depreciation at the following balance sheet dates was: at
December 31, 2003, equipment of $44 and accumulated depreciation of $8 and at
December 31, 2002, equipment of $43 and accumulated depreciation of $14.
We have a non-cancelable operating lease for our main office facility
that expires in June 2005. Total rent expense associated with this lease for
the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, was approximately $307, $304
and $334, respectively. Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable
operating leases (with initial or remaining lease terms in excess of one
year), as of December 31, 2003, are:
Operating
----------
2004................................ $ 717
2005................................. 565
2006................................. 415
2007................................. 419
2008................................. 408
2009 to 2013......................... 1,137
----------
Total minimum lease payments......... $ 3,661
==========
In February 2002, we entered into a lease amendment for our main
office facility in which we surrendered a portion of the premises. As a
result, the aggregate minimum future lease payment commitment decreased by
$240.
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except for share and per share data)
(8) SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(a) Common Stock.
During 2003, warrants to purchase 104,001 shares of Common Stock were
exercised.
In July 2003, we issued 771,804 shares of our Common Stock to the
shareholders of RIS Logic to acquire 100% of their outstanding stock. We did
not use any underwriters to complete the transaction. The transaction was
exempt from registration as a private offering under Regulation D and Section
4 (2) of the Securities Act.
In July 2003, we sold 666,664 shares of our Common Stock in an
offering exempt from registration as a non-public offering, which raised
$8 million of gross proceeds before any expenses associated with the offering
of these shares. The monies raised are for general corporate purposes. Fees
of $240 and 35,000 shares of our Common Stock were paid to Belle Haven
Investments, L. P., a placement agent. All shares were sold in a non-public
offering exempt under Regulation D and Section 4 (2) of the Securities Act
and only to persons who were accredited investors.
In August and September of 2002, we issued 1,910 shares of Common
Stock to non-employee directors as consideration for meeting fees.
In July 2002, we issued 2,846 shares of Common Stock to Series A
Preferred Stock shareholders as payment for dividends.
In July 2002, we issued 2,066 shares of Common Stock to non-employee
directors as consideration for meeting fees.
In May and June of 2002, warrants to purchase 709,343 shares of Common
Stock were exercised.
In May and June of 2002, we issued 637,236 shares of Common Stock for
the conversion of Series A Preferred Stock.
In May 2002, we issued 93,901 shares of Common Stock as part of the
purchase price for the Asset Purchase Agreement between Signal Stream, Inc.,
a wholly owned subsidiary known know as Merge Aurora, and Aurora.
In April 2002, we issued 1,484 shares of Common Stock to non-employee
directors as consideration for meeting fees.
In January 2002, we issued 2,526 shares of Common Stock to non-employee
directors as consideration for meeting fees.
In January 2002, we issued 2,128 shares of Common Stock to Series A
Preferred Stock shareholders as payment for dividends.
In January 2002, warrants to purchase 13,600 shares of Common Stock
were exercised.
(b) Special Voting Preferred Stock.
At the end of 2003 and 2002, we had one share of our Special Voting
Preferred Stock issued and outstanding. The one share issued to our former
transfer agent, serves as a trustee in voting matters on behalf of the
Interpra exchangeable shareholders.
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except for share and per share data)
(c) Series 2 Special Voting Preferred Stock.
At the end of 2003 and 2002, we had one share of Series 2 Special
Voting Preferred Stock issued to our former transfer agent, which serves as a
trustee in voting matters on behalf of the eFilm exchangeable shareholders.
(d) Series A Preferred Stock.
In the second quarter of 2002, we exercised our right to convert all
outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock on a one-for-one basis into
637,236 shares of Common Stock.
(e) Stock Option Plans.
We maintain a stock option plan for our employees that provides for
the grant of a maximum of 3,265,826 options to purchase shares of our Common
Stock. Under this plan, options have an exercise price equal to the fair
market value of our Common Stock at the date of grant. The majority of the
options vest over a four-year period at 25% per year. The majority of the
options granted under this plan expire six years from the date of grant. At
December 31, 2003, there were 595,155 options available to grant.
In July 2003, our Board of Directors adopted a stock option plan for
the employees of RIS Logic that provides for the grant of a maximum of
300,000 options to purchase shares of Common Stock. Under the plan, 127,697
vested options were granted as rollover options as part of the acquisition
agreement at an exercise price of $2.94 per option. An additional 148,500
options were granted and have an exercise price equal to the fair market
value of our Common Stock at the date of grant, vest over a four-year
period at 25% per year and expire six years from the date of grant. All
options granted under this plan are considered to be nonstatutory options
under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. At December 31, 2003,
there are 23,803 options available to grant under the plan. We do not
intend to grant any more options in the future from this plan.
We also maintain a stock option plan for our non-employee directors,
which provides for the granting of a maximum of 300,000 options to purchase
shares of our Common Stock. Under this plan, options have an exercise price
equal to the fair market value of our Common Stock at the date of grant. The
majority of options granted under this plan are vested at the date of grant.
The options granted under this plan expire ten years and one day from the
date of grant. At December 31, 2003, there were 125,425 options available
to grant.
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant
using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
Expected
Option
Year of Life Excepted Dividend Risk-free
Grant (in years) Volatility Yield Interest Rate
- -------- ---------- ---------- -------- --------------
1999 6 - 10 50% 0% 5.83% - 6.49%
2000 6 - 10 50% - 70% 0% 5.73% - 6.50%
2001 6 - 10 50% 0% 3.90% - 5.41%
2002 6 - 10 50% 0% 2.95% - 5.18%
2003 0 - 10 50% 0% 0.90% - 3.27%
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except for share and per share data)
A summary of stock option activity is as follows:
WEIGHTED
WEIGHTED AVERAGE
AVERAGE FAIR VALUE
EXERCISE OF OPTIONS
NUMBER PRICE GRANTED
---------- ----------- ----------
Options outstanding, December 31, 2000......... 1,806,663 $ 2.09
Options granted................................ 185,000 $ 1.60 $ 0.89
Options exercised.............................. (23,422) 1.29
Options forfeited.............................. (123,967) 2.63
----------
Options outstanding, December 31, 2001......... 1,844,274 $ 2.01
Options granted................................ 532,281 $ 6.30 $ 3.40
Options exercised.............................. (851,812) 1.81
Options forfeited and expired.................. (89,445) 3.21
----------
Options outstanding, December 31, 2002......... 1,435,298 $ 3.62
==========
Options granted................................ 824,324 $ 11.42 $ 6.37
Options exercised.............................. (551,690) 3.88
Options forfeited and expired.................. (43,375) 6.58
----------
Options outstanding, December 31, 2003......... 1,664,557 7.34
==========
Options exercisable, December 31, 2003......... 678,203 $ 4.28
==========
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding
at December 31, 2003:
Options Outstanding Options Exercisable
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------
WEIGHTED
AVERAGE
RANGE OF REMAINING WEIGHTED WEIGHTED
EXERCISE NUMBER OF CONTRACTUAL LIFE AVERAGE EXERCISE NUMBER OF AVERAGE EXERCISE
PRICES SHARES IN YEARS PRICE SHARES PRICE
- ------------- --------- ---------------- ---------------- --------- ----------------
$ 1.00 - $1.47 216,305 2.95 $ 1.130 156,646 $ 1.180
$ 1.51 - $2.13 343,528 2.71 1.996 234,208 2.001
$ 2.75 - $4.00 59,677 3.04 3.445 38,427 3.341
$ 4.16 - $6.00 147,750 4.47 4.776 69,125 4.776
$ 6.35 - $8.19 406,081 5.02 7.053 103,081 7.118
$ 9.78 - $13.05 55,500 7.60 11.280 30,000 9.775
$14.77 - $16.86 435,716 5.80 15.793 46,716 15.948
---------- --------
1,664,557 4.45 $ 7.337 678,203 $ 4.277
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except for share and per share data)
(f) Stock Purchase Plan.
We maintain an employee stock purchase plan which allows employees to
purchase stock at 85% of the lesser of the stock price at the start of the
plan year or the end of each calendar quarter. Contributions to the employee
stock purchase plan are made through payroll deductions. Employees contributed
$153, $76, and $70 during 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively, to purchase
shares of our Common Stock under the employee stock purchase plan.
(g) Warrants.
In August 2003, the remaining 11,667 warrants of the 25,267 warrants to
purchase shares of Common Stock, issued in January of 2001, were exercised at
$1.00 per share.
In April and July of 2003, 92,334 warrants to purchase shares of
Common Stock, issued in October of 2000, were exercised at $1.156 per share.
In May and June of 2002, 709,343 warrants to purchase shares of Common
Stock were exercised. Of the 709,343 warrants exercised, 403,225 were issued
in October of 2001, 12,000 were issued in February of 2001, and the remaining
294,118 were issued in December of 2000. The warrants issued in October of
2001 were exercised at $2.00 per share and the warrants issued in February of
2001 and December of 2000 were exercised at $1.00 per share.
In January 2002, 13,600 of the 25,267 warrants to purchase shares of
Common Stock, issued in January of 2001, were exercised at $1.00 per share.
At December 31, 2003, no warrants to purchase our Common Stock were
outstanding.
(h) Exchange Rights.
As part of our acquisition of eFilm, we granted rights for the
issuance of 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock to holders of eFilm exchangeable
shares on a one-for-one basis. As of December 31, 2003, there were 336,145
eFilm exchangeable shares outstanding.
As part of its acquisition of Interpra, we granted rights for the
issuance of 420,000 shares of Common Stock to holders of Interpra exchangeable
shares on a one-for-one basis. Exchangeable shareholders also have the right
to require us to purchase the exchangeable shares at $4.50 per share from
August 31, 2004 through September 30, 2004. As of December 31, 2003, there
were 16,126 Interpra exchangeable shares outstanding.
(9) CONCENTRATIONS
Substantially all of our cash is held at one United States of America
financial institution. Deposits held with the bank exceed the amount of
insurance provided on such deposits. Generally these deposits may be redeemed
upon demand and, therefore, bear minimal risk.
Substantially all of our clients are imaging centers, hospitals and
integrated delivery networks. If significant adverse macro-economic factors
were to impact these organizations, it could materially adversely affect us.
Our access to certain software and hardware components is dependent upon
single and sole source suppliers. The inability of any supplier to fulfill
our supply requirements could affect future results.
At December 2001, we had a long-term accounts receivable balance from
one customer in the amount of $193. Monthly payments due over 63 months
commenced in March 2002. The receivable bears interest at a rate of 6.3%.
As of December 31, 2003, the balance due was $147 of which the current portion
of $45 is classified as accounts receivable.
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except for share and per share data)
Foreign sales, denominated in U. S. Dollars, accounted for
approximately 37%, 38% and 36% of our net sales for the years ended December
31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively. For the years ended December 31,
2003, 2002 and 2001, sales in foreign currency represented 3%, 4%, and 5%,
respectively, of our net sales.
We maintain sales offices in Nuenen, the Netherlands and Toronto,
Ontario, Canada. Revenues are attributed to countries based on the
originating office of the related orders. Net sales for the Netherlands sales
office were approximately $5,875, $5,440 and $4,440 in the years ended December
31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. Net sales for the sales office in
Canada were $4,200 and $1,749 for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002.
For 2001 there were no sales attributed to our office in Canada. The value
of long-lived assets in service at the Nuenen and Toronto sales offices was
not material in 2003 and 2002.
Although we maintain a sales office in Tokyo, Japan, orders from
customers in Japan are processed in the United States of America and are
considered United States of America based sales. The value of long-lived
assets in service at the Tokyo office was not material in 2003 and 2002.
For the year ended December 31, 2003, we had one customer that
comprised 14% of net sales. We had one customer that comprised 18% of net
sales for the year ended December 31, 2002. No one customer represented 10%
or more of accounts receivable at December 31, 2003. One customer represented
13% of accounts receivable at December 31, 2002.
(10) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In April 2003, Richard A. Linden, President and Chief Executive
Officer, repaid the remaining $25 note receivable for a stock subscription.
In December 2002, William C. Mortimore, Chairman and Chief
Strategist, repaid the $10 promissory note, issued in February 2001.
(11) QUARTERLY RESULTS (UNAUDITED)
2003 Quarterly Results March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales..................... $ 6,117 $ 6,434 $ 7,619 $ 8,507
Income before income taxes.... 1,496 1,709 1,835 1,858
Net income.................... 1,317 1,400 1,625 1,897
Basic earnings per share...... $ 0.12 $ 0.13 $ 0.13 $ 0.15
Diluted earnings per share.... $ 0.11 $ 0.12 $ 0.12 $ 0.14
2002 Quarterly Results
- ------------------------------
Net sales..................... $ 4,534 $ 4,183 $ 5,322 $ 6,747
Income before income taxes.... 725 614 1,058 1,311
Net income.................... 704 600 1,046 1,279
Basic income per share........ $ 0.09 $ 0.07 $ 0.10 $ 0.12
Diluted income per share...... $ 0.07 $ 0.06 $ 0.09 $ 0.11
Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING
AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
None.
Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
- -----------------------------------------
Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have
concluded, based on their evaluation as of a date within 90 days prior to the
filing date of this report, that our disclosure controls and procedures are
effective for gathering, analyzing and disclosing the information we are
required to disclose in our reports filed under the Exchange Act. There have
been no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that
could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of the
previously mentioned evaluation.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial
reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the
Exchange Act) during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially
affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control
over financial reporting.
PART III
----------
Certain information required by Part III is omitted from this Form
10-K because the Registrant will file its definitive proxy statement pursuant
to Section 240.14a-101 (the "Proxy Statement") not later than 120 days after
the end of the year covered by this Report, and certain information included
therein is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to
the information set forth under the caption "Management" in our Proxy Statement
for the 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
The information regarding our audit committee members and audit
committee financial experts is incorporated by reference to the information
set forth under the caption "Board Committees; Independence of Directors" and
"Audit Committee Report" in our Proxy Statement for the 2004 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders.
The information regarding our code of ethics that applies to the
principal executive officer, principal operations officer, principal financial
officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing
similar functions to any of the above is included as Exhibit 99.1 of this
Form 10-K.
Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
- ---------------------------------------
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to
the information set forth under the caption "Management - Executive
Compensation" in our Proxy Statement for the 2004 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders.
Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference
to the information set forth under the caption "Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management" in our Proxy Statement for the 2004 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders.
Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to
the information set forth under the caption "Related Party Transactions" in
our Proxy Statement for the 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
- -------------------------------------------------------
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to
the information set forth under the caption "Certain Transactions" in our
Proxy Statement for the 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Item 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
- ---------------------------------------------------------
(a) EXHIBIT NO.
- ---- ------------
2.1 Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 1, 1999 by and among Merge
Technologies Incorporated, 3032854 Nova Scotia Company and Interpra
Medical Imaging Network Ltd.(11)
2.2 Reorganization Agreement between Merge Technologies Incorporated,
Merge Technologies Holdings Co., eFilm Medical Inc., Patrice Bret,
Gregory Couch and Catherine McCallum, dated as of April 15, 2002.(13)
2.3 Merger Agreement by and among Merge Technologies Incorporated, RL
Acquisition Corp, RIS Logic Incorporated, and the Principal
Shareholders of RIS Logic Incorporated dated July 9, 2003.(14)
3.1 Articles of Incorporation of Registrant(2), Articles of Amendment as
filed on December 28, 1998(3), Articles of Amendment as filed on
September 2, 1999(6), Articles of Amendment as filed on February
23, 2001(6), and Articles of Amendment as filed on August 9, 2002
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of Registrant as of February 3, 1998(1)
10.1 Employment Agreement entered into as of March 1, 2004, between
Registrant and Richard A. Linden
10.2 Employment Agreement entered into as of March 1, 2004, between
Registrant and William C. Mortimore
10.3 Employment Agreement entered into as of March 1, 2004, between
Registrant and Scott T. Veech
10.4 Employment Agreement entered into as of March 1, 2004, between
Registrant and David M. Noshay
10.5 1996 Stock Option Plan for Employees of Registrant dated May 13,
1996(2)
10.6 Office Lease for West Allis Center dated May 24, 1996, between
Registrant and Whitnall Summit Company, LLC, Supplemental Office
Lease dated July 3, 1997(1), Supplemental Office Space Lease dated
January 30, 1999(2), Supplemental Office Space Lease for 1126 West
Allis Operating Associates Limited Partnership dated April 11,
2000(4) and Second Amendment to Lease dated January 11, 2002,
between Registrant and 1126 West Allis Operating Associates, Limited
Partnership(7)
10.7 1999 Stock Option Plan For Directors(1)
10.8 1996 Stock Option Plan for Employees of Registrant dated May 13,
1996, as amended and restated in its entirety as of September 1,
2003(10)
10.9 2003 Stock Option Plan of Registrant dated June 24, 2003, and
effective July 17, 2003(10)
10.10 Merge Technologies Incorporated 2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as
amended
10.11 Loan Agreement dated as of November 21, 2003, by and between
Registrant and Lincoln State Bank
10.12 Asset Purchase Agreement by and among Signal Stream, Inc., a wholly
owned subsidiary of Merge Technologies Incorporated and Aurora
Technology Inc., entered into as of April 18, 2002.(12)
23.1 Consent of KPMG LLP
31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 13(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 13(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
32 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
Pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Section 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906
of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002)
99.1 Code of Ethics
99.2 Whistleblower Policy
- ---------------------------------------------------
(1) Incorporated by reference from Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.
(2) Incorporated by reference from Registration Statement on Form SB-2
(No. 333-39111) effective January 29, 1998.
(3) Incorporated by reference from Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for
the three months ended March 31, 1999.
(4) Incorporated by reference from Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for
the three months ended March 31, 2000.
(5) Incorporated by reference from Proxy Statement for 2000 Annual
Mailing of Shareholders dated May 9, 2000.
(6) Incorporated by reference from Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2000.
(7) Incorporated by reference from Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2001.
(8) Incorporated by reference from Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2002.
(9) Incorporated by reference from Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
three months ended June 30, 2003.
(10) Incorporated by reference from Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
three months ended September 30, 2003.
(11) Incorporated by reference from Current Report on Form 8-K dated
September 3, 1999.
(12) Incorporated by reference from Current Report on Form 8-K dated
May 22, 2002.
(13) Incorporated by reference from Current Report on Form 8-K dated
June 28, 2002.
(14) Incorporated by reference from Current Report on Form 8-K dated
July 17, 2003.
(b) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
- --- --------------------
On October 30, 2003, we filed a Form 8-K to report in Item 12 the
financial results for the third quarter of our fiscal year 2003.
SIGNATURES
------------
In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange of
1934, the Registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
REGISTRANT:
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
Date: March 15, 2004 By: /s/ Richard A. Linden
-------------------------------------
Richard A. Linden
President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: March 15, 2004 By: /s/ Scott T. Veech
-------------------------------------
Scott T. Veech
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer
and Secretary
In accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Date: March 15, 2004 By: /s/ William C. Mortimore
-------------------------------------
William C. Mortimore
Director and Chairman
Date: March 15, 2004 By: /s/ Robert A. Barish, M. D.
-------------------------------------
Robert A. Barish, M. D.
Director
Date: March 15, 2004 By: /s/ Dennis Brown
-------------------------------------
Dennis Brown
Director
Date: March 15, 2004 By: /s/ Michael D. Dunham
-------------------------------------
Michael D. Dunham
Director
Date: March 15, 2004 By: /s/ Robert T. Geras
-------------------------------------
Robert T. Geras
Director
Date: March 15, 2004 By: /s/ Anna M. Hajek
-------------------------------------
Anna M. Hajek
Director
Date: March 15, 2004 By: /s/ Richard A. Linden
-------------------------------------
Richard A. Linden
Director
Date: March 15, 2004 By: /s/ Richard A. Reck
-------------------------------------
Richard A. Reck
Director
Date: March 15, 2004 By: /s/ Frank E. Seidelmann, D.O.
-------------------------------------
Frank E. Seidelmann, D.O.
Director
- -------------
Exhibit 23.1
- -------------
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
---------------------------------
The Board of Directors
Merge Technologies Incorporated:
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration
statements on Form S-3 (Nos. 333-93965, 333-75900, 333-100103 and
333-108481) and on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-34884, 333-40832, 333-40882,
333-100104, 333-107991 and 333-107997) of Merge Technologies Incorporated
of our report dated February 18, 2004, with respect to the consolidated
balance sheets of Merge Technologies Incorporated as of December 31, 2003
and 2002, and the related statements of operations, shareholders' equity,
cash flows and comprehensive income for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 2003, which report appears in the
annual report on Form 10-K of Merge Technologies Incorporated for the year
ended December 31, 2003. Our report on the consolidated financial
statements refers to the adoption of the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible
Assets, on January 1, 2002.
/s/ KPMG LLP
- ----------------------
Chicago, Illinois
March 12, 2004
- -------------
Exhibit 31.1
- -------------
CERTIFICATION
---------------
Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002
I, Richard A. Linden, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Merge Technologies
Incorporated (the "Registrant");
2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary
to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which
such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period
covered by this annual report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this annual report, fairly present in all
material respects the financial condition, results of operations and
cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in
this annual report;
4. The Registrant's other certifying officer and I (herein, the
"Certifying Officers") are responsible for establishing and maintaining
disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules
13(a)-14 and 15(d)-14) for the Registrant and we have:
a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure
that material information relating to the Registrant,
including its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, the
"Company"), is made known to the Certifying Officers by others
within the Company, particularly during the period in which
this annual report is being prepared; and
b) evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant's disclosure
controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to
the filing date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date");
and
c) presented in this annual report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based
on our evaluation as the Evaluation Date; and
5. The Registrant's Certifying Officers have disclosed, based on the
Certifying Officers' most recent evaluation, to the Registrant's
auditors and the Audit Committee of the Registrant's Board of
Directors:
a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of
internal controls that would adversely affect the Registrant's
ability to record, process, summarize and report financial
data and have identified for the Registrant's auditors any
material weakness in internal controls; and
b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management
or other employees who have a significant role in the
Registrant's internal controls; and
6. The Certifying Officers have indicated in the annual report whether
or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other
factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent
to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective
actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material
weaknesses.
Date: March 15, 2004
/s/ Richard A. Linden
- -------------------------------------------
Richard A. Linden, Chief Executive Officer
See also the certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes - Oxley
Act of 2002, which is included as an exhibit to this report.
- -------------
Exhibit 31.2
- -------------
CERTIFICATION
---------------
Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002
I, Scott T. Veech, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Merge Technologies
Incorporated (the "Registrant");
2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary
to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which
such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period
covered by this annual report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this annual report, fairly present in all
material respects the financial condition, results of operations and
cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in
this annual report;
4. The Registrant's other certifying officer and I (herein, the
"Certifying Officers") are responsible for establishing and maintaining
disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules
13(a)-14 and 15(d)-14) for the Registrant and we have:
a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure
that material information relating to the Registrant,
including its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, the
"Company"), is made known to the Certifying Officers by others
within the Company, particularly during the period in which
this annual report is being prepared; and
b) evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant's disclosure
controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to
the filing date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date");
and
c) presented in this annual report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based
on our evaluation as the Evaluation Date; and
5. The Registrant's Certifying Officers have disclosed, based on the
Certifying Officers' most recent evaluation, to the Registrant's
auditors and the Audit Committee of the Registrant's Board of
Directors:
a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of
internal controls that would adversely affect the Registrant's
ability to record, process, summarize and report financial
data and have identified for the Registrant's auditors any
material weakness in internal controls; and
b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management
or other employees who have a significant role in the
Registrant's internal controls; and
6. The Certifying Officers have indicated in the annual report whether
or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other
factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent
to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective
actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material
weaknesses.
Date: March 15, 2004
/s/ Scott T. Veech
- -------------------------------------------
Scott T. Veech, Chief Financial Officer
See also the certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes - Oxley
Act of 2002, which is included as an exhibit to this report.
- -----------
Exhibit 32
- -----------
CERTIFICATION of CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER and CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002
In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of MERGE
TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED (the "Company") for the year ended December 31,
2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof
(the "Report"), Richard A. Linden, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company,
and Scott T. Veech, as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, each hereby
certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section
906 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of their knowledge:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section
13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in
all material respects, the financial condition and results
of operations of the Company.
Date: March 15, 2004 By: /s/ Richard A. Linden
---------------------------------
Richard A. Linden
Chief Executive Officer
Date: March 15, 2004 By: /s/ Scott T. Veech
---------------------------------
Scott T. Veech
Chief Financial Officer
This certification accompanies the Report pursuant to Section 906 of
the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not, except to the extent required
by the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002, be deemed filed by the Company for
purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
See also the certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes - Oxley
Act of 2002, which are included in this annual report on Form 10-K.
- --------------
EXHIBIT 3.1
- --------------
ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT
TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED, a corporation organized and existing
under Chapter 180 of the Wisconsin Statues (the "Corporation"), does hereby
certify as follows:
1. The name of the Corporation is MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED.
2. The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the
Corporation, as amended, are further amended as follows:
ARTICLE IV
------------
The Preferred Shares set forth in the table contained in this Article IV are
amended by creating a series entitled "Series 2 Special Voting Stock", which
series shall have one (1) share, with the powers, preferences, rights,
qualifications, limitations and restrictions as set forth on Exhibit A to this
Amendment to the Corporation's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation,
as amended.
3. The number of Preferred Shares, Series 2 Special Voting Stock,
created is one (1).
4. The above Amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended, was adopted on June 28, 2002.
5. The above Amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation of the Corporation was duly adopted in accordance with Section
180.1002 of the Wisconsin Statutes. The Amendment was adopted by the board
of directors, and shareholder action was not required.
6. None of the Preferred Shares, Series 2 Special Voting Stock,
has been issued.
Dated this 28th day of June, 2002.
By: /s/ Colleen M. Doan
---------------------------
Its: Secretary
This document was drafted by and is returnable to:
Michael A. Cramarosso, Esq.
Shefsky & Froelich Ltd.
444 North Michigan Avenue
Suite 2500
Chicago, Illinois 60611
(312) 836-4029
EXHIBIT A
-----------
TO THE ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT
TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
The distinguishing designation of the Preferred Shares, Series 2
Special Voting Stock, including the powers, preferences, rights,
qualifications, limitations and restrictions are as follows:
1. DIVIDENDS. Neither the holder nor, if different, the owner of
the Series 2 Special Voting Share shall be entitled to receive dividends in its
capacity as holder or owner thereof.
2. VOTING RIGHTS. The holder of record of the Series 2 Special
Voting Share shall be entitled to all of the voting rights, including the right
to vote in person or by proxy, of the Series 2 Special Voting Share on any
matters, questions, proposals or propositions whatsoever that may properly come
before the shareholders of the Corporation at a meeting of the shareholders or
in connection with a consent of shareholders.
3. LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE. Upon any voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, the holder of the
Special Voting Share shall be entitled to receive out of the assets of the
Corporation available for distribution to the shareholders, an amount equal to
$0.01 before any distribution is made on the common stock of the Corporation
or any other stock ranking junior to the Series 2 Special Voting Share as to
distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up.
4. RANKING. The Series 2 Special Voting Share shall, with respect
to rights on liquidation, winding up and dissolution, rank (i) senior to all
classes of common stock of the Corporation and (ii) junior to any other class
or series of capital stock of the Corporation.
5. REDEMPTION. The Series 2 Special Voting Share shall not be
subject to redemption, except that at such time as no exchangeable shares
("Exchangeable Shares") of e-Film Medical, Inc. (other than Exchangeable
Shares owned by the Corporation and its affiliates) shall be outstanding,
and no shares of stock, debt, options or other agreements which could give
rise to the issuance of any Exchangeable Shares to any person (other than
the Corporation and its affiliates) shall exist the Series 2 Special Voting
Share shall automatically be redeemed and canceled, for an amount equal to
$0.01 due and payable upon such redemption. Upon any such redemption or
other purchase or acquisition of the Series 2 Special Voting Share by the
Corporation, the Series 2 Special Voting Share shall be deemed retired and
canceled and may not be reissued.
6. OTHER PROVISIONS. Pursuant to the terms of the certain
Trust Agreement to be dated as June 28, 2002 by and between U.S. Bank N.A.,
e-Film Medical, Inc., a Canadian corporation and the Corporation, as such
agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time (the
"Trust Agreement"):
a. During the term of the Trust Agreement, the Corporation
may not, without the consent of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares (as
defined in the Trust Agreement), issue any shares of its Series 2 Special
Voting Stock in addition to the Series 2 Special Voting Share;
b. the Series 2 Special Voting Share entitles the holder of
record to a number of votes at meetings of holders of common shares of the
Corporation equal to the number of Exchangeable Shares outstanding from time
to time (other than the Exchangeable Shares held by the Corporation and its
affiliates);
c. the Trustee (as defined by the Trust Agreement) shall exercise
the votes held by the Series 2 Special Voting Share pursuant to and in
accordance with the Trust Agreement;
d. the voting rights attached to the Series 2 Special Voting
Share shall terminate pursuant to and in accordance with the Trust Agreement;
and
e. the powers, designations, preferences and relative,
participating, optional and other special rights, and the qualifications,
limitations and restrictions of such Series 2 Special Voting Share shall
be otherwise provided in the Trust Agreement.
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EXHIBIT 10.1
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EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
--------------------
THIS AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made and entered into as of March 1,
2004, by and between RICHARD A. LINDEN (the "Executive") and MERGE TECHNOLOGIES
INCORPORATED, a Wisconsin corporation (the "Company"). The terms of this
Agreement shall supercede the terms of the Employment Agreement dated November
29, 2001 and the amendment thereto.
R E C I T A L S:
A. The Company is engaged in the provision of medical diagnostic
imaging connectivity hardware, software and consulting solutions for healthcare
facilities. The business in which the Company is engaged in time-to-time
during the term of this Agreement, inclusive of those new lines of business, if
any, in which the Company is working toward entering from time-to-time are
hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Business"; and
B. The Company desires to employ the Executive and the Executive
desires to accept such employment;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises, mutual
covenants and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,
the Company and the Executive do hereby agree as follows:
1. Employment and Duties. On the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company agrees to employ the
Executive as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company to perform
such duties as are consistent with such position(s) as may be assigned, from
time to time, by the Board of Directors (the "Board") of the Company and to
render such additional services and discharge such other responsibilities as
the Board may, from time to time, stipulate consistent with such senior
management position.
2. Performance. The Executive accepts the employment
described in Section 1 of this Agreement and agrees to devote substantially all
of his working time and efforts to the faithful and diligent performance of
the services described herein, including the performance of such other
services and responsibilities as the Board may, from time to time, stipulate
consistent with such senior management position.
3. Term. The term of Executive's employment with the
Company commenced on September 1, 2000 (the "Commencement Date"). The term
of employment shall remain in effect until terminated by either Executive or
the Company by giving thirty (30) days written notice of termination. The
period of time in which Executive is employed shall constitute the "Employment
Period," and each calendar year or portion of a calendar year during the
parties agree that this Agreement may be terminated subject to the aforesaid
notice requirement by either party without cause or good reason at any time,
and if by mutual consent without the obligation to pay any severance. The
Board of Directors or appropriate committee thereof will review the
Employment Agreement at its sole discretion, but no less frequently than
every three (3) years subsequent to the date of this Agreement.
4. Salary. For all the services to be rendered by the
Executive hereunder, commencing March 1, 2004, the Company agrees to pay a
salary at a rate of no less than Twenty Thousand Eight Hundred Thirty-Three
Dollars ($20,833.00) per month, payable in the manner and frequency in which
the Company's payroll is customarily handled, and subject to increase at the
time annual reviews of the salaries of other senior executive officers are
to be conducted ("Salary").
5. Bonus. The Executive shall be eligible for an annual
performance bonus of up to fifty percent (50%) of Salary, dependent on
achievement of defined Company and individual performance targets. As Chief
Executive Officer of the Company, adjustments to compensation package,
including base pay, annual bonus and annual stock option awards, will be
mutually agreed upon by Executive and the Board of Directors of the Company
or appropriate committee thereof. For each Year the annual performance
bonus is to be paid, it shall be paid within thirty (30) days of the
completion of the year-end financial statements for that Year, but in no
event later than May 31 of the following year. The Board of Directors or
appropriate committee thereof, may change the bonus target annually and any
dispute as to whether Executive met the performance targets for a Year
shall be determined conclusively by the Executive Committee of the Board.
6. Paid Time Off. The Executive shall be entitled to
paid time off for vacation, illness, holiday and personal reasons in
accordance with the Company's paid time off policy at the rate offered to
the most senior employees of the Company with the longest tenure.
7. Relocation Allowance. Should the Executive move
his permanent residence at least thirty-five (35) miles closer to the
Company's offices in Milwaukee, then the Company will reimburse Executive's
relocation costs.
8. Insurance. During the Employment Period, the Company
shall be entitled to procure life insurance for the Company's sole benefit
and at the Company's sole cost and the Executive agrees to cooperate in
obtaining such insurance.
9. Disability Benefit. If at any time during the
Employment Period the Executive is unable to perform fully the material
and substantial duties hereunder by reason of illness, accident, or other
disability (as confirmed by competent medical evidence by a physician
selected by the Executive Committee), the Executive shall be entitled to
receive periodic payments of Salary to which he would otherwise be entitled
pursuant to Section 4 of this Agreement by reason of his employment for a
period of ninety (90) days. Notwithstanding the foregoing provision (i) the
amounts payable to the Executive pursuant to this Section 9 shall be reduced
by any amounts received by the Executive with respect to any such incapacity
pursuant to any insurance policy, plan, or other employee benefit provided
to the Executive by the Company; and (ii) in no event will the terms of this
Agreement supersede any health or disability benefit to which Executive is
entitled under applicable state or federal law.
10. Stock Options. Executive was awarded stock options
for 100,000 shares of the Company's stock on March 2, 2004 at a price equal
to the closing price of the Company's stock on such date. These stock
options have a four year vesting schedule with 25% to be vested on each of
the first, second, third and fourth anniversary dates of the date of grant.
Executive was also granted stock options at various prior dates subject to
the vesting schedules associated with such grants. Additional stock options
may be awarded in the future in the sole discretion of the Board.
11. Change in Control. In the event of a "change in
control" of the Company ("change in control" of the Company shall mean a
change in the ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding
stock of the Company in a single transaction or series of transactions
effected by a third party or third parties acting in concert or a change
of fifty percent (50%) or more of the members of the Board in a single
transaction or series of transactions effected by any third party or third
parties acting in concert, other than pursuant to nomination of a new slate
of directors where there has been no material change in beneficial ownership
of the Company within 365 days preceding such nomination), all of the options
will immediately vest and become exercisable. In the event of a change in
control as (described above) and if the Executive is: (i) involuntarily
terminated within 365 days following the change in control; or (ii)
voluntarily terminates his employment with the Company within 365 days,
following either: (a) any reduction in Executive's responsibilities or
authority with respect to the Business; (b) a reduction in Executive's
compensation package, including then current salary, in effect immediately
prior to the change in control; or (c) the Company's principal place of
business is relocated more than 30 miles further from the Company's current
headquarters location as of the date of this Agreement; then the Executive
will be entitled to (A) twelve months then current Salary as a change in
control allowance, to be paid in a single payment within thirty (30) days
of such termination of Executive's employment, plus (B) an amount equal to
the maximum amount of the Executive's bonus set forth in Section 5 for
the plan year in which the Executive's effective date of termination
occurs without regard to the achievement of performance targets, to be
paid in a single payment within thirty (30) days of the termination of
Executive's employment, and (C) a continuation of the welfare benefits of
health care, life and accidental death and dismemberment, and disability
insurance coverage (collectively, "Supplemental Benefits") for twelve (12)
months after the effective date of termination. These benefits shall be
provided at the same cost to the Executive (if any), and at the same
coverage level, as in effect as of the Executive's effective date of
termination. However, in the event the premium cost and/or level of
coverage shall change for all management employees with respect to
Supplemental Benefits, the cost and/or coverage level, likewise, shall
change for the Executive in a corresponding manner. The continuation of
Supplemental Benefits shall be discontinued in the event Executive has
available substantially similar welfare benefits at a comparable cost
from a subsequent employer.
In addition, upon a "change of control" as defined above, the Company
will deposit Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) into an
interest-bearing escrow account (the "Escrow") to be held by a third party
mutually acceptable to the Executive and the Company. The cost of such escrow
shall be paid by the Company. The purpose of the escrow shall be to provide
Executive a "stay bonus" to help assure a smooth transition if the acquiror in
a change of control transaction requests that Executive continue his employment
with the Company in an executive or managerial capacity suitable for
Executive's background, although not necessarily the same position previously
occupied by Executive. The compensation, bonus and benefits to be paid to
Executive during such period following the change in control must be at least
the same as paid or provided prior to closing except for minor changes in
Supplemental Benefits. Executive's services pursuant to this paragraph shall
be performed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin except for travel consistent with
Executive's position prior to the change in control. The total amount in such
Escrow, including interest thereon, will be paid to the Executive twelve
months following the change in control if Executive has substantially performed
the services requested to be performed by the acquiror following such change
of control transaction. If the acquiror does not request Executive's service
after the change in control, no amount shall be paid to Executive from the
Escrow. If the acquiror requests less than a full year of service, a pro rata
amount of the Escrow shall be paid to Executive based upon the number of
months or partial months worked divided by twelve. At the end of the stay
bonus performance period Executive shall have a period of thirty days following
the termination of such services or 365 days following the change of control,
whichever is later, to terminate his services with the Company and be entitled
to receive the change of control payments in addition to the stay bonus
described in this paragraph.
12. Other Benefits. Except as otherwise specifically
provided herein, during the Employment Period, the Executive shall be eligible
for all non-wage benefits the Company provides generally for its other salaried
employees.
13. Business Expenses.
(a) Reimbursement. The Company shall reimburse the
Executive for the reasonable, ordinary, and necessary business expenses incurred
by him in connection with the performance of his duties hereunder, including,
but not limited to, ordinary and necessary travel expenses and entertainment
expenses and mobile phone expenses.
(b) Accounting. The Executive shall provide the Company
with an accounting of his expenses, which accounting shall clearly reflect
which expenses are reimbursable by the Company. The Executive shall provide
the Company with such other supporting documentation and other substantiation
of reimbursable expenses as will conform to Internal Revenue Service or other
requirements. All such reimbursements shall be payable by the Company to the
Executive promptly after receipt by the Company of appropriate documentation
therefor.
14. Severance. In the event that the Executive is
terminated for any reason other than gross negligence, commission of a felony
or material violation of any established Company policies, the Company shall
pay the Executive, as a severance allowance, (A) an amount equal to twelve
(12) months of his then current Salary plus (B) an amount equal to the maximum
amount of the Executive's bonus set forth in Section 5 for the plan year in
which the Executive's effective date of termination occurs without regard to
the achievement of performance targets, and (C) a continuation of the welfare
benefits of health care, life and accidental death and dismemberment, and
disability insurance coverage (collectively, "Supplemental Benefits") for
twelve (12) months after the effective date of termination. These benefits shall
be provided at the same cost to the Executive (if any), and at the same
coverage level, as in effect as of the Executive's Effective Date of
Termination. However, in the event the premium cost and/or level of coverage
shall change for all management employees with respect to Supplemental Benefits,
the cost and/or coverage level, likewise, shall change for the Executive in a
corresponding manner. The amount of the severance allowance provided for
in subsections (A) and (B) of this Section 14 shall be paid in a single lump
sum within thirty (30) days of the termination of the Executive's employment.
From time to time, the Executive's severance allowance shall be subject to
review and upward adjustment at the time reviews and adjustments of the
severance allowance for other senior executives of Company are to be
conducted. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the
event the Executive elects to receive (pursuant to the operation of Section
11) twelve (12) months' then current salary following a change in control
event and Executive's voluntary or involuntary termination, then Executive
shall not be entitled to any payment of severance pursuant to this Section
14. In the event a change in control occurs and the Executive is not
entitled to twelve (12) months' then current salary pursuant to Section 11,
then the Executive shall continue to be entitled to receive severance
payments per this Section 14.
15. Surrender of Properties. Upon termination of the
Executive's employment with the Company, regardless of the cause therefor, the
Executive shall promptly surrender to the Company all property provided him by
the Company for use in relation to his employment, and, in addition, the
Executive shall surrender to the Company any and all confidential sales
materials, lists of customers and prospective customers, price lists, files,
patent applications, records, models, or other materials and information of or
pertaining to the Company or its customers or prospective customers or the
products, Business, and operations of the Company in his possession.
16. Inventions and Secrecy. Except as otherwise provided
in this Section 16, the Executive:
(a) shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of
the Company all secret or confidential information, knowledge, or data of the
Company or its Business or production operations obtained by the Executive
during his employment by the Company, which shall not be generally known to
the public or recognized as standard practice (whether or not developed by the
Executive) and shall not, during his employment by the Company and after the
termination of such employment for any reason, communicate or divulge any such
information, knowledge or data to any person, firm or corporation other than
the Company or persons, firms or corporations designated by the Company;
(b) shall promptly disclose to the Company all inventions,
ideas, devices, and processes made or conceived by him alone or jointly with
others, from the time of entering the Company's employ until such employment
is terminated, relevant or pertinent in any way, whether directly or
indirectly, to the Company's Business or production operations or resulting
from or suggested by any work which he may have done for the Company or at
its request;
(c) shall, at all times during his employment with the
Company, assist the Company (entirely at the Company's expense) to obtain
and develop for the Company's benefit patents on such inventions, ideas,
devices and processes, whether or not patented; and
(d) shall do all such acts and execute, acknowledge and
deliver all such instruments as may be necessary or desirable in the opinion
of the Company to vest in the Company the entire interest in such inventions,
ideas, devices, and processes referred to above.
The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, the Executive shall
not be required to assign or offer to assign to the Company any of the
Executive's rights in any invention for which no equipment, supplies,
facility, or trade secret information of the Company was used and which was
developed entirely on the Executive's own time, unless: (A) the invention
related to (i) the Business of the Company; or (ii) the Company's actual or
demonstrably anticipated (with the realistic prospect of occurring) research
or development; or (B) the invention results from any work performed by the
Executive for the Company. The Executive acknowledges his prior receipt of
written notification of the limitation set forth in the preceding sentence on
the Executive's obligation to assign or offer to assign to the Company the
Executive's rights in inventions.
17. Confidentiality of Information: Duty of Non-Disclosure.
(a) The Executive acknowledges and agrees that his
employment by the Company under this Agreement necessarily involves his
understanding of and access to certain trade secrets and confidential
information pertaining to the Business of the Company. Accordingly, the
Executive agrees that after the date of this Agreement at all times he will
not, directly or indirectly, without the express consent of the Company,
disclose to or use for the benefit of any person, corporation or other entity,
or for himself any and all files, trade secrets or other confidential
information concerning the internal affairs of the Company, including, but not
limited to, information pertaining to its customers, prospective customers,
services, products, earnings, finances, operations, methods or other
activities, provided, however, that the foregoing shall not apply to
information which is of public record or is generally known, disclosed or
available to the general public or the industry generally, or known by
Executive prior to his employment with the Company. Further, the Executive
agrees that he shall not, directly or indirectly, remove or retain, without
the express prior written consent of the Company, and upon termination of this
Agreement for any reason shall return to the Company, any confidential figures,
calculations, letters, papers, records, computer disks, computer print-outs,
lists, documents, instruments, drawings, designs, programs, brochures, sales
literature, or any copies thereof, or any information or instruments derived
therefrom, or any other similar information of any type or description,
however such information might be obtained or recorded, arising out of or in
any way relating to the Business of the Company or obtained as a result of
his employment by the Company. The Executive acknowledges that all of the
foregoing are proprietary information, and are the exclusive property of the
Company. The covenants contained in this Section 17 shall survive the
termination of this Agreement.
(b) The Executive agrees and acknowledges that the Company
does not have any adequate remedy at law for the breach or threatened breach by
the Executive of his covenant, and agrees that the Company shall be entitled
to injunctive relief to bar the Executive from such breach or threatened breach
in addition to any other remedies which may be available to the Company at law
or in equity.
18. Covenant Not to Compete.
(a) During Employment Period. During the Employment Period,
the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, which
consent may be withheld at the sole and reasonable discretion of the Company,
engage in any other business activity for gain, profit, or other pecuniary
advantage (excepting the investment of funds in such form or manner as will
not require any services on the part of the Executive in the operation of the
affairs of the companies in which such investments are made) or engage in or
in any manner be connected or concerned, directly or indirectly, whether as
an officer, director, stockholder, partner, owner, employee, creditor, or
otherwise, with the operation, management, or conduct of any business that
competes with the Business of the Company.
(b) Following Termination of Employment Period. Within the
one (1) year period immediately following the end of the Employment Period,
regardless of the reason therefore, the Executive shall not engage in the
following, but only to the extent that these activities compete in a similar
Business to the Company, without the prior written consent of the Company,
which consent may be withheld at the sole discretion of the Company: (A) engage
in or in any manner be connected or concerned, directly or indirectly, whether
as an officer, director, stockholder, partner, owner, employee, creditor, or
otherwise with the operation, management, or conduct of any business similar
to the Business being conducted at the time of such termination within a
100-mile radius from Milwaukee, Wisconsin; (B) directly solicit, contact,
interfere with, or divert any customer served by the Company for the Business,
or any prospective customer identified by or on behalf of the Company, during
the Executive's employment with the Company; or (C) directly solicit any
employee then employed by the Company or previously employed by the Company
within the one year period preceding termination of the Executive's
employment with the Company to join the Executive, whether as a partner,
agent, employee or otherwise, in any enterprise engaged in a business similar
to the Business of the Company being conducted at the time of such termination.
(c) Acknowledgment. The Executive acknowledges that the
restrictions set forth in Section 18 are reasonable in scope and essential to
the preservation of the Business of the Company and proprietary properties and
that the enforcement thereof will not in any manner preclude the Executive, in
the event of the Executive's termination of employment with the Company, from
becoming gainfully employed in such manner and to such extent as to provide a
standard of living for himself, the members of his family, and those dependent
upon him of at least the sort and fashion to which he and they have become
accustomed and may expect.
(d) Severability. The covenants of the Executive contained
in Section 18 of this Agreement shall each be construed as an agreement
independent of any other provision in this Agreement, and the existence of any
claim or cause of action of the Executive against the Company, whether
predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to
the enforcement by the Company of such covenants. Both parties hereby
expressly agree and contract that it is not the intention of either party to
violate any public policy, or statutory or common law, and that if any
sentence, paragraph, clause, or combination of the same of this Agreement is
in violation of the law, such sentence, paragraph, clause or combination of
the same shall be void, and the remainder of such paragraph and this Agreement
shall remain binding on the parties to make the covenants of this Agreement
binding only to the extent that it may be lawfully done. In the event that any
part of any covenant of this Agreement is determined by a court of law to be
overly broad thereby making the covenant unenforceable, the parties hereto
agree, and it is their desire, that such court shall substitute a judicially
enforceable limitation in its place, and that as so modified the covenant
shall be binding upon the parties as if originally set forth herein.
19. Arbitration.
(a) Subject to the terms of Section 21(h) below, upon
presentation of a written claim or claims (collectively "Claims") arising out
of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach hereof, by an aggrieved party,
the other party shall have thirty (30) days in which to make such inquiries of
the aggrieved party and conduct such investigations as it believes reasonably
necessary to determine the validity of the Claims. At the end of such period of
investigation, the complained of party shall either pay the amount of the Claims
or the arbitration proceeding described in Section 19(b) shall be invoked,
subject to the terms of Section 19(g) below.
(b) In the event that the Claims are not settled by the
procedure set forth in Section 19(a), the Claims shall be submitted to
arbitration conducted in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules
("Rules") of the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") except as amplified
or otherwise varied hereby.
(c) The parties shall submit the dispute to the Milwaukee,
Wisconsin regional office of the AAA and the situs of the arbitration shall be
Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(d) The arbitration shall be conducted by a single
arbitrator. The parties shall appoint the single arbitrator to arbitrate the
dispute within ten (10) business days of the submission of the dispute. In the
absence of agreement as to the identity of the single arbitrator to arbitrate
the dispute within such time, the AAA is authorized to appoint an arbitrator in
accordance with the rules, except that the arbitrator shall have as his
principal place of business the Milwaukee, Wisconsin metropolitan area.
(e) The single arbitrator selected by AAA shall be an
attorney licensed to practice by the State of Wisconsin.
(f) Anything in the Rules to the contrary notwithstanding,
the arbitration award shall be made in accordance with the following procedure:
(i) in the event the dispute involves monetary relief, each party shall, at
the commencement of the arbitration hearing, submit an initial statement of
the amount each party proposes be selected by the arbitrator as the
arbitration award ("Settlement Amount"). During the course of the arbitration,
each party may vary its proposed Settlement Amount. At the end of the
arbitration hearing, each party shall submit to the arbitrator its final
Settlement Amount ("Final Settlement Amount"), and the arbitrator shall be
required to select either one or the other Final Settlement Amounts as the
arbitration award without discretion to select any other amount as the award.
The arbitration award shall be paid within thirty (30) business days after the
award has been made, together with interest from the date of award at the rate
of nine percent (9%). Judgment upon the award may be entered in any federal or
state court having jurisdiction over the parties; (ii) in the event the dispute
involves the interpretation of this Agreement, each party shall submit an
initial statement of the interpretation each party proposes be selected by the
arbitrator as the arbitration award ("Proposed Interpretation"). During the
course of the arbitration, each party may vary its Proposed Interpretation. At
the end of the arbitration hearing, each party shall submit to the arbitrator
its final Proposed Interpretation, and the arbitrator shall select either one
or the other final Proposed Interpretations, or a reasonable alternative, as
the arbitration award. Judgment upon the award may be entered in any federal
or state court having jurisdiction over the parties
(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, any matter which pursuant to the terms of this Agreement is to be
resolved by the Board or the Executive Committee of the Board in its sole
discretion shall be so resolved without arbitration.
20. Excise Tax Equalization Payment
(a) Excise Tax Equalization Payment. Notwithstanding
anything contained in this Agreement or any other agreement between Executive
and the Company to the contrary, in the event that the Executive becomes
entitled to severance benefits or any other payment or benefit under this
Agreement, or under any other agreement with or plan or compensation
arrangement with the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates (in the aggregate,
the "Total Payments"), if all or any part of the Total Payments will be subject
to the tax (the "Excise Tax") imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (or any
similar tax that may hereafter be imposed), the Company shall pay to the
Executive in cash an additional amount (the "Gross-Up Payment") such that the
net amount retained by the Executive after deduction of any Excise Tax upon
the Total Payments and any federal, state, and local income or employment tax,
penalties, interest, and Excise Tax upon the Gross-Up Payment provided for by
this Section 20 (including FICA and FUTA), shall be equal to the Total
Payments. Such payment shall be made by the Company to the Executive as soon
as practical following the effective date of change in control but in no event
beyond thirty (30) days from such date or the determination that Excise tax is
required to be imposed.
(b) Tax Computation. For purposes of determining whether
any of the Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax and the amounts of
such Excise Tax:
(i) The Change in Control or severance benefits and
any other payments or benefits received or to be received by the
Executive in connection with a Change in Control of the Company
or the Executive's termination of employment (whether pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement,
or agreement with the Company and subsidiaries or affiliates, or
with any Person whose actions result in a Change in Control of
the Company or any Person affiliated with the Company or such
Persons) shall be treated as "parachute payments" within the
meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, and all "excess
parachute payments" within the meaning of Section 280G(b )(1)
shall be treated as subject to the Excise Tax, unless in the
opinion of a nationally recognized tax counsel selected by the
Company's independent auditors and reasonably acceptable to the
Executive: (A) the Severance Benefits and such other payments or
benefits (in whole or in part) do not constitute parachute
payments; (B) such excess parachute payments (in whole or in
part) represent reasonable compensation for services actually
rendered within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(4) of the Code in
excess of the base amount within the meaning of Section
280G(b)(3) of the Code; or (iii) are otherwise not subject to
the Excise Tax;
(ii) The amount of the Total Payments which shall be
treated as subject to the Excise Tax shall be equal to the
lesser of: (A) the total amount of the Total Payments; or (B)
the amount of excess parachute payments within the meaning of
Section 280G(b)(1) (after applying clause (i) above); and
(iii) The value of any noncash benefits or any
deferred payment or benefit shall be determined by the
Company's independent auditors in accordance with the
principles of Sections 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code.
For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive
shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest marginal rate of
federal income taxation in the calendar year in which the Gross-Up Payment is to
be made, and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rate of
taxation in the state and locality of the Executive's residence on the Effective
Date of Change in Control or Termination.,
(c) Subsequent Recalculation. In the event the Internal
Revenue Service adjusts the computation of the Company under Section 20 herein
so that the Executive did not receive the greatest net benefit, the Company
shall reimburse the Executive for the full amount necessary to make the
Executive whole, plus a market rate of interest, as determined by the national
tax counsel referred to above.
(d) Costs of Calculations. The Company agrees to bear all
costs associated with this Section.
21. General Provisions.
(a) Goodwill. The Company has invested substantial time and
money in the development of its products, services, territories, advertising and
marketing thereof, soliciting clients and creating goodwill. By accepting
employment with the Company, the Executive acknowledges that the customers are
the customers of the Company, and that any goodwill created by the Executive
belongs to and shall inure to the benefit of the Company.
(b) Notices. Any notice required or permitted hereunder
shall be made in writing (i) either by actual delivery of the notice into the
hands of the party thereunder entitled, or (ii) by depositing the notice with
a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, all shipping costs prepaid
and addressed to the party to whom the notice is to be given at the party's
respective address set forth below, or such other address as the parties may
from time to time designate by written notice as herein provided.
As addressed to the Company:
Merge Technologies Incorporated
1126 South 70th Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53214-3151
Attention: Chairman of Compensation Committee
With a copy to:
Shefsky & Froelich Ltd.
444 North Michigan Avenue
Suite 2500
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Attention: Mitchell D. Goldsmith, Esquire
As addressed to the Executive:
Mr. Richard A. Linden
To his last address as appears on the
records of the Company
The notice shall be deemed to be received on the date of its actual receipt by
the party entitled thereto.
(c) Amendment and Waiver. No amendment or modification of this
Agreement shall be valid or binding upon the Company unless made in writing
and signed by an officer of the Company duly authorized by the Board or upon
the Executive unless made in writing and signed by him. The waiver by the
Company of the breach of any provision of this Agreement by the Executive shall
not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by him.
(d) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire
Agreement between the parties with respect to the Executive's duties and
compensation as an executive of the Company, and there are no representations,
warranties, agreements or commitments between the parties hereto with respect
to his employment except as set forth herein. No presumption shall be made in
favor or against either party based upon who has served as draftsman of this
Agreement.
(e) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the internal laws (and not the law of conflicts)
of the State of Wisconsin.
(f) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall, for
any reason, be held unenforceable, such provision shall be severed from this
Agreement unless, as a result of such severance, the Agreement fails to reflect
the basic intent of the parties. If the Agreement continues to reflect the
basic intent of the parties, then the invalidity of such specific provision
shall not affect the enforceability of any other provision herein, and the
remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
(g) Assignment. The Executive may not under any circumstances
delegate any of his rights and obligations hereunder without first obtaining
the prior written consent of the Company. This Agreement and all of the
Company's rights and obligations hereunder may be assigned or transferred
by it, in whole or in part, to be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
any subsidiary or successor of the Company, provided either the successor
has a net worth greater than the Company at the time of assignment or the
Company remains primarily liable with respect to the obligations so
assigned.
(h) Costs of Enforcement, Litigation. In the event of any suit or
proceeding seeking to enforce the terms, covenants, or conditions of this
Agreement, the prevailing party shall, in addition to all other remedies and
relief that may be available under this Agreement or applicable law, recover
his or its reasonable attorneys' fees and costs as shall be determined and
awarded by the court. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in
Section 19 above or elsewhere herein any controversy or dispute with respect
to the terms of Section 15, 16, 17 or 18 of this Agreement will survive
termination of this Agreement and shall be litigated in the state of federal
courts of competent jurisdiction situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to which
jurisdiction and venue all parties consent.
(i) Mitigation. The Executive shall not be obligated to seek
other employment in mitigation of the amounts payable under this Agreement,
and the obtaining of any such other employment shall in no event effect any
reduction of the Company's obligations to make payments hereunder.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Executive receives the payments described
in Section 11 by terminating his employment following a change in control
and Executive subsequently becomes re-employed by the Company or by the
party or parties effecting the change in control, the amounts earned on
re-employment (up to a period of one year's compensation) shall be repaid
to the Company.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement is entered into as of the day and
year first above written.
COMPANY:
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
By: /s/ Anna Marie Hajek
----------------------------
Chairman of the Compensation Committee
EXECUTIVE:
By: /s/ Richard A. Linden
----------------------------
RICHARD A. LINDEN
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EXHIBIT 10.2
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EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
----------------------
THIS AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made and entered into as of March 1,
2004 by and between WILLIAM C. MORTIMORE (the "Executive") and MERGE
TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED, a Wisconsin corporation (the "Company"). The terms
of this Agreement shall supercede the terms of the Employment Agreement dated
December 21, 2001 as amended.
R E C I T A L S:
A. The Company is engaged in the provision of medical diagnostic
imaging connectivity hardware, software and consulting solutions for healthcare
facilities. The business in which the Company is engaged in time-to-time
during the term of this Agreement, inclusive of those new lines of business, if
any, in which the Company is working toward entering from time-to-time are
hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Business"; and
B. The Company desires to employ the Executive and the Executive
desires to accept such employment;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises, mutual covenants and
agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the
Executive do hereby agree as follows:
1. Employment and Duties. On the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company agrees to employ the
Executive as the Chief Strategy Officer of the Company to perform such duties
as are consistent with such position(s) as may be assigned, from time to time,
by the Board of Directors (the "Board") or Chief Executive Officer of the
Company and to render such additional services and discharge such other
responsibilities as the Board or Chief Executive Officer may, from time to
time, stipulate consistent with such senior management position.
2. Performance. The Executive accepts the employment described in
Section 1 of this Agreement and agrees to devote three days a week, consisting
of approximately 30 hours per week, to the faithful and diligent performance
of the services described herein, including the performance of such other
services and responsibilities as the Board or Chief Executive Officer may, from
time to time, stipulate consistent with such senior management position. The
time requirement shall be revisited on a quarterly basis.
3. Term. The term of Executive's employment with the Company under
this Agreement commenced as of the date hereof (the "Commencement Date"). The
term of employment shall remain in effect until terminated by either Executive
or the Company by giving thirty (30) days written notice of termination. The
period of time in which Executive is employed shall constitute the "Employment
Period," and each calendar year or portion of a calendar year during the
Employment Period is hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "Year." The parties
agree that this Agreement may be terminated subject to the aforesaid notice
requirement by either party without cause or good reason at any time, and if by
mutual consent without the obligation to pay any severance. The Board of
Directors or appropriate committee thereof will review the Employment Agreement
at its sole discretion, but no less frequently than every three (3) years
subsequent to the date of this Agreement.
4. Salary. For all the services to be rendered by the Executive
hereunder, commencing as of November 1, 2003 the Company agrees to pay a salary
at a rate of no less than Eight Thousand Three Hundred Thirty-Three Dollars
($8,333.00) per month, payable in the manner and frequency in which the
Company's payroll is customarily handled, and subject to increase at the time
annual reviews of the salaries of other senior executive officers are to be
conducted ("Salary").
5. Bonus. The Executive shall be eligible for an annual performance
bonus of up to ten percent (10%) of Salary, dependent on achievement of defined
Company and individual performance targets. As an Executive Officer of the
Company, adjustments to compensation package, including base pay, annual bonus
and annual stock option awards, will be recommended by the Chief Executive
Officer of the Company and subject to approval of the Board of Directors of
the Company or appropriate committee thereof. For each Year the annual
performance bonus is to be paid, it shall be paid within thirty (30) days of
the completion of the year-end financial statements for that Year, but in no
event later than May 31 of the following year. The Chief Executive Officer,
subject to approval of the Board of Directors or appropriate committee thereof,
may change the bonus target annually and any dispute as to whether Executive
met the performance targets for a Year shall be determined conclusively by the
Chief Executive Officer and Compensation Committee of the Board.
6. Paid Time Off. The Executive shall be entitled to paid time
off for vacation, illness, holiday and personal reasons in accordance with the
Company's paid time off policy at the rate offered to the most senior employees
of the Company with the longest tenure. Paid time off shall be appropriately
adjusted for all purposes on a pro rata basis to take into account Executive's
part-time status.
7. Disability Benefit. If at any time during the Employment Period
the Executive is unable to perform fully the material and substantial duties
hereunder by reason of illness, accident, or other disability (as confirmed by
competent medical evidence by a physician selected by the Executive Committee),
the Executive shall be entitled to receive periodic payments of Salary to which
he would otherwise be entitled pursuant to Section 4 of this Agreement by
reason of his employment for a period of ninety (90) days. Notwithstanding the
foregoing provision (i) the amounts payable to the Executive pursuant to this
Section 7 shall be reduced by any amounts received by the Executive with respect
to any such incapacity pursuant to any insurance policy, plan, or other
employee benefit provided to the Executive by the Company; and (ii) in no event
will the terms of this Agreement supersede any health or disability benefit to
which Executive is entitled under applicable state or federal law.
8. Stock Options. Stock options may be awarded to Executive on an
annual or other basis pending recommendation and approval by the Chief Executive
Officer and Board.
9. Change in Control. In the event of a "change in control" of the
Company ("change in control" of the Company shall mean a change in the ownership
of fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding stock of the Company in a
single transaction or series of transactions effected by a third party or third
parties acting in concert or a change of fifty percent (50%) or more of the
members of the Board in a single transaction or series of transactions effected
by any third party or third parties acting in concert, other than pursuant to
nomination of a new slate of directors where there has been no material change
in beneficial ownership of the Company within 365 days preceding such
nomination), all of the options will immediately vest and become exercisable.
In the event of a change in control as (described above) and if the Executive
is: (i) involuntarily terminated within 365 days following the change in
control; or (ii) voluntarily terminates his employment with the Company within
365 days, following either: (a) any reduction in Executive's responsibilities
or authority with respect to the Business; (b) a reduction in Executive's
compensation package, including then current salary, in effect immediately
prior to the change in control; or (c) the Company's principal place of
business is relocated more than 30 miles further from the Company's current
headquarters location as of the date of this Agreement; then the Executive will
be entitled to (A) twelve months then current Salary as a change in control
allowance, to be paid in a single payment within thirty (30) days of such
termination of Executive's employment, plus (B) an amount equal to the maximum
amount of the Executive's bonus set forth in Section 5 for the plan year in
which the Executive's effective date of termination occurs without regard to
the achievement of performance targets , to be paid in a single payment
within thirty (30) days of the termination of Executive's employment, and
(C) a continuation of the welfare benefits of health care, life and accidental
death and dismemberment, and disability insurance coverage (collectively,
"Supplemental Benefits") for twelve (12) months after the effective date of
termination. These benefits shall be provided at the same cost to the
Executive (if any), and at the same coverage level, as in effect as of the
Executive's effective date of termination. However, in the event the premium
cost and/or level of coverage shall change for all management employees with
respect to Supplemental Benefits, the cost and/or coverage level, likewise,
shall change for the Executive in a corresponding manner. The continuation
of Supplemental Benefits shall be discontinued in the event Executive has
available substantially similar welfare benefits at a comparable cost from
a subsequent employer.
In addition, upon a "change of control" as defined above, the Company
will deposit Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) into an interest-bearing escrow
account (the "Escrow") to be held by a third party mutually acceptable to the
Executive and the Company. The cost of such escrow shall be paid by the Company
The purpose of the escrow shall be to provide Executive a "stay bonus" to
help assure a smooth transition if the acquiror in a change of control
transaction requests that Executive continue his employment with the Company in
an executive or managerial capacity suitable for Executive's background,
although not necessarily the same position previously occupied by Executive.
The compensation, bonus and benefits to be paid to Executive during such period
following the change in control must be at least the same as paid or provided
prior to closing except for minor changes in Supplemental Benefits. Executive's
services pursuant to this paragraph shall be performed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
except for travel consistent with Executive's position prior to the change in
control. The total amount in such Escrow, including interest thereon, will be
paid to the Executive twelve months following the change in control if Executive
has substantially performed the services requested to be performed by the
acquiror following such change of control transaction. If the acquiror does not
request Executive's service after the change in control, no amount shall be paid
to Executive from the Escrow. If the acquiror requests less than a full year of
service, a pro rata amount of the Escrow shall be paid to Executive based upon
the number of months or partial months worked divided by twelve. At the end of
the stay bonus performance period Executive shall have a period of thirty days
following the termination of such services or 365 days following the change of
control, whichever is later, to terminate his services with the Company and be
entitled to receive the change of control payments in addition to the stay
bonus described in this paragraph.
10. Other Benefits. Except as otherwise specifically provided
herein, during the Employment Period, the Executive shall be eligible for all
non-wage benefits the Company provides generally for its other salaried
employees.
11. Business Expenses.
(a) Reimbursement. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for
the reasonable, ordinary, and necessary business expenses incurred by him in
connection with the performance of his duties hereunder, including, but not
limited to, ordinary and necessary travel expenses and entertainment expenses
and mobile phone expenses.
(b) Accounting. The Executive shall provide the Company with an
accounting of his expenses, which accounting shall clearly reflect which
expenses are reimbursable by the Company. The Executive shall provide the
Company with such other supporting documentation and other substantiation of
reimbursable expenses as will conform to Internal Revenue Service or other
requirements. All such reimbursements shall be payable by the Company to the
Executive promptly after receipt by the Company of appropriate documentation
therefor.
12. Severance. In the event that the Executive is terminated for
any reason other than gross negligence, commission of a felony or material
violation of any established Company policies, the Company shall pay the
Executive, as a severance allowance, (A) an amount equal to six (6) months of
his then current Salary plus (B) an amount equal to the maximum amount of the
Executive's bonus set forth in Section 5 for the plan year in which the
Executive's effective date of termination occurs without regard to the
achievement of performance targets, and (C) a continuation of the welfare
benefits of health care, life and accidental death and dismemberment, and
disability insurance coverage (collectively, "Supplemental Benefits") for
twelve (12) months after the effective date of termination. These benefits
shall be provided at the same cost to the Executive (if any), and at the same
coverage level, as in effect as of the Executive's Effective Date of
Termination. However, in the event the premium cost and/or level of coverage
shall change for all management employees with respect to Supplemental
Benefits, the cost and/or coverage level, likewise, shall change for the
Executive in a corresponding manner. The amount of the severance allowance
provided for in subsections (A) and (B) of this Section 12 shall be paid in a
single lump sum within thirty (30) days of the termination of the Executive's
employment. From time to time, the Executive's severance allowance shall be
subject to review and upward adjustment at the time reviews and adjustments of
the severance allowance for other senior executives of Company are to be
conducted. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in
the event the Executive elects to receive (pursuant to the operation of
Section 9) twelve (12) months' then current salary following a change in
control event and Executive's voluntary or involuntary termination, then
Executive shall not be entitled to any payment of severance pursuant to this
Section 12. In the event a change in control occurs and the Executive is not
entitled to twelve (12) months' then current salary pursuant to Section 9, then
the Executive shall continue to be entitled to receive severance payments per
this Section 12.
13. Surrender of Properties. Upon termination of the Executive's
employment with the Company, regardless of the cause therefor, the Executive
shall promptly surrender to the Company all property provided him by the
Company for use in relation to his employment, and, in addition, the Executive
shall surrender to the Company any and all confidential sales materials, lists
of customers and prospective customers, price lists, files, patent
applications, records, models, or other materials and information of or
pertaining to the Company or its customers or prospective customers or the
products, Business, and operations of the Company in his possession.
14. Inventions and Secrecy. Except as otherwise provided in this
Section 14, the Executive:
(a) shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the
Company all secret or confidential information, knowledge, or data of the
Company or its Business or production operations obtained by the Executive
during his employment by the Company, which shall not be generally known to the
public or recognized as standard practice (whether or not developed by the
Executive) and shall not, during his employment by the Company and after the
termination of such employment for any reason, communicate or divulge any such
information, knowledge or data to any person, firm or corporation other than
the Company or persons, firms or corporations designated by the Company;
(b) shall promptly disclose to the Company all inventions, ideas,
devices, and processes made or conceived by him alone or jointly with others,
from the time of entering the Company's employ until such employment is
terminated, relevant or pertinent in any way, whether directly or indirectly,
to the Company's Business or production operations or resulting from or
suggested by any work which he may have done for the Company or at its
request;
(c) shall, at all times during his employment with the Company,
assist the Company (entirely at the Company's expense) to obtain and develop
for the Company's benefit patents on such inventions, ideas, devices and
processes, whether or not patented; and
(d) shall do all such acts and execute, acknowledge and deliver
all such instruments as may be necessary or desirable in the opinion of the
Company to vest in the Company the entire interest in such inventions, ideas,
devices, and processes referred to above.
The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, the Executive shall
not be required to assign or offer to assign to the Company any of the
Executive's rights in any invention for which no equipment, supplies,
facility, or trade secret information of the Company was used and which was
developed entirely on the Executive's own time, unless: (A) the invention
related to (i) the Business of the Company; or (ii) the Company's actual or
demonstrably anticipated (with the realistic prospect of occurring) research
or development; or (B) the invention results from any work performed by the
Executive for the Company. The Executive acknowledges his prior receipt of
written notification of the limitation set forth in the preceding sentence
on the Executive's obligation to assign or offer to assign to the Company
the Executive's rights in inventions.
15. Confidentiality of Information: Duty of Non-Disclosure.
(a) The Executive acknowledges and agrees that his employment by
the Company under this Agreement necessarily involves his understanding of and
access to certain trade secrets and confidential information pertaining to the
Business of the Company. Accordingly, the Executive agrees that after the date
of this Agreement at all times he will not, directly or indirectly, without the
express consent of the Company, disclose to or use for the benefit of any
person, corporation or other entity, or for himself any and all files, trade
secrets or other confidential information concerning the internal affairs of
the Company, including, but not limited to, information pertaining to its
customers, prospective customers, services, products, earnings, finances,
operations, methods or other activities, provided, however, that the foregoing
shall not apply to information which is of public record or is generally known,
disclosed or available to the general public or the industry generally, or
known by Executive prior to his employment with the Company. Further, the
Executive agrees that he shall not, directly or indirectly, remove or retain,
without the express prior written consent of the Company, and upon termination
of this Agreement for any reason shall return to the Company, any confidential
figures, calculations, letters, papers, records, computer disks, computer
print-outs, lists, documents, instruments, drawings, designs, programs,
brochures, sales literature, or any copies thereof, or any information or
instruments derived therefrom, or any other similar information of any type or
description, however such information might be obtained or recorded, arising
out of or in any way relating to the Business of the Company or obtained as a
result of his employment by the Company. The Executive acknowledges that all
of the foregoing are proprietary information, and are the exclusive property
of the Company. The covenants contained in this Section 15 shall survive the
termination of this Agreement.
(b) The Executive agrees and acknowledges that the Company does
not have any adequate remedy at law for the breach or threatened breach by
the Executive of his covenant, and agrees that the Company shall be entitled
to injunctive relief to bar the Executive from such breach or threatened
breach in addition to any other remedies which may be available to the
Company at law or in equity.
16. Covenant Not to Compete; Corporate Opportunities.
(a) During Employment Period. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, which
consent may be withheld at the sole and reasonable discretion of the Company,
engage in any other business activity for gain, profit, or other pecuniary
advantage (excepting the investment of funds in such form or manner as will not
require any services on the part of the Executive in the operation of the
affairs of the companies in which such investments are made) or engage in or
in any manner be connected or concerned, directly or indirectly, whether as an
officer, director, stockholder, partner, owner, employee, creditor, or
otherwise, with the operation, management, or conduct of any business that
competes with the Business of the Company.
(b) Following Termination of Employment Period. Within the two
(2) year period immediately following the end of the Employment Period,
regardless of the reason therefore, the Executive shall not engage in the
following, but only to the extent that these activities compete in a similar
Business to the Company, without the prior written consent of the Company,
which consent may be withheld at the sole discretion of the Company: (A)
engage in or in any manner be connected or concerned, directly or
indirectly, whether as an officer, director, stockholder, partner, owner,
employee, creditor, or otherwise with the operation, management, or
conduct of any business similar to the Business being conducted at the
time of such termination within a 100-mile radius from Milwaukee,
Wisconsin; (B) directly solicit, contact, interfere with, or divert any
customer served by the Company for the Business, or any prospective customer
identified by or on behalf of the Company, during the Executive's employment
with the Company; or (C) directly solicit any employee then employed by the
Company or previously employed by the Company within the one year period
preceding termination of the Executive's employment with the Company to join
the Executive, whether as a partner, agent, employee or otherwise, in any
enterprise engaged in a business similar to the Business of the Company being
conducted at the time of such termination.
(c) Acknowledgment. The Executive acknowledges that the
restrictions set forth in Section 16 are reasonable in scope and essential to
the preservation of the Business of the Company and proprietary properties and
that the enforcement thereof will not in any manner preclude the Executive, in
the event of the Executive's termination of employment with the Company, from
becoming gainfully employed in such manner and to such extent as to provide a
standard of living for himself, the members of his family, and those dependent
upon him of at least the sort and fashion to which he and they have become
accustomed and may expect.
(d) Severability. The covenants of the Executive contained in
Section 16 of this Agreement shall each be construed as an agreement
independent of any other provision in this Agreement, and the existence of
any claim or cause of action of the Executive against the Company, whether
predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to
the enforcement by the Company of such covenants. Both parties hereby
expressly agree and contract that it is not the intention of either party to
violate any public policy, or statutory or common law, and that if any
sentence, paragraph, clause, or combination of the same of this Agreement is
in violation of the law, such sentence, paragraph, clause or combination of
the same shall be void, and the remainder of such paragraph and this Agreement
shall remain binding on the parties to make the covenants of this Agreement
binding only to the extent that it may be lawfully done. In the event that any
part of any covenant of this Agreement is determined by a court of law to be
overly broad thereby making the covenant unenforceable, the parties hereto
agree, and it is their desire, that such court shall substitute a judicially
enforceable limitation in its place, and that as so modified the covenant
shall be binding upon the parties as if originally set forth herein.
(e) Corporate Opportunities. Executive acknowledges that he has
various fiduciary duties to the Company as an officer, director and founder
of the Company including the duty not to violate the corporate opportunity
doctrine. Such doctrine, in general, prohibits Executive from diverting to
himself opportunities which by right belong to the Company. Executive
acknowledges that he owes a duty to the Company to advance its legitimate
interests when the opportunity to do so arises. Executive acknowledges that
he is prohibited from (a) taking for himself personally opportunities that are
discovered through the use of corporate property, information or position; (b)
using corporate property, information, or position for personal gain; and (c)
competing with the Company, without the express consent of the Company. In
the event Executive seeks a waiver of any opportunity which should first be
offered to the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to Wisconsin law,
he shall first seek the approval of the Executive Committee or such other
committee, or full Board, to which the Executive Committee refers such
decision. Executive agrees to abstain from voting as a director on any
such matter.
17. Arbitration.
(a) Subject to the terms of Section 19(h) below, upon presentation
of a written claim or claims (collectively "Claims") arising out of or relating
to this Agreement, or the breach hereof, by an aggrieved party, the other party
shall have thirty (30) days in which to make such inquiries of the aggrieved
party and conduct such investigations as it believes reasonably necessary to
determine the validity of the Claims. At the end of such period of
investigation, the complained of party shall either pay the amount of the Claims
or the arbitration proceeding described in Section 17(b) shall be invoked,
subject to the terms of Section 17(g) below.
(b) In the event that the Claims are not settled by the procedure
set forth in Section 17(a), the Claims shall be submitted to arbitration
conducted in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules ("Rules") of the
American Arbitration Association ("AAA") except as amplified or otherwise
varied hereby.
(c) The parties shall submit the dispute to the Milwaukee,
Wisconsin regional office of the AAA and the situs of the arbitration shall be
Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(d) The arbitration shall be conducted by a single arbitrator. The
parties shall appoint the single arbitrator to arbitrate the dispute within ten
(10) business days of the submission of the dispute. In the absence of
agreement as to the identity of the single arbitrator to arbitrate the dispute
within such time, the AAA is authorized to appoint an arbitrator in accordance
with the rules, except that the arbitrator shall have as his principal place of
business the Milwaukee, Wisconsin metropolitan area.
(e) The single arbitrator selected by AAA shall be an attorney
licensed to practice by the State of Wisconsin.
(f) Anything in the Rules to the contrary notwithstanding, the
arbitration award shall be made in accordance with the following procedure:
(i) in the event the dispute involves monetary relief, each party shall, at
the commencement of the arbitration hearing, submit an initial statement of
the amount each party proposes be selected by the arbitrator as the arbitration
award ("Settlement Amount"). During the course of the arbitration, each party
may vary its proposed Settlement Amount. At the end of the arbitration hearing,
each party shall submit to the arbitrator its final Settlement Amount ("Final
Settlement Amount"), and the arbitrator shall be required to select either one
or the other Final Settlement Amounts as the arbitration award without
discretion to select any other amount as the award. The arbitration award shall
be paid within thirty (30) business days after the award has been made,
together with interest from the date of award at the rate of nine percent (9%).
Judgment upon the award may be entered in any federal or state court having
jurisdiction over the parties; (ii) in the event the dispute involves the
interpretation of this Agreement, each party shall submit an initial statement
of the interpretation each party proposes be selected by the arbitrator as the
arbitration award ("Proposed Interpretation"). During the course of the
arbitration, each party may vary its Proposed Interpretation. At the end of
the arbitration hearing, each party shall submit to the arbitrator its final
Proposed Interpretation, and the arbitrator shall select either one or the other
final Proposed Interpretations, or a reasonable alternative, as the arbitration
award. Judgment upon the award may be entered in any federal or state court
having jurisdiction over the parties.
(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any
matter which pursuant to the terms of this Agreement is to be resolved by the
Board or the Executive Committee of the Board in its sole discretion shall be
so resolved without arbitration.
18. Excise Tax Equalization Payment
(a) Excise Tax Equalization Payment. Notwithstanding anything
contained in this Agreement or any other agreement between Executive and the
Company to the contrary, in the event that the Executive becomes entitled to
severance benefits or any other payment or benefit under this Agreement, or
under any other agreement with or plan or compensation arrangement with the
Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates (in the aggregate, the "Total
Payments"), if all or any part of the Total Payments will be subject to the
tax (the "Excise Tax") imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (or any similar
tax that may hereafter be imposed), the Company shall pay to the Executive in
cash an additional amount (the "Gross-Up Payment") such that the net amount
retained by the Executive after deduction of any Excise Tax upon the Total
Payments and any federal, state, and local income or employment tax,
penalties, interest, and Excise Tax upon the Gross-Up Payment provided for
by this Section 18 (including FICA and FUTA), shall be equal to the Total
Payments. Such payment shall be made by the Company to the Executive as
soon as practical following the effective date of change in control but in
no event beyond thirty (30) days from such date or the determination that
Excise tax is required to be imposed.
(b) Tax Computation. For purposes of determining whether any of
the Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax and the amounts of such
Excise Tax:
(i) The Change in Control or severance benefits and any
other payments or benefits received or to be received by the Executive
in connection with a Change in Control of the Company or the Executive's
termination of employment (whether pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement or any other plan, arrangement, or agreement with the Company
and subsidiaries or affiliates, or with any Person whose actions result
in a Change in Control of the Company or any Person affiliated with the
Company or such Persons) shall be treated as "parachute payments"
within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, and all "excess
parachute payments" within the meaning of Section 280G(b )(1) shall be
treated as subject to the Excise Tax, unless in the opinion of a
nationally recognized tax counsel selected by the Company's independent
auditors and reasonably acceptable to the Executive: (A) the Severance
Benefits and such other payments or benefits (in whole or in part) do
not constitute parachute payments; (B) such excess parachute payments
(in whole or in part) represent reasonable compensation for services
actually rendered within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(4) of the Code
in excess of the base amount within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(3)
of the Code; or (iii) are otherwise not subject to the Excise Tax;
(ii) The amount of the Total Payments which shall be treated
as subject to the Excise Tax shall be equal to the lesser of: (A) the
total amount of the Total Payments; or (B) the amount of excess
parachute payments within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(1) (after
applying clause (i) above); and
(iii) The value of any noncash benefits or any deferred
payment or benefit shall be determined by the Company's independent
auditors in accordance with the principles of Sections 280G(d)(3) and
(4) of the Code.
For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive
shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest marginal rate of
federal income taxation in the calendar year in which the Gross-Up Payment is
to be made, and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rate of
taxation in the state and locality of the Executive's residence on the Effective
Date of Change in Control or Termination.,
(c) Subsequent Recalculation. In the event the Internal Revenue
Service adjusts the computation of the Company under Section 18 herein so that
the Executive did not receive the greatest net benefit, the Company shall
reimburse the Executive for the full amount necessary to make the Executive
whole, plus a market rate of interest, as determined by the national tax counsel
referred to above.
(d) Costs of Calculations. The Company agrees to bear all costs
associated with this Section.
19. General Provisions.
(a) Goodwill. The Company has invested substantial time and money in
the development of its products, services, territories, advertising and
marketing thereof, soliciting clients and creating goodwill. By accepting
employment with the Company, the Executive acknowledges that the customers are
the customers of the Company, and that any goodwill created by the Executive
belongs to and shall inure to the benefit of the Company.
(b) Notices. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be
made in writing (i) either by actual delivery of the notice into the hands of
the party thereunder entitled, or (ii) by depositing the notice with a
nationally recognized overnight delivery service, all shipping costs prepaid
and addressed to the party to whom the notice is to be given at the party's
respective address set forth below, or such other address as the parties may
from time to time designate by written notice as herein provided.
As addressed to the Company:
Merge Technologies Incorporated
1126 South 70th Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53214-3151
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
With a copy to:
Shefsky & Froelich Ltd.
444 North Michigan Avenue
Suite 2500
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Attention: Mitchell D. Goldsmith, Esquire
As addressed to the Executive:
Mr. William C. Mortimore
To his last address as appears on the
records of the Company
The notice shall be deemed to be received on the date of its actual receipt by
the party entitled thereto.
(c) Amendment and Waiver. No amendment or modification of this
Agreement shall be valid or binding upon the Company unless made in writing and
signed by an officer of the Company duly authorized by the Board or upon the
Executive unless made in writing and signed by him. The waiver by the Company
of the breach of any provision of this Agreement by the Executive shall not
operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by him.
(d) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire
Agreement between the parties with respect to the Executive's duties and
compensation as an executive of the Company, and there are no representations,
warranties, agreements or commitments between the parties hereto with respect
to his employment except as set forth herein. No presumption shall be made in
favor or against either party based upon who has served as draftsman of this
Agreement.
(e) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the internal laws (and not the law of conflicts) of the State
of Wisconsin.
(f) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall, for any
reason, be held unenforceable, such provision shall be severed from this
Agreement unless, as a result of such severance, the Agreement fails to reflect
the basic intent of the parties. If the Agreement continues to reflect the basic
intent of the parties, then the invalidity of such specific provision shall not
affect the enforceability of any other provision herein, and the remaining
provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
(g) Assignment. The Executive may not under any circumstances
delegate any of his rights and obligations hereunder without first obtaining
the prior written consent of the Company. This Agreement and all of the
Company's rights and obligations hereunder may be assigned or transferred by it,
in whole or in part, to be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any
subsidiary or successor of the Company, provided either the successor has a net
worth greater than the Company at the time of assignment or the Company remains
primarily liable with respect to the obligations so assigned.
(h) Costs of Enforcement, Litigation. In the event of any suit or
proceeding seeking to enforce the terms, covenants, or conditions of this
Agreement, the prevailing party shall, in addition to all other remedies and
relief that may be available under this Agreement or applicable law, recover
his or its reasonable attorneys' fees and costs as shall be determined and
awarded by the court. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in
Section 17 above or elsewhere herein any controversy or dispute with respect
to the terms of Section 13, 14, 15 or 16 of this Agreement will survive
termination of this Agreement and shall be litigated in the state of federal
courts of competent jurisdiction situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to which
jurisdiction and venue all parties consent.
(i) Mitigation. The Executive shall not be obligated to seek other
employment in mitigation of the amounts payable under this Agreement, and the
obtaining of any such other employment shall in no event effect any reduction
of the Company's obligations to make payments hereunder. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if Executive receives the payments described in Section 9 by
terminating his employment following a change in control and Executive
subsequently becomes re-employed by the Company or by the party or parties
effecting the change in control, the amounts earned on re-employment (up to a
period of one year's compensation) shall be repaid to the Company.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement is entered into as of the day and
year first above written.
COMPANY:
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
By: /s/ Richard A. Linden
----------------------------
Richard A. Linden
President and Chief Executive Officer
EXECUTIVE:
By: /s/ William C. Mortimore
----------------------------
WILLIAM C. MORTIMORE
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EXHIBIT 10.3
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EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
----------------------
THIS AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made and entered into as of March 1,
2004, by and between SCOTT T. VEECH (the "Executive") and MERGE TECHNOLOGIES
INCORPORATED, a Wisconsin corporation (the "Company"). The terms of this
Agreement shall supercede the terms of the Job Offer Memo between the Executive
and the Company dated July 15, 2002.
R E C I T A L S:
A. The Company is engaged in the provision of medical diagnostic
imaging connectivity hardware, software and consulting solutions for healthcare
facilities. The business in which the Company is engaged in time-to-time
during the term of this Agreement, inclusive of those new lines of business,
if any, in which the Company is working toward entering from time-to-time are
hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Business"; and
B. The Company desires to employ the Executive and the Executive
desires to accept such employment;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises, mutual covenants and
agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the
Executive do hereby agree as follows:
1. Employment and Duties. On the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company agrees to employ the
Executive as the Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and
Secretary of the Company to perform such duties as are consistent with such
position(s) as may be assigned, from time to time, by the Board of Directors
(the "Board") or Chief Executive Officer of the Company and to render such
additional services and discharge such other responsibilities as the Board or
Chief Executive Officer may, from time to time, stipulate consistent with such
senior management position.
2. Performance. The Executive accepts the employment described in
Section 1 of this Agreement and agrees to devote substantially all of his
working time and efforts to the faithful and diligent performance of the
services described herein, including the performance of such other services
and responsibilities as the Board or Chief Executive Officer may, from time to
time, stipulate consistent with such senior management position.
3. Term. The term of Executive's employment with the Company
commenced on July 17, 2002 (the "Commencement Date") as was described in the
initial Job Offer Memo dated July 15, 2002. The term of employment shall
remain in effect until terminated by either Executive or the Company by giving
thirty (30) days written notice of termination. The period of time in which
Executive is employed shall constitute the "Employment Period," and each
calendar year or portion of a calendar year during the Employment Period is
hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "Year." The parties agree that this
Agreement may be terminated subject to the aforesaid notice requirement by
either party without cause or good reason at any time, and if by mutual consent
without the obligation to pay any severance. The Board of Directors or
appropriate committee thereof will review the Employment Agreement at its sole
discretion, but no less frequently than every three (3) years subsequent to the
date of this Agreement.
4. Salary. For all the services to be rendered by the Executive
hereunder, commencing March 1, 2004, the Company agrees to pay a salary at a
rate of no less than Fourteen Thousand One Hundred Seventy Dollars ($14,167.00)
per month, payable in the manner and frequency in which the Company's payroll
is customarily handled, and subject to increase at the time annual reviews of
the salaries of other senior executive officers are to be conducted ("Salary").
5. Bonus. The Executive shall be eligible for an annual
performance bonus of up to twenty-five percent (25%) of Salary, dependent on
achievement of defined Company and individual performance targets. As an
Executive Officer of the Company, adjustments to compensation package, including
base pay, annual bonus and annual stock option awards, will be recommended by
the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and subject to approval of the Board
of Directors of the Company or appropriate committee thereof. For each Year the
annual performance bonus is to be paid, it shall be paid within thirty (30) days
of the completion of the year-end financial statements for that Year, but in no
event later than May 31 of the following year. The Chief Executive Officer,
subject to approval of the Board of Directors or appropriate committee thereof,
may change the bonus target annually and any dispute as to whether Executive
met the performance targets for a Year shall be determined conclusively by the
Chief Executive Officer and Compensation Committee of the Board.
6. Paid Time Off. The Executive shall be entitled to paid time off
for vacation, illness, holiday and personal reasons in accordance with the
Company's paid time off policy at the rate offered to the most senior employees
of the Company with the longest tenure.
7. Disability Benefit. If at any time during the Employment Period
the Executive is unable to perform fully the material and substantial duties
hereunder by reason of illness, accident, or other disability (as confirmed by
competent medical evidence by a physician selected by the Executive Committee),
the Executive shall be entitled to receive periodic payments of Salary to which
he would otherwise be entitled pursuant to Section 4 of this Agreement by reason
of his employment for a period of ninety (90) days. Notwithstanding the
foregoing provision (i) the amounts payable to the Executive pursuant to this
Section 7 shall be reduced by any amounts received by the Executive with respect
to any such incapacity pursuant to any insurance policy, plan, or other employee
benefit provided to the Executive by the Company; and (ii) in no event will the
terms of this Agreement supersede any health or disability benefit to which
Executive is entitled under applicable state or federal law.
8. Stock Options. Executive was awarded stock options for 25,000
shares of the Company's stock on March 2, 2004 at a price equal to the closing
price of the Company's stock on such date. These stock options have a four year
vesting schedule with 25% to be vested on each of the first, second, third and
fourth anniversary dates of the date of grant. Executive was also granted stock
options at various prior dates subject to the vesting schedules associated with
such grants. Additional stock options may be awarded in the future on an annual
or other basis pending recommendation and approval by the Chief Executive
Officer and Board.
9. Change in Control. In the event of a "change in control" of the
Company ("change in control" of the Company shall mean a change in the ownership
of fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding stock of the Company in a
single transaction or series of transactions effected by a third party or third
parties acting in concert or a change of fifty percent (50%) or more of the
members of the Board in a single transaction or series of transactions effected
by any third party or third parties acting in concert, other than pursuant to
nomination of a new slate of directors where there has been no material change
in beneficial ownership of the Company within 365 days preceding such
nomination), all of the options will immediately vest and become exercisable.
In the event of a change in control as (described above) and if the Executive
is: (i) involuntarily terminated within 365 days following the change in
control; or (ii) voluntarily terminates his employment with the Company within
365 days, following either: (a) any reduction in Executive's responsibilities
or authority with respect to the Business; (b) a reduction in Executive's
compensation package, including then current salary, in effect immediately
prior to the change in control; or (c) the Company's principal place of
business is relocated more than 30 miles further from the Company's current
headquarters location as of the date of this Agreement; then the Executive
will be entitled to (A) twelve months then current Salary as a change in
control allowance, to be paid in a single payment within thirty (30) days of
such termination of Executive's employment, plus (B) an amount equal to the
maximum amount of the Executive's bonus set forth in Section 5 for the plan
year in which the Executive's effective date of termination occurs without
regard to the achievement of performance targets , to be paid in a single
payment within thirty (30) days of the termination of Executive's employment,
and (C) a continuation of the welfare benefits of health care, life and
accidental death and dismemberment, and disability insurance coverage
(collectively, "Supplemental Benefits") for twelve (12) months after the
effective date of termination. These benefits shall be provided at the same
cost to the Executive (if any), and at the same coverage level, as in effect
as of the Executive's effective date of termination. However, in the event
the premium cost and/or level of coverage shall change for all management
employees with respect to Supplemental Benefits, the cost and/or coverage
level, likewise, shall change for the Executive in a corresponding manner.
The continuation of Supplemental Benefits shall be discontinued in the event
Executive has available substantially similar welfare benefits at a comparable
cost from a subsequent employer.
In addition, upon a "change of control" as defined above, the Company will
deposit One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) into an interest-bearing escrow
account (the "Escrow") to be held by a third party mutually acceptable to the
Executive and the Company. The cost of such escrow shall be paid by the
Company. The purpose of the escrow shall be to provide Executive a "stay
bonus" to help assure a smooth transition if the acquiror in a change of
control transaction requests that Executive continue his employment with the
Company in an executive or managerial capacity suitable for Executive's
background, although not necessarily the same position previously occupied by
Executive. The compensation, bonus and benefits to be paid to Executive
during such period following the change in control must be at least the same
as paid or provided prior to closing except for minor changes in Supplemental
Benefits. Executive's services pursuant to this paragraph shall be performed
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin except for travel consistent with Executive's position
prior to the change in control. The total amount in such Escrow, including
interest thereon, will be paid to the Executive twelve months following the
change in control if Executive has substantially performed the services
requested to be performed by the acquiror following such change of control
transaction. If the acquiror does not request Executive's service after the
change in control, no amount shall be paid to Executive from the Escrow. If
the acquiror requests less than a full year of service, a pro rata amount of
the Escrow shall be paid to Executive based upon the number of months or
partial months worked divided by twelve. At the end of the stay bonus
performance period Executive shall have a period of thirty days following
the termination of such services or 365 days following the change of control,
whichever is later, to terminate his services with the Company and be
entitled to receive the change of control payments in addition to the stay
bonus described in this paragraph.
10. Other Benefits. Except as otherwise specifically provided
herein, during the Employment Period, the Executive shall be eligible for all
non-wage benefits the Company provides generally for its other salaried
employees.
11. Business Expenses.
(a) Reimbursement. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for
the reasonable, ordinary, and necessary business expenses incurred by him in
connection with the performance of his duties hereunder, including, but not
limited to, ordinary and necessary travel expenses and entertainment expenses
and mobile phone expenses.
(b) Accounting. The Executive shall provide the Company with an
accounting of his expenses, which accounting shall clearly reflect which
expenses are reimbursable by the Company. The Executive shall provide the
Company with such other supporting documentation and other substantiation of
reimbursable expenses as will conform to Internal Revenue Service or other
requirements. All such reimbursements shall be payable by the Company to the
Executive promptly after receipt by the Company of appropriate documentation
therefor.
12. Severance. In the event that the Executive is terminated for
any reason other than gross negligence, commission of a felony or material
violation of any established Company policies, the Company shall pay the
Executive, as a severance allowance, (A) an amount equal to twelve (12) months
of his then current Salary plus (B) an amount equal to the maximum amount of
the Executive's bonus set forth in Section 5 for the plan year in which the
Executive's effective date of termination occurs without regard to the
achievement of performance targets, and (C) a continuation of the welfare
benefits of health care, life and accidental death and dismemberment, and
disability insurance coverage (collectively, "Supplemental Benefits") for
twelve (12) months after the effective date of termination. These benefits
shall be provided at the same cost to the Executive (if any), and at the same
coverage level, as in effect as of the Executive's Effective Date of
Termination. However, in the event the premium cost and/or level of coverage
shall change for all management employees with respect to Supplemental
Benefits, the cost and/or coverage level, likewise, shall change for the
Executive in a corresponding manner. The amount of the severance allowance
provided for in subsections (A) and (B) of this Section 12 shall be paid in a
single lump sum within thirty (30) days of the termination of the Executive's
employment. From time to time, the Executive's severance allowance shall be
subject to review and upward adjustment at the time reviews and adjustments
of the severance allowance for other senior executives of Company are to be
conducted. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the
event the Executive elects to receive (pursuant to the operation of Section
9) twelve (12) months' then current salary following a change in control
event and Executive's voluntary or involuntary termination, then Executive
shall not be entitled to any payment of severance pursuant to this Section
12. In the event a change in control occurs and the Executive is not
entitled to twelve (12) months' then current salary pursuant to Section 9,
then the Executive shall continue to be entitled to receive severance payments
per this Section 12.
13. Surrender of Properties. Upon termination of the Executive's
employment with the Company, regardless of the cause therefor, the Executive
shall promptly surrender to the Company all property provided him by the
Company for use in relation to his employment, and, in addition, the Executive
shall surrender to the Company any and all confidential sales materials, lists
of customers and prospective customers, price lists, files, patent
applications, records, models, or other materials and information of or
pertaining to the Company or its customers or prospective customers or the
products, Business, and operations of the Company in his possession.
14. Inventions and Secrecy. Except as otherwise provided in this
Section 14, the Executive:
(a) shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the
Company all secret or confidential information, knowledge, or data of the
Company or its Business or production operations obtained by the Executive
during his employment by the Company, which shall not be generally known to
the public or recognized as standard practice (whether or not developed by
the Executive) and shall not, during his employment by the Company and after
the termination of such employment for any reason, communicate or divulge any
such information, knowledge or data to any person, firm or corporation other
than the Company or persons, firms or corporations designated by the Company;
(b) shall promptly disclose to the Company all inventions, ideas,
devices, and processes made or conceived by him alone or jointly with others,
from the time of entering the Company's employ until such employment is
terminated, relevant or pertinent in any way, whether directly or indirectly,
to the Company's Business or production operations or resulting from or
suggested by any work which he may have done for the Company or at its request;
(c) shall, at all times during his employment with the Company,
assist the Company (entirely at the Company's expense) to obtain and develop
for the Company's benefit patents on such inventions, ideas, devices and
processes, whether or not patented; and
(d) shall do all such acts and execute, acknowledge and deliver
all such instruments as may be necessary or desirable in the opinion of the
Company to vest in the Company the entire interest in such inventions, ideas,
devices, and processes referred to above.
The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, the Executive shall
not be required to assign or offer to assign to the Company any of the
Executive's rights in any invention for which no equipment, supplies,
facility, or trade secret information of the Company was used and which was
developed entirely on the Executive's own time, unless: (A) the invention
related to (i) the Business of the Company; or (ii) the Company's actual or
demonstrably anticipated (with the realistic prospect of occurring) research
or development; or (B) the invention results from any work performed by the
Executive for the Company. The Executive acknowledges his prior receipt of
written notification of the limitation set forth in the preceding sentence
on the Executive's obligation to assign or offer to assign to the Company
the Executive's rights in inventions.
15. Confidentiality of Information: Duty of Non-Disclosure.
(a) The Executive acknowledges and agrees that his employment by
the Company under this Agreement necessarily involves his understanding of and
access to certain trade secrets and confidential information pertaining to the
Business of the Company. Accordingly, the Executive agrees that after the date
of this Agreement at all times he will not, directly or indirectly, without the
express consent of the Company, disclose to or use for the benefit of any
person, corporation or other entity, or for himself any and all files, trade
secrets or other confidential information concerning the internal affairs of
the Company, including, but not limited to, information pertaining to its
customers, prospective customers, services, products, earnings, finances,
operations, methods or other activities, provided, however, that the foregoing
shall not apply to information which is of public record or is generally known,
disclosed or available to the general public or the industry generally, or known
by Executive prior to his employment with the Company. Further, the Executive
agrees that he shall not, directly or indirectly, remove or retain, without
the express prior written consent of the Company, and upon termination of this
Agreement for any reason shall return to the Company, any confidential figures,
calculations, letters, papers, records, computer disks, computer print-outs,
lists, documents, instruments, drawings, designs, programs, brochures, sales
literature, or any copies thereof, or any information or instruments derived
therefrom, or any other similar information of any type or description, however
such information might be obtained or recorded, arising out of or in any way
relating to the Business of the Company or obtained as a result of his
employment by the Company. The Executive acknowledges that all of the
foregoing are proprietary information, and are the exclusive property of the
Company. The covenants contained in this Section 15 shall survive the
termination of this Agreement.
(b) The Executive agrees and acknowledges that the Company does not
have any adequate remedy at law for the breach or threatened breach by the
Executive of his covenant, and agrees that the Company shall be entitled to
injunctive relief to bar the Executive from such breach or threatened breach
in addition to any other remedies which may be available to the Company at law
or in equity.
16. Covenant Not to Compete.
(a) During Employment Period. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, which
consent may be withheld at the sole and reasonable discretion of the Company,
engage in any other business activity for gain, profit, or other pecuniary
advantage (excepting the investment of funds in such form or manner as will not
require any services on the part of the Executive in the operation of the
affairs of the companies in which such investments are made) or engage in or
in any manner be connected or concerned, directly or indirectly, whether as an
officer, director, stockholder, partner, owner, employee, creditor, or
otherwise, with the operation, management, or conduct of any business that
competes with the Business of the Company.
(b) Following Termination of Employment Period. Within the one
(1) year period immediately following the end of the Employment Period,
regardless of the reason therefore, the Executive shall not engage in the
following, but only to the extent that these activities compete in a similar
Business to the Company, without the prior written consent of the Company,
which consent may be withheld at the sole discretion of the Company: (A) engage
in or in any manner be connected or concerned, directly or indirectly, whether
as an officer, director, stockholder, partner, owner, employee, creditor, or
otherwise with the operation, management, or conduct of any business similar
to the Business being conducted at the time of such termination within a
100-mile radius from Milwaukee, Wisconsin; (B) directly solicit, contact,
interfere with, or divert any customer served by the Company for the Business,
or any prospective customer identified by or on behalf of the Company, during
the Executive's employment with the Company; or (C) directly solicit any
employee then employed by the Company or previously employed by the Company
within the one year period preceding termination of the Executive's employment
with the Company to join the Executive, whether as a partner, agent, employee
or otherwise, in any enterprise engaged in a business similar to the Business
of the Company being conducted at the time of such termination.
(c) Acknowledgment. The Executive acknowledges that the
restrictions set forth in Section 16 are reasonable in scope and essential to
the preservation of the Business of the Company and proprietary properties and
that the enforcement thereof will not in any manner preclude the Executive, in
the event of the Executive's termination of employment with the Company, from
becoming gainfully employed in such manner and to such extent as to provide a
standard of living for himself, the members of his family, and those dependent
upon him of at least the sort and fashion to which he and they have become
accustomed and may expect.
(d) Severability. The covenants of the Executive contained in
Section 16 of this Agreement shall each be construed as an agreement independent
of any other provision in this Agreement, and the existence of any claim or
cause of action of the Executive against the Company, whether predicated on this
Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the
Company of such covenants. Both parties hereby expressly agree and contract
that it is not the intention of either party to violate any public policy, or
tatutory or common law, and that if any sentence, paragraph, clause, or
combination of the same of this Agreement is in violation of the law, such
sentence, paragraph, clause or combination of the same shall be void, and the
remainder of such paragraph and this Agreement shall remain binding on the
parties to make the covenants of this Agreement binding only to the extent that
it may be lawfully done. In the event that any part of any covenant of this
Agreement is determined by a court of law to be overly broad thereby making the
covenant unenforceable, the parties hereto agree, and it is their desire, that
such court shall substitute a judicially enforceable limitation in its place,
and that as so modified the covenant shall be binding upon the parties as if
originally set forth herein.
17. Arbitration.
(a) Subject to the terms of Section 19(h) below, upon presentation
of a written claim or claims (collectively "Claims") arising out of or relating
to this Agreement, or the breach hereof, by an aggrieved party, the other party
shall have thirty (30) days in which to make such inquiries of the aggrieved
party and conduct such investigations as it believes reasonably necessary to
determine the validity of the Claims. At the end of such period of
investigation, the complained of party shall either pay the amount of the
Claims or the arbitration proceeding described in Section 17(b) shall be
invoked, subject to the terms of Section 17(g) below.
(b) In the event that the Claims are not settled by the procedure
set forth in Section 17(a), the Claims shall be submitted to arbitration
conducted in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules ("Rules") of the
American Arbitration Association ("AAA") except as amplified or otherwise
varied hereby.
(c) The parties shall submit the dispute to the Milwaukee,
Wisconsin regional office of the AAA and the situs of the arbitration shall
be Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(d) The arbitration shall be conducted by a single arbitrator. The
parties shall appoint the single arbitrator to arbitrate the dispute within ten
(10) business days of the submission of the dispute. In the absence of
agreement as to the identity of the single arbitrator to arbitrate the dispute
within such time, the AAA is authorized to appoint an arbitrator in accordance
with the rules, except that the arbitrator shall have as his principal place of
business the Milwaukee, Wisconsin metropolitan area.
(e) The single arbitrator selected by AAA shall be an attorney
licensed to practice by the State of Wisconsin.
(f) Anything in the Rules to the contrary notwithstanding, the
arbitration award shall be made in accordance with the following procedure:
(i) in the event the dispute involves monetary relief, each party shall, at
the commencement of the arbitration hearing, submit an initial statement of
the amount each party proposes be selected by the arbitrator as the arbitration
award ("Settlement Amount"). During the course of the arbitration, each party
may vary its proposed Settlement Amount. At the end of the arbitration hearing,
each party shall submit to the arbitrator its final Settlement Amount ("Final
Settlement Amount"), and the arbitrator shall be required to select either one
or the other Final Settlement Amounts as the arbitration award without
discretion to select any other amount as the award. The arbitration award shall
be paid within thirty (30) business days after the award has been made,
together with interest from the date of award at the rate of nine percent (9%).
Judgment upon the award may be entered in any federal or state court having
jurisdiction over the parties; (ii) in the event the dispute involves the
interpretation of this Agreement, each party shall submit an initial statement
of the interpretation each party proposes be selected by the arbitrator as the
arbitration award ("Proposed Interpretation"). During the course of the
arbitration, each party may vary its Proposed Interpretation. At the end of
the arbitration hearing, each party shall submit to the arbitrator its final
Proposed Interpretation, and the arbitrator shall select either one or the
other final Proposed Interpretations, or a reasonable alternative, as the
arbitration award. Judgment upon the award may be entered in any federal or
state court having jurisdiction over the parties.
(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any
matter which pursuant to the terms of this Agreement is to be resolved by the
Board or the Executive Committee of the Board in its sole discretion shall be
so resolved without arbitration.
18. Excise Tax Equalization Payment
(a) Excise Tax Equalization Payment. Notwithstanding anything
contained in this Agreement or any other agreement between Executive and the
Company to the contrary, in the event that the Executive becomes entitled to
severance benefits or any other payment or benefit under this Agreement, or
under any other agreement with or plan or compensation arrangement with the
Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates (in the aggregate, the "Total
Payments"), if all or any part of the Total Payments will be subject to the
tax (the "Excise Tax") imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (or any similar tax
that may hereafter be imposed), the Company shall pay to the Executive in cash
an additional amount (the "Gross-Up Payment") such that the net amount
retained by the Executive after deduction of any Excise Tax upon the Total
Payments and any federal, state, and local income or employment tax, penalties,
interest, and Excise Tax upon the Gross-Up Payment provided for by this Section
18 (including FICA and FUTA), shall be equal to the Total Payments. Such
payment shall be made by the Company to the Executive as soon as practical
following the effective date of change in control but in no event beyond
thirty (30) days from such date or the determination that Excise tax is
required to be imposed.
(b) Tax Computation. For purposes of determining whether any of
the Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax and the amounts of such
Excise Tax:
(i) The Change in Control or severance benefits and any
other payments or benefits received or to be received by the Executive
in connection with a Change in Control of the Company or the Executive's
termination of employment (whether pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement or any other plan, arrangement, or agreement with the Company
and subsidiaries or affiliates, or with any Person whose actions result
in a Change in Control of the Company or any Person affiliated with the
Company or such Persons) shall be treated as "parachute payments"
within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, and all "excess
parachute payments" within the meaning of Section 280G(b )(1) shall be
treated as subject to the Excise Tax, unless in the opinion of a
nationally recognized tax counsel selected by the Company's
independent auditors and reasonably acceptable to the Executive: (A)
the Severance Benefits and such other payments or benefits (in whole
or in part) do not constitute parachute payments; (B) such excess
parachute payments (in whole or in part) represent reasonable
compensation for services actually rendered within the meaning of
Section 280G(b)(4) of the Code in excess of the base amount within
the meaning of Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code; or (iii) are otherwise
not subject to the Excise Tax;
(ii) The amount of the Total Payments which shall be
treated as subject to the Excise Tax shall be equal to the lesser of:
(A) the total amount of the Total Payments; or (B) the amount of excess
parachute payments within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(1) (after
applying clause (i) above); and
(iii) The value of any noncash benefits or any deferred
payment or benefit shall be determined by the Company's independent
auditors in accordance with the principles of Sections 280G(d)(3) and
(4) of the Code.
For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive
shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest marginal rate of
federal income taxation in the calendar year in which the Gross-Up Payment is
to be made, and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rate of
taxation in the state and locality of the Executive's residence on the
Effective Date of Change in Control or Termination.
(c) Subsequent Recalculation. In the event the Internal Revenue
Service adjusts the computation of the Company under Section 18 herein so that
the Executive did not receive the greatest net benefit, the Company shall
reimburse the Executive for the full amount necessary to make the Executive
whole, plus a market rate of interest, as determined by the national tax
counsel referred to above.
(d) Costs of Calculations. The Company agrees to bear all costs
associated with this Section.
19. General Provisions.
(a) Goodwill. The Company has invested substantial time and money
in the development of its products, services, territories, advertising and
marketing thereof, soliciting clients and creating goodwill. By accepting
employment with the Company, the Executive acknowledges that the customers
are the customers of the Company, and that any goodwill created by the
Executive belongs to and shall inure to the benefit of the Company.
(b) Notices. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall
be made in writing (i) either by actual delivery of the notice into the hands
of the party thereunder entitled, or (ii) by depositing the notice with a
nationally recognized overnight delivery service, all shipping costs
prepaid and addressed to the party to whom the notice is to be given at the
party's respective address set forth below, or such other address as the
parties may from time to time designate by written notice as herein
provided.
As addressed to the Company:
Merge Technologies Incorporated
1126 South 70th Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53214-3151
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
With a copy to:
Shefsky & Froelich Ltd.
444 North Michigan Avenue
Suite 2500
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Attention: Mitchell D. Goldsmith, Esquire
As addressed to the Executive:
Mr. Scott T. Veech
To his last address as appears on the
records of the Company
The notice shall be deemed to be received on the date of its actual receipt by
the party entitled thereto.
(c) Amendment and Waiver. No amendment or modification of this
Agreement shall be valid or binding upon the Company unless made in writing and
signed by an officer of the Company duly authorized by the Board or upon the
Executive unless made in writing and signed by him. The waiver by the Company
of the breach of any provision of this Agreement by the Executive shall not
operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by him.
(d) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire
Agreement between the parties with respect to the Executive's duties and
compensation as an executive of the Company, and there are no representations,
warranties, agreements or commitments between the parties hereto with respect
to his employment except as set forth herein. No presumption shall be made in
favor or against either party based upon who has served as draftsman of this
Agreement.
(e) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the internal laws (and not the law of conflicts)
of the State of Wisconsin.
(f) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall, for
any reason, be held unenforceable, such provision shall be severed from this
Agreement unless, as a result of such severance, the Agreement fails to
reflect the basic intent of the parties. If the Agreement continues to reflect
the basic intent of the parties, then the invalidity of such specific
provision shall not affect the enforceability of any other provision herein,
and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
(g) Assignment. The Executive may not under any circumstances
delegate any of his rights and obligations hereunder without first obtaining
the prior written consent of the Company. This Agreement and all of the
Company's rights and obligations hereunder may be assigned or transferred by
it, in whole or in part, to be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any
subsidiary or successor of the Company, provided either the successor has a
net worth greater than the Company at the time of assignment or the Company
remains primarily liable with respect to the obligations so assigned.
(h) Costs of Enforcement, Litigation. In the event of any suit or
proceeding seeking to enforce the terms, covenants, or conditions of this
Agreement, the prevailing party shall, in addition to all other remedies and
relief that may be available under this Agreement or applicable law, recover
his or its reasonable attorneys' fees and costs as shall be determined and
awarded by the court. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in
Section 17 above or elsewhere herein any controversy or dispute with respect
to the terms of Section 13, 14, 15 or 16 of this Agreement will survive
termination of this Agreement and shall be litigated in the state of federal
courts of competent jurisdiction situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to which
jurisdiction and venue all parties consent.
(i) Mitigation. The Executive shall not be obligated to seek
other employment in mitigation of the amounts payable under this Agreement,
and the obtaining of any such other employment shall in no event effect any
reduction of the Company's obligations to make payments hereunder.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Executive receives the payments described in
Section 9 by terminating his employment following a change in control and
Executive subsequently becomes re-employed by the Company or by the party or
parties effecting the change in control, the amounts earned on re-employment
(up to a period of one year's compensation) shall be repaid to the Company.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement is entered into as of the day and
year first above written.
COMPANY:
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
By: /s/ Richard A. Linden
----------------------------
Richard A. Linden
President and Chief Executive Officer
EXECUTIVE:
By: /s/ Scott T. Veech
----------------------------
SCOTT T. VEECH
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EXHIBIT 10.4
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EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
----------------------
THIS AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made and entered into as of March 1,
2004, by and between DAVID M. NOSHAY (the "Executive") and MERGE TECHNOLOGIES
INCORPORATED, a Wisconsin corporation (the "Company").
R E C I T A L S:
A. The Company is engaged in the provision of medical diagnostic
imaging connectivity hardware, software and consulting solutions for healthcare
facilities. The business in which the Company is engaged in time-to-time
during the term of this Agreement, inclusive of those new lines of business, if
any, in which the Company is working toward entering from time-to-time are
hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Business"; and
B. The Company desires to employ the Executive and the Executive
desires to accept such employment;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises, mutual covenants and
agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the
Executive do hereby agree as follows:
1. Employment and Duties. On the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company agrees to employ the
Executive as the Senior Vice President of the Company to perform such duties as
are consistent with such position(s) as may be assigned, from time to time, by
the Board of Directors (the "Board") or Chief Executive Officer of the Company
and to render such additional services and discharge such other responsibilities
as the Board or Chief Executive Officer may, from time to time, stipulate
consistent with such senior management position.
2. Performance. The Executive accepts the employment described in
Section 1 of this Agreement and agrees to devote substantially all of his
working time and efforts to the faithful and diligent performance of the
services described herein, including the performance of such other services and
responsibilities as the Board or Chief Executive Officer may, from time to time,
stipulate consistent with such senior management position.
3. Term. The term of Executive's employment with the Company under
this Agreement commenced as of the date hereof (the "Commencement Date"). The
term of employment shall remain in effect until terminated by either Executive
or the Company by giving thirty (30) days written notice of termination. The
period of time in which Executive is employed shall constitute the "Employment
Period," and each calendar year or portion of a calendar year during the
Employment Period is hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "Year." The parties
agree that this Agreement may be terminated subject to the aforesaid notice
requirement by either party without cause or good reason at any time, and if by
mutual consent without the obligation to pay any severance. The Board of
Directors or appropriate committee thereof will review the Employment Agreement
at its sole discretion, but no less frequently than every three (3) years
subsequent to the date of this Agreement.
4. Salary. For all the services to be rendered by the Executive
hereunder, commencing January 1, 2004, the Company agrees to pay a salary at a
rate of no less than Eleven Thousand Six Hundred Sixty Seven Dollars
($11,667.00) per month, payable in the manner and frequency in which the
Company's payroll is customarily handled, and subject to increase at the time
annual reviews of the salaries of other senior executive officers are to be
conducted ("Salary").
5. Bonus. The Executive shall be eligible for an annual performance
bonus of up to twenty-five percent (25%) of Salary, dependent on achievement of
defined Company and individual performance targets. As an Executive Officer of
the Company, adjustments to compensation package, including base pay, annual
bonus and annual stock option awards, will be recommended by the Chief Executive
Officer of the Company and subject to approval of the Board of Directors of the
Company or appropriate committee thereof. For each Year the annual performance
bonus is to be paid, it shall be paid within thirty (30) days of the completion
of the year-end financial statements for that Year, but in no event later than
May 31 of the following year. The Chief Executive Officer, subject to approval
of the Board of Directors or appropriate committee thereof, may change the bonus
target annually and any dispute as to whether Executive met the performance
targets for a Year shall be determined conclusively by the Chief Executive
Officer and Compensation Committee of the Board.
6. Paid Time Off. The Executive shall be entitled to paid time off
for vacation, illness, holiday and personal reasons in accordance with the
Company's paid time off policy at the rate offered to the most senior employees
of the Company with the longest tenure.
7. Disability Benefit. If at any time during the Employment Period
the Executive is unable to perform fully the material and substantial duties
hereunder by reason of illness, accident, or other disability (as confirmed by
competent medical evidence by a physician selected by the Executive Committee),
the Executive shall be entitled to receive periodic payments of Salary to which
he would otherwise be entitled pursuant to Section 4 of this Agreement by
reason of his employment for a period of ninety (90) days. Notwithstanding the
foregoing provision (i) the amounts payable to the Executive pursuant to this
Section 7 shall be reduced by any amounts received by the Executive with respect
to any such incapacity pursuant to any insurance policy, plan, or other employee
benefit provided to the Executive by the Company; and (ii) in no event will the
terms of this Agreement supersede any health or disability benefit to which
Executive is entitled under applicable state or federal law.
8. Stock Options. Executive was awarded stock options for 25,000
shares of the Company's stock on November 14, 2003 at a price equal to the
closing price of the Company's stock on such date. These stock options have a
four year vesting schedule with 25% vested immediately and 25% to be vested on
each of the first, second, and third anniversary dates of the date of grant.
Executive was also granted stock options at various prior dates subject to the
vesting schedules associated with such grants. Additional stock options may be
awarded in the future on an annual or other basis pending recommendation and
approval by the Chief Executive Officer and Board.
9. Change in Control. In the event of a "change in control"
of the Company ("change in control" of the Company shall mean a change in the
ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding stock of the
Company in a single transaction or series of transactions effected by a third
party or third parties acting in concert or a change of fifty percent (50%) or
more of the members of the Board in a single transaction or series of
transactions effected by any third party or third parties acting in concert,
other than pursuant to nomination of a new slate of directors where there has
been no material change in beneficial ownership of the Company within 365 days
preceding such nomination), all of the options will immediately vest and become
exercisable. In the event of a change in control as (described above) and if the
Executive is: (i) involuntarily terminated within 365 days following the change
in control; or (ii) voluntarily terminates his employment with the Company
within 365 days, following either: (a) any reduction in Executive's
responsibilities or authority with respect to the Business; (b) a reduction in
Executive's compensation package, including then current salary, in effect
immediately prior to the change in control; or (c) the Company's principal
place of business is relocated more than 30 miles further from the Company's
current headquarters location as of the date of this Agreement; then the
Executive will be entitled to (A) twelve months then current Salary as a
change in control allowance, to be paid in a single payment within thirty (30)
days of such termination of Executive's employment, plus (B) an amount equal
to the maximum amount of the Executive's bonus set forth in Section 5 for the
plan year in which the Executive's effective date of termination occurs without
regard to the achievement of performance targets , to be paid in a single
payment within thirty (30) days of the termination of Executive's employment,
and (C) a continuation of the welfare benefits of health care, life and
accidental death and dismemberment, and disability insurance coverage
(collectively, "Supplemental Benefits") for twelve (12) months after the
effective date of termination. These benefits shall be provided at the same
cost to the Executive (if any), and at the same coverage level, as in effect
as of the Executive's effective date of termination. However, in the event
the premium cost and/or level of coverage shall change for all management
employees with respect to Supplemental Benefits, the cost and/or coverage
level, likewise, shall change for the Executive in a corresponding manner.
The continuation of Supplemental Benefits shall be discontinued in the event
Executive has available substantially similar welfare benefits at a comparable
cost from a subsequent employer.
In addition, upon a "change of control" as defined above, the Company
will deposit One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) into an interest-bearing
escrow account (the "Escrow") to be held by a third party mutually acceptable
to the Executive and the Company. The cost of such escrow shall be paid by the
Company. The purpose of the escrow shall be to provide Executive a "stay bonus"
to help assure a smooth transition if the acquiror in a change of control
transaction requests that Executive continue his employment with the Company
in an executive or managerial capacity suitable for Executive's background,
although not necessarily the same position previously occupied by Executive.
The compensation, bonus and benefits to be paid to Executive during such period
following the change in control must be at least the same as paid or provided
prior to closing except for minor changes in Supplemental Benefits.
Executive's services pursuant to this paragraph shall be performed in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin except for travel consistent with Executive's position
prior to the change in control. The total amount in such Escrow, including
interest thereon, will be paid to the Executive twelve months following the
change in control if Executive has substantially performed the services
requested to be performed by the acquiror following such change of control
transaction. If the acquiror does not request Executive's service after the
change in control, no amount shall be paid to Executive from the Escrow. If
the acquiror requests less than a full year of service, a pro rata amount of
the Escrow shall be paid to Executive based upon the number of months or
partial months worked divided by twelve. At the end of the stay bonus
performance period Executive shall have a period of thirty days following
the termination of such services or 365 days following the change of control,
whichever is later, to terminate his services with the Company and be
entitled to receive the change of control payments in addition to the stay
bonus described in this paragraph.
10. Other Benefits. Except as otherwise specifically provided
herein, during the Employment Period, the Executive shall be eligible for all
non-wage benefits the Company provides generally for its other salaried
employees.
11. Business Expenses.
(a) Reimbursement. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for
the reasonable, ordinary, and necessary business expenses incurred by him in
connection with the performance of his duties hereunder, including, but not
limited to, ordinary and necessary travel expenses and entertainment expenses
and mobile phone expenses.
(b) Accounting. The Executive shall provide the Company with an
accounting of his expenses, which accounting shall clearly reflect which
expenses are reimbursable by the Company. The Executive shall provide the
Company with such other supporting documentation and other substantiation of
reimbursable expenses as will conform to Internal Revenue Service or other
requirements. All such reimbursements shall be payable by the Company to the
Executive promptly after receipt by the Company of appropriate documentation
therefor.
12. Severance. In the event that the Executive is terminated for
any reason other than gross negligence, commission of a felony or material
violation of any established Company policies, the Company shall pay the
Executive, as a severance allowance, (A) an amount equal to six (6) months
of his then current Salary plus (B) an amount equal to the maximum amount
of the Executive's bonus set forth in Section 5 for the plan year in which
the Executive's effective date of termination occurs without regard to the
achievement of performance targets, and (C) a continuation of the welfare
benefits of health care, life and accidental death and dismemberment, and
disability insurance coverage (collectively, "Supplemental Benefits") for
twelve (12) months after the effective date of termination. These benefits
shall be provided at the same cost to the Executive (if any), and at the
same coverage level, as in effect as of the Executive's Effective Date of
Termination. However, in the event the premium cost and/or level of coverage
shall change for all management employees with respect to Supplemental
Benefits, the cost and/or coverage level, likewise, shall change for the
Executive in a corresponding manner. The amount of the severance allowance
provided for in subsections (A) and (B) of this Section 12 shall be paid in a
single lump sum within thirty (30) days of the termination of the Executive's
employment. From time to time, the Executive's severance allowance shall be
subject to review and upward adjustment at the time reviews and adjustments
of the severance allowance for other senior executives of Company are to be
conducted. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the
event the Executive elects to receive (pursuant to the operation of Section
9) twelve (12) months' then current salary following a change in control
event and Executive's voluntary or involuntary termination, then Executive
shall not be entitled to any payment of severance pursuant to this Section
12. In the event a change in control occurs and the Executive is not
entitled to twelve (12) months' then current salary pursuant to Section 9,
then the Executive shall continue to be entitled to receive severance
payments per this Section 12.
13. Surrender of Properties. Upon termination of the Executive's
employment with the Company, regardless of the cause therefor, the Executive
shall promptly surrender to the Company all property provided him by the
Company for use in relation to his employment, and, in addition, the Executive
shall surrender to the Company any and all confidential sales materials, lists
of customers and prospective customers, price lists, files, patent applications,
records, models, or other materials and information of or pertaining to the
Company or its customers or prospective customers or the products, Business,
and operations of the Company in his possession.
14. Inventions and Secrecy. Except as otherwise provided in this
Section 14, the Executive:
(a) shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the
Company all secret or confidential information, knowledge, or data of the
Company or its Business or production operations obtained by the Executive
during his employment by the Company, which shall not be generally known to the
public or recognized as standard practice (whether or not developed by the
Executive) and shall not, during his employment by the Company and after the
termination of such employment for any reason, communicate or divulge any such
information, knowledge or data to any person, firm or corporation other than
the Company or persons, firms or corporations designated by the Company;
(b) shall promptly disclose to the Company all inventions, ideas,
devices, and processes made or conceived by him alone or jointly with others,
from the time of entering the Company's employ until such employment is
terminated, relevant or pertinent in any way, whether directly or indirectly,
to the Company's Business or production operations or resulting from or
suggested by any work which he may have done for the Company or at its request;
(c) shall, at all times during his employment with the Company,
assist the Company (entirely at the Company's expense) to obtain and develop
for the Company's benefit patents on such inventions, ideas, devices and
processes, whether or not patented; and
(d) shall do all such acts and execute, acknowledge and deliver all
such instruments as may be necessary or desirable in the opinion of the Company
to vest in the Company the entire interest in such inventions, ideas, devices,
and processes referred to above.
The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, the Executive shall not
be required to assign or offer to assign to the Company any of the Executive's
rights in any invention for which no equipment, supplies, facility, or trade
secret information of the Company was used and which was developed entirely on
the Executive's own time, unless: (A) the invention related to (i) the
Business of the Company; or (ii) the Company's actual or demonstrably
anticipated (with the realistic prospect of occurring) research or development;
or (B) the invention results from any work performed by the Executive for the
Company. The Executive acknowledges his prior receipt of written notification
of the limitation set forth in the preceding sentence on the Executive's
obligation to assign or offer to assign to the Company the Executive's rights
in inventions.
15. Confidentiality of Information: Duty of Non-Disclosure.
(a) The Executive acknowledges and agrees that his employment by
the Company under this Agreement necessarily involves his understanding of and
access to certain trade secrets and confidential information pertaining to the
Business of the Company. Accordingly, the Executive agrees that after the date
of this Agreement at all times he will not, directly or indirectly, without the
express consent of the Company, disclose to or use for the benefit of any
person, corporation or other entity, or for himself any and all files, trade
secrets or other confidential information concerning the internal affairs of the
Company, including, but not limited to, information pertaining to its
customers, prospective customers, services, products, earnings, finances,
operations, methods or other activities, provided, however, that the foregoing
shall not apply to information which is of public record or is generally known,
disclosed or available to the general public or the industry generally, or known
by Executive prior to his employment with the Company. Further, the Executive
agrees that he shall not, directly or indirectly, remove or retain, without the
express prior written consent of the Company, and upon termination of this
Agreement for any reason shall return to the Company, any confidential figures,
calculations, letters, papers, records, computer disks, computer print-outs,
lists, documents, instruments, drawings, designs, programs, brochures, sales
literature, or any copies thereof, or any information or instruments derived
therefrom, or any other similar information of any type or description, however
such information might be obtained or recorded, arising out of or in any way
relating to the Business of the Company or obtained as a result of his
employment by the Company. The Executive acknowledges that all of the foregoing
are proprietary information, and are the exclusive property of the Company. The
covenants contained in this Section 15 shall survive the termination of this
Agreement.
(b) The Executive agrees and acknowledges that the Company does not
have any adequate remedy at law for the breach or threatened breach by the
Executive of his covenant, and agrees that the Company shall be entitled to
injunctive relief to bar the Executive from such breach or threatened breach in
addition to any other remedies which may be available to the Company at law or
in equity.
16. Covenant Not to Compete.
(a) During Employment Period. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, which
consent may be withheld at the sole and reasonable discretion of the Company,
engage in any other business activity for gain, profit, or other pecuniary
advantage (excepting the investment of funds in such form or manner as will not
require any services on the part of the Executive in the operation of the
affairs of the companies in which such investments are made) or engage in or
in any manner be connected or concerned, directly or indirectly, whether as an
officer, director, stockholder, partner, owner, employee, creditor, or
otherwise, with the operation, management, or conduct of any business that
competes with the Business of the Company.
(b) Following Termination of Employment Period. Within the one
(1) year period immediately following the end of the Employment Period,
regardless of the reason therefore, the Executive shall not engage in the
following, but only to the extent that these activities compete in a similar
Business to the Company, without the prior written consent of the Company,
which consent may be withheld at the sole discretion of the Company: (A) engage
in or in any manner be connected or concerned, directly or indirectly, whether
as an officer, director, stockholder, partner, owner, employee, creditor, or
otherwise with the operation, management, or conduct of any business similar
to the Business being conducted at the time of such termination within a
100-mile radius from Milwaukee, Wisconsin; (B) directly solicit, contact,
interfere with, or divert any customer served by the Company for the Business,
or any prospective customer identified by or on behalf of the Company, during
the Executive's employment with the Company; or (C) directly solicit any
employee then employed by the Company or previously employed by the Company
within the one year period preceding termination of the Executive's
employment with the Company to join the Executive, whether as a partner,
agent, employee or otherwise, in any enterprise engaged in a business similar
to the Business of the Company being conducted at the time of such
termination.
(c) Acknowledgment. The Executive acknowledges that the
restrictions set forth in Section 16 are reasonable in scope and essential to
the preservation of the Business of the Company and proprietary properties and
that the enforcement thereof will not in any manner preclude the Executive, in
the event of the Executive's termination of employment with the Company, from
becoming gainfully employed in such manner and to such extent as to provide a
standard of living for himself, the members of his family, and those dependent
upon him of at least the sort and fashion to which he and they have become
accustomed and may expect.
(d) Severability. The covenants of the Executive contained in
Section 16 of this Agreement shall each be construed as an agreement
independent of any other provision in this Agreement, and the existence of any
claim or cause of action of the Executive against the Company, whether
predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to
the enforcement by the Company of such covenants. Both parties hereby expressly
agree and contract that it is not the intention of either party to violate any
public policy, or statutory or common law, and that if any sentence, paragraph,
clause, or combination of the same of this Agreement is in violation of the
law, such sentence, paragraph, clause or combination of the same shall be void,
and the remainder of such paragraph and this Agreement shall remain binding on
the parties to make the covenants of this Agreement binding only to the extent
that it may be lawfully done. In the event that any part of any covenant of
this Agreement is determined by a court of law to be overly broad thereby
making the covenant unenforceable, the parties hereto agree, and it is their
desire, that such court shall substitute a judicially enforceable limitation
in its place, and that as so modified the covenant shall be binding upon the
parties as if originally set forth herein.
17. Arbitration.
(a) Subject to the terms of Section 19(h) below, upon presentation
of a written claim or claims (collectively "Claims") arising out of or relating
to this Agreement, or the breach hereof, by an aggrieved party, the other party
shall have thirty (30) days in which to make such inquiries of the aggrieved
party and conduct such investigations as it believes reasonably necessary to
determine the validity of the Claims. At the end of such period of
investigation, the complained of party shall either pay the amount of the
Claims or the arbitration proceeding described in Section 17(b) shall be
invoked, subject to the terms of Section 17(g) below.
(b) In the event that the Claims are not settled by the procedure
set forth in Section 17(a), the Claims shall be submitted to arbitration
conducted in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules ("Rules") of the
American Arbitration Association ("AAA") except as amplified or otherwise
varied hereby.
(c) The parties shall submit the dispute to the Milwaukee,
Wisconsin regional office of the AAA and the situs of the arbitration shall
be Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(d) The arbitration shall be conducted by a single arbitrator. The
parties shall appoint the single arbitrator to arbitrate the dispute within ten
(10) business days of the submission of the dispute. In the absence of
agreement as to the identity of the single arbitrator to arbitrate the dispute
within such time, the AAA is authorized to appoint an arbitrator in accordance
with the rules, except that the arbitrator shall have as his principal place of
business the Milwaukee, Wisconsin metropolitan area.
(e) The single arbitrator selected by AAA shall be an attorney
licensed to practice by the State of Wisconsin.
(f) Anything in the Rules to the contrary notwithstanding, the
arbitration award shall be made in accordance with the following procedure:
(i) in the event the dispute involves monetary relief, each party shall, at
the commencement of the arbitration hearing, submit an initial statement of
the amount each party proposes be selected by the arbitrator as the
arbitration award ("Settlement Amount"). During the course of the arbitration,
each party may vary its proposed Settlement Amount. At the end of the
arbitration hearing, each party shall submit to the arbitrator its final
Settlement Amount ("Final Settlement Amount"), and the arbitrator shall be
required to select either one or the other Final Settlement Amounts as the
arbitration award without discretion to select any other amount as the award.
The arbitration award shall be paid within thirty (30) business days after
the award has been made, together with interest from the date of award at the
rate of nine percent (9%). Judgment upon the award may be entered in any
federal or state court having jurisdiction over the parties; (ii) in the
event the dispute involves the interpretation of this Agreement, each party
shall submit an initial statement of the interpretation each party proposes
be selected by the arbitrator as the arbitration award ("Proposed
Interpretation"). During the course of the arbitration, each party may vary
its Proposed Interpretation. At the end of the arbitration hearing, each party
shall submit to the arbitrator its final Proposed Interpretation, and the
arbitrator shall select either one or the other final Proposed Interpretations,
or a reasonable alternative, as the arbitration award. Judgment upon the award
may be entered in any federal or state court having jurisdiction over the
parties.
(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any
matter which pursuant to the terms of this Agreement is to be resolved by the
Board or the Executive Committee of the Board in its sole discretion shall be
so resolved without arbitration.
18. Excise Tax Equalization Payment
(a) Excise Tax Equalization Payment. Notwithstanding anything
contained in this Agreement or any other agreement between Executive and the
Company to the contrary, in the event that the Executive becomes entitled to
severance benefits or any other payment or benefit under this Agreement, or
under any other agreement with or plan or compensation arrangement with the
Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates (in the aggregate, the "Total
Payments"), if all or any part of the Total Payments will be subject to the
tax (the "Excise Tax") imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (or any similar
tax that may hereafter be imposed), the Company shall pay to the Executive in
cash an additional amount (the "Gross-Up Payment") such that the net amount
retained by the Executive after deduction of any Excise Tax upon the Total
Payments and any federal, state, and local income or employment tax,
penalties, interest, and Excise Tax upon the Gross-Up Payment provided for
by this Section 18 (including FICA and FUTA), shall be equal to the Total
Payments. Such payment shall be made by the Company to the Executive as soon
as practical following the effective date of change in control but in no
event beyond thirty (30) days from such date or the determination that Excise
tax is required to be imposed.
(b) Tax Computation. For purposes of determining whether any of
the Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax and the amounts of such
Excise Tax:
(i) The Change in Control or severance benefits and any
other payments or benefits received or to be received by the Executive
in connection with a Change in Control of the Company or the
Executive's termination of employment (whether pursuant to the terms
of this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement, or agreement with the
Company and subsidiaries or affiliates, or with any Person whose
actions result in a Change in Control of the Company or any Person
affiliated with the Company or such Persons) shall be treated as
"parachute payments" within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the
Code, and all "excess parachute payments" within the meaning of
Section 280G(b )(1) shall be treated as subject to the Excise Tax,
unless in the opinion of a nationally recognized tax counsel selected
by the Company's independent auditors and reasonably acceptable to the
Executive: (A) the Severance Benefits and such other payments or
benefits (in whole or in part) do not constitute parachute payments;
(B) such excess parachute payments (in whole or in part) represent
reasonable compensation for services actually rendered within the
meaning of Section 280G(b)(4) of the Code in excess of the base
amount within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code; or
(iii) are otherwise not subject to the Excise Tax;
(ii) The amount of the Total Payments which shall be
treated as subject to the Excise Tax shall be equal to the lesser of:
(A) the total amount of the Total Payments; or (B) the amount of excess
parachute payments within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(1) (after
applying clause (i) above); and
(iii) The value of any noncash benefits or any deferred
payment or benefit shall be determined by the Company's independent
auditors in accordance with the principles of Sections 280G(d)(3) and
(4) of the Code.
For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive
shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest marginal rate of
federal income taxation in the calendar year in which the Gross-Up Payment is
to be made, and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rate of
taxation in the state and locality of the Executive's residence on the Effective
Date of Change in Control or Termination.,
(c) Subsequent Recalculation. In the event the Internal Revenue
Service adjusts the computation of the Company under Section 18 herein so that
the Executive did not receive the greatest net benefit, the Company shall
reimburse the Executive for the full amount necessary to make the Executive
whole, plus a market rate of interest, as determined by the national tax
counsel referred to above.
(d) Costs of Calculations. The Company agrees to bear all costs
associated with this Section.
19. General Provisions.
(a) Goodwill. The Company has invested substantial time and money
in the development of its products, services, territories, advertising and
marketing thereof, soliciting clients and creating goodwill. By accepting
employment with the Company, the Executive acknowledges that the customers are
the customers of the Company, and that any goodwill created by the Executive
belongs to and shall inure to the benefit of the Company.
(b) Notices. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be
made in writing (i) either by actual delivery of the notice into the hands of
the party thereunder entitled, or (ii) by depositing the notice with a
nationally recognized overnight delivery service, all shipping costs prepaid
and addressed to the party to whom the notice is to be given at the party's
respective address set forth below, or such other address as the parties may
from time to time designate by written notice as herein provided.
As addressed to the Company:
Merge Technologies Incorporated
1126 South 70th Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53214-3151
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
With a copy to:
Shefsky & Froelich Ltd.
444 North Michigan Avenue
Suite 2500
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Attention: Mitchell D. Goldsmith, Esquire
As addressed to the Executive:
Mr. David M. Noshay
To his last address as appears on the
records of the Company
The notice shall be deemed to be received on the date of its actual receipt by
the party entitled thereto.
(c) Amendment and Waiver. No amendment or modification of this
Agreement shall be valid or binding upon the Company unless made in writing and
signed by an officer of the Company duly authorized by the Board or upon the
Executive unless made in writing and signed by him. The waiver by the Company
of the breach of any provision of this Agreement by the Executive shall not
operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by him.
(d) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire
Agreement between the parties with respect to the Executive's duties and
compensation as an executive of the Company, and there are no representations,
warranties, agreements or commitments between the parties hereto with respect
to his employment except as set forth herein. No presumption shall be made in
favor or against either party based upon who has served as draftsman of this
Agreement.
(e) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the internal laws (and not the law of conflicts)
of the State of Wisconsin.
(f) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall, for
any reason, be held unenforceable, such provision shall be severed from this
Agreement unless, as a result of such severance, the Agreement fails to reflect
the basic intent of the parties. If the Agreement continues to reflect the basic
intent of the parties, then the invalidity of such specific provision shall not
affect the enforceability of any other provision herein, and the remaining
provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
(g) Assignment. The Executive may not under any circumstances
delegate any of his rights and obligations hereunder without first obtaining
the prior written consent of the Company. This Agreement and all of the
Company's rights and obligations hereunder may be assigned or transferred by
it, in whole or in part, to be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any
subsidiary or successor of the Company, provided either the successor has a
net worth greater than the Company at the time of assignment or the Company
remains primarily liable with respect to the obligations so assigned.
(h) Costs of Enforcement, Litigation. In the event of any suit
or proceeding seeking to enforce the terms, covenants, or conditions of this
Agreement, the prevailing party shall, in addition to all other remedies and
relief that may be available under this Agreement or applicable law, recover
his or its reasonable attorneys' fees and costs as shall be determined and
awarded by the court. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in
Section 17 above or elsewhere herein any controversy or dispute with respect
to the terms of Section 13, 14, 15 or 16 of this Agreement will survive
termination of this Agreement and shall be litigated in the state of federal
courts of competent jurisdiction situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to which
jurisdiction and venue all parties consent.
(i) Mitigation. The Executive shall not be obligated to seek other
employment in mitigation of the amounts payable under this Agreement, and the
obtaining of any such other employment shall in no event effect any reduction
of the Company's obligations to make payments hereunder. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if Executive receives the payments described in Section 9 by
terminating his employment following a change in control and Executive
subsequently becomes re-employed by the Company or by the party or parties
effecting the change in control, the amounts earned on re-employment (up to
a period of one year's compensation) shall be repaid to the Company.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement is entered into as of the day and
year first above written.
COMPANY:
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
By: /s/ Richard A. Linden
----------------------------
Richard A. Linden
President and Chief Executive Officer
EXECUTIVE:
By: /s/ David M. Noshay
----------------------------
DAVID M. NOSHAY
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EXHIBIT 10.10
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MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
2000 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
ARTICLE I -- PURPOSE
1.01 PURPOSE
The Merge Technologies Incorporated 2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the
"Plan") is intended to provide a method whereby employees of Merge Technologies
Incorporated and its Subsidiary Corporations (hereinafter referred to, unless
the context otherwise requires, as the "Company") will have an opportunity to
acquire a proprietary interest in the Company through the purchase of shares of
Company's common stock, par value $0.01 (the "Common Stock"). It is the
intention of the Company to have the Plan qualify as an "employee stock purchase
plan" under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"). The provisions of the Plan shall be construed to extend and limit
participation in a manner consistent with the requirements of that Section of
the Code.
ARTICLE II -- DEFINITIONS
(a) "Administrator" means the Company's chief financial officer.
(b) "Base Pay" shall mean regular straight-time earnings excluding payments
for overtime, vacation, shift premium, bonuses and other special payments,
commissions and other marketing incentive payments.
(c) "Beneficiary" means beneficiary of a participant designated pursuant to
Section 12.01.
(d) "Board" means the Board of the Directors of the Company.
(e) "Committee" shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board or any
other committee designated by the Board to administer the Plan.
(f) "Employee" means any person who is customarily employed on a full-time or
part-time basis by the Company and is regularly scheduled to work more than 20
hours per week.
(g) "Fair Market Value" shall mean the value of one share of Common Stock on
the relevant date determined as follows:
(1) If the shares are traded on an exchange (including the NASDAQ
National Market System), the reported 'closing price' on the relevant
date (i.e. the Offering Commencement Date or the Offering Termination
Date) assuming it is a trading day, otherwise on the preceding nearest
trading date;
(2) If the shares are traded over-the-counter with no reported closing
price, the mean between the lowest bid and the highest asked prices on
said system on the relevant date assuming it is a trading day, otherwise
on the preceding nearest trading date; and
(3) if neither of the foregoing applies, the fair market value as
determined by the Committee in good faith, such determination to be
conclusive and binding on all persons.
(h) "Subsidiary Corporation" shall mean any present or future corporation which
(i) would be a "subsidiary corporation" of the Company as that term is defined
in Section 424 of the Code and (ii) is designated as a participant in the Plan
by the Committee.
The masculine pronoun whenever used herein is deemed to include the feminine,
and the singular shall be deemed to include the plural whenever the context
requires.
ARTICLE III -- ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION
3.01 INITIAL ELIGIBILITY
All Employees of the Company or of any Subsidiary Corporation shall be eligible
to participate in an offering under the Plan as of the first day of the
calendar quarter next following their date of employment.
3.02 LEAVE OF ABSENCE
For purposes of participation in the Plan, a person on leave of absence shall
be deemed to be an Employee for the first 90 days of such leave of absence and
such Employee's employment shall be deemed to have terminated for purposes of
this Plan at the close of business on the 90th day of such leave of absence
unless such Employee shall have returned to regular full-time or part-time
employment (as the case may be) prior to the close of business on such 90th
day. Termination by the Company of any Employee's leave of absence shall
terminate an Employee's employment for all purposes of the Plan and shall
terminate such Employee's participation in the Plan and right to exercise any
option.
3.03 RESTRICTIONS ON PARTICIPATION
Notwithstanding any provisions of the Plan to the contrary, no Employee shall
be granted an option to participate in the Plan:
(a) if, immediately after the grant, such Employee would own stock, and/or
hold outstanding options to purchase stock, possessing 5% or more of
the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the
Company (for purposes of this paragraph, the rules of Section 424(d) of
the Code shall apply in determining stock ownership of any employee);
or
(b) which permits his rights to purchase stock under all employee stock
purchase plans of the Company to accrue at a rate which exceeds $25,000
in fair market value of the stock (determined at the time such option
is granted) for each calendar year in which such option is outstanding.
3.04 COMMENCEMENT OF PARTICIPATION
An eligible Employee may become a participant by completing an authorization
for a payroll deduction on the form provided by the Company and filing it with
the Administrator on or before the date set therefore by the Committee, which
date shall be prior to the Offering Commencement Date for the Offering (as such
terms are defined below). Payroll deductions for a participant shall commence
on the applicable Offering Commencement Date when his authorization for a
payroll deduction becomes effective and shall end on the Offering Termination
Date of the Offering to which such authorization is applicable unless sooner
terminated by the participant as provided in Section 8.01.
3.05 STOCK
The stock offered hereunder shall be shares of Common Stock either (i)
authorized but unissued, (ii) purchased in the open market by the Company or
at its direction or (iii) issued and held in treasury. Subject to adjustment in
accordance with the provisions of Section 12.03, the total number of shares of
Common Stock that may be offered shall not exceed the Maximum Share Limit. If
at any time participating Employees elect to purchase more than the Maximum
Share Limit, then the number of shares of Common Stock which may be purchased
by each participating Employee shall be reduced pro rata. In the event that an
Employee's participation under the Plan for any reason ends or is terminated
and the shares which are subject to purchase are not purchased, such
unpurchased shares of Common Stock shall again be available for offering under
the Plan.
ARTICLE IV -- OFFERINGS
4.01 OFFERING PERIODS.
Each Offering Period will be determined by the Committee. Unless otherwise
determined by the Committee, the Plan will operate with successive quarterly
Offering Periods commencing on the first day of each calendar quarter and ending
on the last day of such calendar quarter. The Committee shall have the power
to change the duration of future Offering Periods, without shareholder approval,
and without regard to the expectations of any participants but in no event shall
the duration of any Offering Period exceed 27 months from the date the option
is granted.
ARTICLE V -- PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS
5.01 AMOUNT OF DEDUCTION
At the time a participant files his authorization for payroll deduction, he
shall elect to have deductions made from his pay on each day during the time
he is a participant in an Offering at the rate, expressed as a whole percentage
number, not to exceed 10% of his base pay in effect at the Offering
Commencement Date of such Offering. In the case of a part-time hourly Employee,
such Employee's base pay during an Offering shall be determined by multiplying
such Employee's hourly rate of pay in effect on the Offering Commencement Date
by the number of regularly scheduled hours of work for such Employee during
such Offering. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee shall have the
right, pursuant to Section 11.02, to establish a minimum payroll deduction as a
condition of participation in the Plan, or may delegate such authority to the
Administrator. A minimum of $10.00 per pay period shall apply in the absence
of a minimum established by the Committee.
5.02 PARTICIPANT'S ACCOUNT
All payroll deductions made for a participant shall be credited to his account
under the Plan. A participant may not make any separate cash payment into such
account except when on leave of absence and then only as provided in Section
5.04.
5.03 CHANGES IN PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS
A participant may discontinue his participation in the Plan as provided in
Section 8.01 but no other change can be made during an Offering and,
specifically, a participant may not alter the amount of his payroll deductions
for that Offering.
5.04 LEAVE OF ABSENCE
If a participant goes on a leave of absence, such participant shall have the
right to elect: (a) to withdraw the balance in his account pursuant to Section
7.02, (b) to discontinue contributions to the Plan but remain a participant
in the Plan, or (c) remain a participant in the Plan during such a leave of
absence, authorizing deductions to be made from payments by the Company to
the participant during such leave of absence and undertaking to make cash
payments to the Plan at the end of each payroll period to the extent that
amounts payable by the Company to such participant are insufficient to meet
such participant's authorized Plan deductions.
ARTICLE VI -- GRANTING OF OPTION
6.01 NUMBER OF OPTION SHARES
On the Offering Commencement Date, a participating Employee shall be deemed to
have been granted an option to purchase a maximum number of shares of the stock
of the Company equal to an amount determined as follows: (i) that percentage
of the Employee's Base Pay which he has elected to have withheld (but not in
any case in excess of 10%) multiplied by (ii) the Employee's Base Pay during
the period of the offering (iii) divided by the Designated Percentage (as
defined in Section 6.02) of Fair Market Value on the applicable Offering
Commencement Date.
6.02 OPTION PRICE
The option price of stock purchased with payroll deductions made during the
Offering Period for a participant therein shall be the lower of: (a) a
percentage of the Fair Market Value (the "Designated Percentage") of Common
Stock on the Offering Commencement Date on which an option is granted, or (b)
the Designated Percentage of the Fair Market Value on the Offering Termination
Date. The Committee may change the Designated Percentage with respect to any
future Offering period, but not below eighty-five percent (85%), and the
Committee may determine with respect to any prospective Offering period that
the option price shall be the Designated Percentage of the Fair Market Value
of the Common Stock on the effective purchase date. In the event the Committee
does not select Designated Percentage, the Designated Percentage shall be 85%
up to December 31, 2003 and shall be 100% commencing January 1, 2004.
ARTICLE VII -- EXERCISE OF OPTION
7.01 AUTOMATIC EXERCISE
Unless a participant gives written notice to the Company as hereinafter
provided, his option for the purchase of Common Stock with payroll deductions
made during any Offering will be deemed to have been exercised automatically
on the last day of each calendar quarter in the Offering Period applicable to
such offering, for the purchase of the number of full shares of Common Stock
which the accumulated payroll deductions in his account at that time will
purchase at the applicable option price (but not in excess of the number of
shares for which options have been granted to the Employee pursuant to Section
6.01), and any excess in his account at that time shall be carried over into
the next Offering, or if there is none, shall be returned to him.
7.02 WITHDRAWAL OF ACCOUNT
By written notice to the Administrator, at any time prior to the Offering
Termination Date applicable to any Offering, a participant may elect to
withdraw all the accumulated payroll deductions in his account at such time.
7.03 FRACTIONAL SHARES
Fractional shares will not be issued under the Plan and any accumulated payroll
deductions which would have been used to purchase fractional shares will be
returned to any Employee promptly following the termination of an Offering,
without interest.
7.04 TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTION
During a participant's lifetime, options held by such participant shall be
exercisable only by that participant. Neither payroll deductions credited to
a participant's account nor any rights with regard to the exercise of an option
or to receive Common Stock under the Plan may be assigned, transferred, pledged,
or otherwise disposed of in any way by the participant other than by will or the
laws of descent and distribution. Any such attempted assignment, transfer,
pledge or other disposition shall be without effect, except that the Company
may treat such act as an election to withdraw funds in accordance with Section
7.02.
7.05 DELIVERY OF STOCK
As promptly as practicable after each exercise pursuant to Section 7.01, the
Company will deliver to each participant, as appropriate, the stock purchased
upon exercise of his option.
7.06 EXPENSES
The Company will bear the expenses of administering the Plan. The Company will
not bear fees related to an Employee holding or disposing of Common Stock.
7.07 WITHHOLDING
Any amounts to be paid or shares of Common Stock to be delivered by the Company
under the Plan shall be reduced to the extent permitted or required under
applicable law by sums required to be withheld by the Company or any Subsidiary
Corporation.
ARTICLE VIII -- WITHDRAWAL
8.01 IN GENERAL
As indicated in Section 7.02, a participant may withdraw payroll deductions
credited to his account under the Plan at any time by giving written notice to
the Administrator. All of the participant's payroll deductions credited to his
account will be paid to him promptly after receipt of his notice of withdrawal,
and no further payroll deductions will be made from his pay during such
Offering. The Company may, at its option, treat any attempt to borrow by an
Employee on the security of his accumulated payroll deductions as an election,
under Section 7.02, to withdraw such deductions.
8.02 EFFECT ON SUBSEQUENT PARTICIPATION
A participant's withdrawal from any Offering will not have any effect upon his
eligibility to participate in any succeeding Offering or in any similar plan
which may hereafter be adopted by the Company.
8.03 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
Upon termination of the participant's employment for any reason, including
retirement (but excluding death while in the employ of the Company or
continuation of a leave of absence for a period beyond 90 days), the payroll
deductions credited to his account will be returned to him, or in the case of
his death subsequent to the termination of his employment, to the person or
persons entitled thereto under Section 12.01.
8.04 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT DUE TO DEATH
Upon termination of the participant's employment because of his death, his
Beneficiary (as defined in Section 12.01) shall have the right to elect, by
written notice given to the Administrator prior to the earlier of the next
exercise date as provided in Section 7.01 or the expiration of a period of
sixty (60) days commencing with the date of the death of the participant,
either:
(a) to withdraw all of the payroll deductions credited to the participant's
account under the Plan, or
(b) to exercise the participant's option for the purchase of stock on the
exercise date next following the date of the participant's death for
the purchase of the number of full shares of stock which the accumulated
payroll deductions in the participant's account at the date of the
participant's death will purchase at the applicable option price, and
any excess in such account will be returned to said beneficiary, without
interest. In the event that no such written notice of election shall
be duly received by the office of the Administrator, the beneficiary
shall automatically be deemed to have elected, pursuant to paragraph
(b), to exercise the participant's option.
8.05 LEAVE OF ABSENCE
A participant on leave of absence shall, subject to the election of such
participant pursuant to Section 5.04, continue to be a participant in the Plan
so long as such participant is on continuous leave of absence. A participant
who has been on leave of absence for more than 90 days and who therefore is
not an employee for the purpose of the Plan shall not be entitled to
participate in any offering commencing after the 90th day of such leave of
absence. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, unless a participant
on leave of absence returns to regular full-time or part-time employment with
the Company at the earlier of: (a) the termination of such leave of absence or
(b) three months from the 90th day of such leave of absence, such participant's
participation in the Plan shall terminate on whichever of such dates first
occurs.
ARTICLE IX -- INTEREST
9.01 PAYMENT OF INTEREST
No interest will be paid or allowed on any money paid into the Plan or credited
to the account of any participant employee.
ARTICLE X -- STOCK
10.01 MAXIMUM SHARES
The maximum number of shares which shall be issued under the Plan, subject to
the adjustment upon changes in capitalization of the Company as provided in
Section 12.03 shall be 750,000 shares of Common Stock. If the total number of
shares for which options are exercised on any exercise date in accordance with
Section 7.01 exceeds the maximum number of shares for the applicable offering,
the Company shall make a pro rata allocation of the shares available for
delivery and distribution in nearly a uniform manner as shall be practicable
and as it shall determine to be equitable, and the balance of payroll
deductions credited to the account of each participant under the Plan shall be
returned to him as promptly as possible.
10.02 PARTICIPANT'S INTEREST IN OPTION STOCK
The participant will have no interest in stock covered by his option until such
option has been exercised.
10.03 REGISTRATION OF STOCK
Stock to be delivered to the participant under the Plan will be registered in
the name of the participant, or if the participant so directs by written notice
to the Administrator prior to the Offering Termination Date applicable thereto,
in the names of the participant and one such other person as may be designated
by the participant, as joint tenants with rights of survivorship or as tenants
by the entireties, to the extent permitted by applicable law.
10.04 RESTRICTIONS ON EXERCISE
The Board of Directors may, in its discretion, require as conditions to the
exercise of any option that the shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance
upon the exercise of the option shall have been duly listed upon official notice
of issuance, upon a stock exchange, and that either:
(a) a Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
with respect to said shares shall be effective, or
(b) the participant shall have represented at the time of purchase, in form
and substance satisfactory to the Company, that it is his intention to
purchase the shares for investment and not for resale or distribution.
In addition, the Company reserves the right to require participants to disclose
to the Administrator or other Company representatives all information concerning
the sales of shares issued pursuant to the Plan for the purposes of ensuring
the Company's and participants' compliance with tax, securities and other
applicable laws.
ARTICLE XI -- ADMINISTRATION
11.01 APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE
The Committee shall administer the Plan and shall consist of no fewer than two
members of the Board of Directors. No member of the Committee shall be eligible
to purchase stock under the Plan.
11.02 AUTHORITY OF COMMITTEE
Subject to the express provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have plenary
authority in its discretion to interpret and construe any and all provisions
of the Plan, to adopt rules and regulations for administering the Plan, and to
make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering
the Plan. The Committee's determination on the foregoing matters shall be final
and conclusive. The Committee may employ such agents, attorneys, accountants or
any other persons and delegate to them such powers, rights, and duties as the
Committee may consider necessary to properly carry out the administration of
the Plan.
11.03 RULES GOVERNING THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE COMMITTEE
The Board of Directors may from time to time appoint members of the Committee
in substitution for or in addition to members previously appointed and may fill
vacancies, however caused, in the Committee. The Committee may select one of
its members as its Chairman and shall hold its meetings at such times and
places as it shall deem advisable and may hold telephonic meetings. A majority
of its members shall constitute a quorum. All determinations of the Committee
shall be made by a majority of its members. The Committee may correct any
defect or omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan, in the manner
and to the extent it shall deem desirable. Any decision or determination reduced
to writing and signed by a majority of the members of the Committee shall be
as fully effective as if it had been made by majority vote at a meeting duly
called and held. The Committee may appoint a secretary and shall make such
rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as it shall deem
advisable.
ARTICLE XII -- MISCELLANEOUS
12.01 DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARY
A participant may file a written designation of a Beneficiary who is to receive
any stock and/or cash. Such designation of beneficiary may be changed by the
participant at any time by written notice to the Administrator. Upon the death
of a participant and upon receipt by the Company of proof of identity and
existence at the participant's death of a Beneficiary validly designated by him
under the Plan, the Company shall deliver such stock and/or cash to such
Beneficiary. In the event of the death of a participant and in the absence of a
Beneficiary validly designated under the Plan who is living at the time of such
participant's death, the Company shall deliver such stock and/or cash to the
executor or administrator of the estate of the participant, or if no such
executor or administrator has been appointed (to the knowledge of the Company),
the Company, in its discretion, may deliver such stock and/or cash to the
spouse or to any one or more dependents of the participant as the Company may
designate. No beneficiary shall, prior to the death of the participant by whom
he has been designated, acquire any interest in the stock or cash credited to
the participant under the Plan.
12.02 USE OF FUNDS
All payroll deductions received or held by the Company under this Plan may be
used by the Company for any corporate purpose and the Company shall not be
obligated to segregate such payroll deductions.
12.03 ADJUSTMENT UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION
(a) If, while any options are outstanding, the outstanding shares of Common
Stock of the Company have increased, decreased, changed into, or been
exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or securities of
the Company through reorganization, merger, recapitalization,
reclassification, stock split, reverse stock split or similar
transaction, appropriate and proportionate adjustments may be made by
the Committee in the number and/or kind of shares which are subject to
purchase under outstanding options and on the option exercise price or
prices applicable to such outstanding options. In addition, in any
such event, the number and/or kind of shares which may be offered in
the Offerings described in Article IV hereof shall also be
proportionately adjusted. No adjustments shall be made for stock
dividends. For the purposes of this Paragraph, any distribution of
shares to shareholders in an amount aggregating 20% or more of the
outstanding shares shall be deemed a stock split and any distributions
of shares aggregating less than 20% of the outstanding shares shall
be deemed a stock dividend.
(b) Upon the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or upon a
reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company with one or
more corporations as a result of which the Company is not the surviving
corporation, or upon a sale of substantially all of the property or
stock of the Company to another corporation, the holder of each option
then outstanding under the Plan will thereafter be entitled to receive
at the next exercise date pursuant to Section 7.01 upon the exercise
of such option for each share as to which such option shall be
exercised, as nearly as reasonably may be determined, the cash,
securities and/or property which a holder of one share of the Common
stock was entitled to receive upon and at the time of such
transaction. The Board of Directors shall take such steps in
connection with such transactions as the Board shall deem necessary
to assure that the provisions of this Section 12.03 shall thereafter
be applicable, as nearly as reasonably may be determined, in relation
to the said cash, securities and/or property as to which such holder
of such option might thereafter be entitled to receive.
12.4 AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
The Board of Directors shall have complete power and authority to terminate or
amend the Plan; provided, however, that the Board of Directors shall not,
without the approval of the stockholders of the Corporation (i) increase the
maximum number of shares which may be issued under any Offering (except
pursuant to Section 12.04); (ii) amend the requirements as to the class of
employees eligible to purchase stock under the Plan or permit the members of
the Committee to purchase stock under the Plan. No termination, modification,
or amendment of the Plan may, without the consent of an Employee then having
an option under the Plan to purchase stock, adversely affect the rights of such
Employee under such option.
12.05 EFFECTIVE DATE
The Plan shall become effective as of July 1, 2000, subject to approval by th
holders of the majority of the Common Stock present and represented at a
special or annual meeting of the shareholders held on or before July 1, 2000.
If the Plan is not so approved, the Plan shall not become effective.
12.06 NO EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS
The Plan does not, directly or indirectly, create any right for the benefit
of any employee or class of employees to purchase any shares under the Plan,
or create in any employee or class of employees any right with respect to
continuation of employment by the Company, and it shall not be deemed to
interfere in any way with the Company's right to terminate, or otherwise
modify, an employee's employment at any time.
12.07 EFFECT OF PLAN
The provisions of the Plan shall, in accordance with its terms, be binding
upon, and inure to the benefit of, all successors of each employee
participating in the Plan, including, without limitation, such employee's
estate and the executors, administrators or trustees thereof, heirs and
legatees, and any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy or representative of
creditors of such employee.
12.08 GOVERNING LAW
The internal laws of the State of Wisconsin will govern all matters relating
to this Plan except to the extent it is superseded by the laws of the United
States. The Plan and all offerings under the Plan are intended to comply in
all aspects with Section 423 of the Code (or its successors section) and Rule
16b-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from
time to time. Should any of the terms of the Plan or offerings be found not
to be in conformity with the terms of Section 423 or Rule 16b-3, such terms
shall be invalid and shall be omitted from the Plan or the offering but the
remaining terms of the Plan shall not be affected. However, to the extent
permitted by law, any provisions which could be deemed invalid and omitted
shall first be construed in compliance with all applicable laws (including
Rule 16b-3) so as to foster the intent of this Plan.
12.09 LITIGATION BY EMPLOYEES OR OTHER PERSONS
To the extent permitted by law, if: (i) a legal action arises against the
Company, a Subsidiary or any Employee or director thereof, or the Committee or
any member thereof, by or on behalf of any participant, in which the
participant is not the prevailing party, or (ii) a legal action arises because
of conflicting claims to shares of Common Stock due an Employee or Beneficiary,
the costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses,
incurred by the Company, a Subsidiary or Employee or director thereof, or the
Committee or any member thereof, in connection with the action will be charged
to the extent possible to the shares of Common Stock or sums, if any, that were
involved in the action or were payable to, or on account of, the Employee or
Beneficiary concerned.
12.10 INDEMNIFICATION
The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless any person who is or was a
director, officer, or Employee of the Company or a Subsidiary and each member
of the Committee, to the extent legally permissible, from and against any and
all loss, damage, liability or expense, including reasonable attorneys' fees
and expenses, to which such person may be subjected by reason of any act or
omission the person made in good faith with respect to the administration of
the Plan, including all expenses the person reasonably incurred in his defense
if the Company fails to provide such defense.
Effective Date: July 1, 2000
Amended: November 13, 2003
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EXHIBIT 10.11
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CREDIT AGREEMENT
THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of November 21, 2003, is between
LINCOLN STATE BANK (the "Bank") and MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED, a
Wisconsin corporation (the "Company").
The Company and the Bank agree as follows:
1. Definitions; Rules of Interpretation.
1.1 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following
terms have the following meanings:
"Affiliate" means, as to any Person, any other Person, directly
or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such
Person. A Person shall be deemed to control another Person if the controlling
Person (a) owns 10% or more of any class of voting Equity Interests of the
controlled Person or (b) possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct
or cause the direction of the management or policies of the controlled Person,
whether by ownership of Equity Interests, by contract or otherwise.
"Borrowing Date" means each date on which a Loan is made by the
Bank to the Company.
"Business Day" means a day (other than Saturday or Sunday) on
which banks are open for business in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
"Capital Expenditures" means, as to any Person and for any
period, all expenditures (whether paid in cash or other consideration) during
such period, without duplication, that are or should be included in additions
to property, plant and equipment or similar items reflected in such Person's
consolidated statement of cash flows for such period; provided that Capital
Expenditures shall not include, for purposes hereof, expenditures of proceeds
of insurance settlements, condemnation awards and other settlements in respect
of lost, destroyed, damaged or condemned assets to the extent such expenditures
are made to replace or repair such assets or otherwise to acquire assets useful
in the business of the Person.
"Capitalized Lease" means, as to any Person, any lease, the
obligations under which have been, or are required to be, recorded as a capital
lease liability on the consolidated balance sheet of that Person and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries.
"Capitalized Lease Obligations" means, as to any Person, at
any date, the obligations of such Person or any of its Consolidated
Subsidiaries under Capitalized Leases.
"Closing Date" means the date hereof.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Consolidated Subsidiaries" means, as to any Person,
Subsidiaries whose financial statements are consolidated with those of such
Person.
"Contingent Obligation" means, as to any Person, any direct or
indirect liability of that Person, whether or not contingent, with or without
recourse, (a) with respect to any Indebtedness, lease, dividend, letter of
credit or other obligation (the "primary obligations") of another Person (each,
a "Guaranty Obligation"); (b) with respect to any letter of credit, banker's
acceptance, bank guaranty, surety bond and other similar instruments issued
for the account of that Person or as to which that Person is otherwise liable
for reimbursement of drawings or payments; (c) to purchase any materials,
supplies or other property from, or to obtain the services of, another Person
if the relevant contract or other related document or obligation requires that
payment for such materials, supplies or other property, or for such services,
shall be made regardless of whether delivery of such materials, supplies or
other property is ever made or tendered, or such services are ever performed
or tendered, or (d) in respect of any Swap Contract; provided, however, that,
(i) the guaranty of real estate leases of the Company's Subsidiaries and (ii)
any product, software or service warranty offered by the Company or its
Subsidiaries, shall not constitute a Contingent Obligation.
The amount of any Contingent Obligation shall (x) in the case
of Guaranty Obligations, be deemed equal to the stated or determinable amount
of the primary obligation in respect of which such Guaranty Obligation is made
or, if not stated or if indeterminable, the maximum reasonably anticipated
liability in respect thereof, (y) in the case of Swap Contracts, equal the
Termination Value in the case of Swap Contracts under which a "termination
event" or "event of default" has occurred and, in all other cases, shall equal
$0 and (z) in the case of other Contingent Obligations, be deemed equal to the
maximum reasonably anticipated liability of the Person in respect thereof.
"Current Ratio" means, as to any Person, the relationship,
expressed as a numerical ratio, between:
(a) the amount of all current assets on the
consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Consolidated Subsidiaries,
and
(b) the amount of all current liabilities on such
balance sheet, including all Indebtedness payable on demand or maturing
(whether by reason of specified maturity, fixed prepayments, sinking funds or
accruals of any kind, or otherwise) within 12 months or less from the date of
the relevant statement and customers' advances and progress billings on
contracts but excluding, in the case of the Company, the unpaid principal
balance of the Note, deferred revenue and billings in excess of
revenue/contracts in process.
"Default" means any act, event, condition or omission which,
with the giving of notice or lapse of time, would constitute an Event of
Default if uncured or unremedied.
"EBITDA" means, as to any Person and for any period as to
which such amount is being determined, the sum of (a) Net Income (which shall
exclude, without duplication, (i) extraordinary losses and losses upon the
disposition of investments and fixed assets, (ii) any goodwill impairment
expense or intangible asset impairment expense, (iii) foreign currency losses
associated with U.S. dollar denominated assets held outside the United States,
and (iv) other one-time, non-recurring expenses or losses outside the
ordinary course of business approved in writing by the Bank), (b) interest
expense, (c) payment or provision for all applicable income taxes and (d)
depreciation and amortization expense, all as determined without duplication
for the Person and its Consolidated Subsidiaries.
"Environmental Laws" means all federal, state and local laws
including statutes, regulations, ordinances, codes, rules and other governmental
restrictions and requirements relating to the discharge of air pollutants,
water pollutants or process waste water or otherwise relating to the
environment or hazardous substances including the Federal Solid Waste Disposal
Act, the Federal Clean Air Act, the Federal Clean Water Act, the Federal
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, the Federal Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, regulations
of the Environmental Protection Agency, regulations of the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission and regulations of any state department of natural resources or
state environmental protection agency now or at any time hereafter in effect.
"Equity Interest" means, as to any Person, any capital stock,
limited liability company membership interest, partnership interest or other
interest representing equity in, or ownership of, such Person.
"ERISA" means, at any date, the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations thereunder.
"ERISA Affiliate" means any trade or business (whether or
not incorporated) under common control with the Company within the meaning
of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the
Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).
"ERISA Event" means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a
Pension Plan; (b) a withdrawal by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate from a
Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it
was a substantial employer (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a
cessation of operations which is treated as such a withdrawal under Section
4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Company or any
ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer
Plan is in reorganization; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate,
the treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 or 4041A
of ERISA, or the commencement of proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a Pension
Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (e) an event or condition which might reasonably be
expected to constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination
of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan or
Multiemployer Plan; or (f) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of
ERISA, other than PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of
ERISA, upon the Company or any ERISA Affiliate.
"Event of Default" means the occurrence of any of the events
described in section 7.1.
"Financial Covenant Compliance Certificate" means a certificate
of the Company in substantially the form of Exhibit B.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in effect
in the United States from time to time.
"Governmental Authority" means any nation or government, any
state or other political subdivision thereof, any central bank (or similar
monetary or regulatory authority) thereof, any court or similar judicial
authority thereof, any entity exercising executive, legislative, regulatory
or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, and any
corporation or other entity owned or controlled, through Equity Interests or
otherwise, by any of the foregoing.
"Hazardous Materials" means any gasoline or petroleum
(including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum products or any
hazardous or toxic substances, materials or wastes, defined or regulated as
such in or under any Environmental Law, including asbestos, polychlorinated
biphenyls and urea-formaldehyde insulation.
"Indebtedness" means, as to any Person, (a) all indebtedness
for borrowed money, (b) Capitalized Lease Obligations, (c) notes payable and
drafts accepted representing extensions of credit, (d) any obligation owed for
all or any part of the deferred purchase price of property or services
(excluding trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business) and
(e) all indebtedness secured by any Lien on any property of the Person even
though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such
Indebtedness, provided that for purposes of this clause (e) the amount of such
Indebtedness shall be limited to the greater of (i) the amount of such
Indebtedness as to which there is recourse to such Person and (ii) the fair
market value of the property which is subject to the Lien.
"Interest Coverage Ratio" means, as to any Person, the
relationship, expressed as a numerical ratio, between:
(a) EBITDA;
and
(b) interest expense;
all as determined, without duplication, for such Person and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries for the four quarter period preceding the date of determination.
"IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service, and any Governmental
Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions under the Code.
"Lien" means any security interest, mortgage, deed of trust,
pledge, hypothecation, assignment, charge or deposit arrangement, encumbrance,
lien (statutory or otherwise) or charge of any kind including any agreement to
give any of the foregoing, any conditional sale or other title retention
agreement or any financing or similar statement or notice filed under the
Uniform Commercial Code as adopted and in effect in the relevant jurisdiction
(or other similar recording or notice statute, and any lease in the nature
thereof), except a filing for precautionary purposes made with respect to a
true lease or other true bailment.
"Loan" means an extension of credit made by the Bank to the
Company pursuant to section 2.1 of this Agreement.
"Loan Documents" means this Agreement, the Note, all Permitted
Swap Agreements and all other documents, instruments, agreements and
certificates related to or executed in connection with this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby.
"Margin Stock" means "margin stock" as such term is defined
in Regulation T, U or X of the Federal Reserve Board.
"Material Adverse Effect" means (a) a material adverse change
in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, properties,
condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Company and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole, provided, however, that any liability, claim
or adverse change in an amount less than five percent (5%) of the Tangible
Net Worth of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, shall not be
considered to have a Material Adverse Effect, or (b) a material adverse
effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against
the Company of any Loan Document.
"Maturity Date" means December 31, 2006, such earlier date on
which the Note becomes due and payable pursuant to section 7.2 of this Agreement
or the date this Agreement is terminated by the Company.
"Multiemployer Plan" means a "multiemployer plan", within the
meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Company or any ERISA
Affiliate makes, is making, or is obligated to make contributions or, during
the preceding three calendar years, has made, or been obligated to make,
contributions.
"Net Income" means, as to any Person and for any period as to
which such amount is being determined, the excess of:
(a) all revenues and income derived from operations
in the ordinary course of business (excluding extraordinary gains and profits
upon the disposition of investments and fixed assets),
over
(b) all expenses and other proper charges against
income (including payment or provision for all applicable income and other
taxes, but excluding (i) extraordinary losses and losses upon the disposition
of investments and fixed assets, (ii) any goodwill impairment expense or
intangible asset impairment expense, (iii) foreign currency losses associated
with U.S. dollar denominated assets held outside the United States, (iv) in
process research and development charges arising in connection with an
acquisition of another Person's business by the Company or one of its
Consolidated Subsidiaries, and (v) other one-time, non-recurring expenses or
losses outside the ordinary course of business approved in writing by the Bank),
all as determined for such Person and its Consolidated Subsidiaries.
"Note" means the promissory note of the Company in the form of
Exhibit A.
"Obligations" means all obligations, contingent or otherwise,
whether now existing or hereafter arising, of the Company from time to time owed
to the Bank or an Affiliate of the Bank under the Loan Documents, whether for
principal, interest, fees, expenses, indemnification or otherwise.
"PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or any
Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions under
ERISA.
"Pension Plan" means a pension plan (as defined in Section
3(2) of ERISA) subject to Title IV of ERISA which the Company sponsors,
maintains, or to which it makes, is making, or is obligated to make
contributions, or in the case of a multiple employer plan (as described in
Section 4064(a) of ERISA) has made contributions at any time during the
immediately preceding five (5) plan years.
"Permitted Liens" means (a) Liens listed on Schedule 1
attached hereto, provided that the Indebtedness secured thereby shall not
be renewed, extended or increased; (b) Liens for taxes, assessments or
governmental charges not delinquent or being contested in good faith by the
Company or any Subsidiary for which adequate reserves are established and
maintained; (c) other statutory Lien claims not delinquent including
construction, mechanic's and warehousemen Liens; (d) purchase money Liens
on any property acquired after the date hereof to be used by the Company or
a Subsidiary in the normal course of its business, and created or incurred
simultaneously with the acquisition of such property, if such Lien is
limited to the property so acquired, the Indebtedness secured by Lien does
not exceed 100% of the purchase price of such property and the aggregate
Indebtedness secured by all such Liens for the Company and all Subsidiaries
does not exceed $2,000,000 at any time outstanding during the Company's
2003 or 2004 fiscal years, $2,500,000 during the Company's 2005 fiscal year
or $3,000,000 during the Company's 2006 fiscal year; (e) Liens or deposits
in connection with worker's compensation or other insurance or to secure
the performance of bids, trade contracts (other than for borrowed money),
leases (including landlords' liens), public or statutory obligations,
surety or appeal bonds or other obligations of like nature incurred in
the ordinary course of business; (f) Liens in favor of the Bank or any
Affiliate of the Bank; (g) judgment liens not exceeding $500,000 in the
aggregate at any time outstanding; and (h) easements, restrictions, minor
title irregularities and similar matters which have no material adverse
effect as a practical matter upon the ownership or use of its property by
the Company or any Subsidiary.
"Permitted Swap Agreement" means a Swap Contract between the
Company and the Bank, an Affiliate of the Bank or other counterparty approved
by the Bank.
"Person" means any natural person, corporation, limited
liability company, joint venture, limited liability partnership, partnership,
association, trust or other entity or any Governmental Authority.
"Plan" means an employee benefit plan (as defined in Section
3(3) of ERISA) which the Company sponsors or maintains or to which the Company
makes, is making, or is obligated to make contributions and includes any
Pension Plan.
"Prime Rate" means a rate per annum equal to the prime rate
of interest announced from time to time by the Bank or its parent (which is
not necessarily the lowest rate charged to any customer), changing when and as
said prime rate changes.
"Reportable Event" means any of the events set forth in Section
4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations thereunder, other than any such event for
which the 30-day notice requirement under ERISA has been waived in regulations
issued by the PBGC.
"Requirement of Law" means, as to any Person, any law (statutory
or common), treaty, rule or regulation of a Governmental Authority applicable to
or binding upon the Person or any of its property or any ruling, order, judgment
or determination of an arbitrator or a Governmental Authority to which the
Person or any of its property is subject.
"Restricted Payments" means dividends by the Company or any
Subsidiary based upon the common stock of the Company or any Subsidiary (except
dividends payable to the Company and dividends payable solely in Equity
Interests of the Company) and purchases, redemptions and other acquisitions,
direct or indirect, by the Company or any Subsidiary, of Equity Interests of
the Company.
"Solvent" means, with respect to any Person, that as of the date
of determination both:
(a) (i) the then fair saleable value of the property
of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the
probable Total Liabilities on such Person's then existing debts as they become
absolute and matured considering all financing alternatives and potential asset
sales reasonably available to such Person; and (ii) such Person does not intend
to incur, or believe (nor should it reasonably believe) that it will incur,
debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they become due; and
(b) such Person is "solvent" within the meaning
given that term and similar terms under applicable laws relating to fraudulent
transfers and conveyances.
"Subordinated Debt" means, as to any Person, Indebtedness of
such Person, the payment of which is fully subordinated, in a manner
satisfactory to the Bank, to the prior payment of all Indebtedness of such
Person owed to the Bank or any Affiliate of the Bank.
"Subsidiary" of a Person means any other Person, as of a
particular date, which it directly, or indirectly through one or more of its
Subsidiaries, owns at least 50% of the outstanding Equity Interests of such
other Person.
"Swap Contract" means any agreement, whether or not in writing,
relating to any transaction that is a rate swap, basis swap, forward rate
transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap or
option, bond, note or bill option, interest rate option, forward foreign
exchange transaction, cap, collar or floor transaction, currency swap,
cross-currency rate swap, currency option or any other, similar transaction
(including any option to enter into any of the foregoing) or any combination
of the foregoing, and, unless the context otherwise clearly requires, any
master agreement relating to or governing any or all of the foregoing.
"Tangible Net Worth" means, as to any Person, the total of all
assets that would appear on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person and
its Consolidated Subsidiaries, less the sum of the following:
(a) the book amount of all such assets which would
be treated as intangibles, including all such items as goodwill, trademarks,
trademark rights, trade names, trade-name rights, brands, copyrights, patents,
patent rights, licenses, deferred charges and unamortized debt discount and
expense, but excluding purchase and development software and intangibles
associated with customer contracts;
(b) the amount, if any, at which any Equity
Interests of the Person or any of its Subsidiaries appear on the asset side of
such consolidated balance sheet; and
(c) the Total Liabilities of the Person.
"Termination Value" means, in respect of any Swap Contract,
after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting
agreement relating to such Swap Contract, (a) for any date on or after the
date such Swap Contract has been closed out and termination value determined
in accordance therewith, such termination value, and (b) for any date prior
to the date referenced in clause (a) the amount determined as the mark-to-market
value for such Swap Contract, as determined by the Bank based upon one or more
mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized
dealer in Swap Contracts (which may include the Bank).
"Total Liabilities" means, as to any Person, all items that
would be classified as liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet of such
Person and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, excluding deferred revenue and
billings in excess of revenue/contracts in process.
"Unfunded Pension Liability" means the excess of a Plan's
benefit liabilities under Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA, over the current
value of that Plan's assets, determined in accordance with the assumptions
used for funding the Pension Plan pursuant to Section 412 of the Code for
the applicable plan year.
1.2 Rules of Interpretation. Except as otherwise
explicitly specified to the contrary or unless the context clearly requires
otherwise: (a) all references to a particular statute or regulation include
all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and any successor statute,
regulation or rules, in each case as from time to time in effect; (b)
accounting terms shall be construed, and all financial computations required
under this Agreement shall be made, in accordance with GAAP consistently
applied; (c) references to agreements (including this Agreement) and other
contractual instruments shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments
and other modifications thereto, but only to the extent such amendments and
other modifications are not prohibited by the terms of any Loan Document; (d)
in the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later
specified date, the word "from" means "from and including", the words "to" and
"until" each mean "to but excluding" and the word "through" means "to and
including"; (e) the word "including" shall be construed as "including without
limitation"; (f) references to a fiscal year or fiscal quarter mean the fiscal
year or fiscal quarter of the Company; and (g) references to the word
"Subsidiary" shall mean a Subsidiary of the Company.
2. The Credit Facility; Interest Rate; Fees.
2.1 The Loans. The Bank agrees to lend to the Company,
subject to the terms and conditions hereof, during the period from the date of
this Agreement to the Maturity Date up to the maximum amount at any time
outstanding equal to $15,000,000. Within such maximum amount Loans may be
made, repaid and made again. All Loans shall be evidenced by the Note and
shall be payable on the Maturity Date. Although the Note shall be expressed
to be payable in the maximum amount specified above, the Company shall be
obligated to pay only the amount actually disbursed to or for the account of
the Company, together with interest on the unpaid balance of the sums so
disbursed, which remain outstanding from time to time as shown on the records
of the Bank.
2.2 Borrowing Procedures for Loans. The Company shall
request Loans by written notice, or by telephonic notice confirmed in writing,
to the Bank, not later than 11 a.m., Milwaukee time, on the requested Borrowing
Date (which must be a Business Day). Each such request by the Company must
specify the amount of the requested Loan. Each Loan shall be in a minimum
amount of $100,000 and in integral multiples of $25,000 above such minimum.
In the event of any inconsistency between the telephonic notice and the written
confirmation thereof, the telephonic notice shall control. Each request for a
Loan shall be irrevocable and shall constitute a certification by the Company
that the borrowing conditions specified in section 4.2 will be satisfied on
the specified Borrowing Date. Upon fulfillment of the applicable borrowing
conditions set forth in section 4, the Bank shall deposit the Loan proceeds
in the Company's account maintained with the Bank or as the Company may
otherwise direct in writing.
2.3 Fees.
(a) Unused Commitment Fee. As consideration for
the commitment of the Bank to make Loans, the Company agrees to pay to the Bank,
annually in arrears, on January 15th of each year, commencing January 15, 2004
and on the Maturity Date, a commitment fee equal to 0.10% (10 basis points) per
year on the daily average unused amount of the Bank's commitment to make Loans
hereunder during the preceding calendar year or other applicable period;
provided that for purposes of computing the commitment fee due on January 15,
2004, the applicable period shall be the Closing Date through December 31,
2003. Commitment fees shall be calculated for the actual number of days
elapsed on the basis of a 360-day year.
(b) Financial Covenant Violation Fee. Upon any
failure of the Company to comply with the provisions of sections 6.10, 6.11,
6.12, 6.13 or 6.14, the Company shall, upon demand therefor by the Bank, pay
to the Bank a fee equal to 0.10% (10 basis points) of the then applicable
total commitment amount of the Bank hereunder, provided that such financial
covenant violation fee shall not be imposed more than twice in any calendar
year with respect to all covenants or more than once in any calendar year with
respect to any individual covenant. The Company acknowledges and agrees that
payment of the foregoing fee shall not constitute a waiver by the Bank of the
Company's compliance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement nor shall
payment of the fee constitute a waiver of any other rights and remedies the
Bank may have against the Company as a result of the Company's failure to
comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
2.4 Reduction or Termination of Commitment. The Company
may, on any Business Day on or after January 1, 2004, and upon five (5) days'
prior written notice to the Bank, permanently reduce or terminate the amount
of the Bank's commitment to make Loans; provided that no such reduction shall
reduce the amount of the Bank's commitment to an amount less than the unpaid
principal balance of the Note on the date of such reduction; and provided
further that in the event of a termination, the Company shall pay to the Bank,
on or before the effective date of the termination, the unpaid principal
balance of the Note, all interest accrued thereon and all commitment and other
fees and expenses payable by the Company accrued or incurred through the
termination date. Each partial reduction in the Bank's commitment shall be in
a minimum amount of $500,000 and in integral multiples of $100,000 above such
minimum.
2.5 Interest Rate.
(a) The unpaid principal balance of each Loan
outstanding from time to time shall bear interest for the period commencing on
the Borrowing Date of such Loan until such Loan is paid in full. Each Loan
shall bear interest at the Prime Rate minus three-quarters-of-one-percentage
- -point (0.75% or 75 basis points) and such rate shall change on each date on
which the Prime Rate changes. Accrued interest on Loans shall be due on the
first Business Day of each month, commencing December 1, 2003, and on the
Maturity Date.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 2.5(a)
above, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default,
the unpaid principal balance of each Loan shall, upon notice from the Bank to
the Company, bear interest at an annual rate equal to the rate otherwise in
effect under section 2.5(a) plus three percentage points, payable upon demand.
On and after the Maturity Date, the unpaid principal balance of the Note and
all accrued interest thereon shall bear interest at an annual rate equal to
the Prime Rate plus three percentage points (the "Default Rate") and shall be
payable upon demand.
(c) Interest shall be calculated for the actual
number of days elapsed on the basis of a 360-day year.
2.6 Payments. All payments of principal and interest on
the Note and of all fees due hereunder shall be made at the office of the
Bank in immediately available funds not later than 2:00 P.M., Milwaukee time,
on the date due; funds received after that time shall be deemed to have been
received on the next Business Day. Whenever any payment hereunder or under
the Note is stated to be due on a day which is not a Business Day, such
payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and such extension
of time shall be included in computing any interest or fee then due. The Bank
agrees, pursuant to an automatic payment authorization from the Company to
charge any account of the Company at the Bank for any payment due under the
Note (including prepayments), or any fee or other amount payable hereunder,
on or after the date due.
2.7 Prepayments. The Company may prepay Loans without
premium or penalty. The Company will give the Bank notice of any optional
prepayment of the Note not later than 2:00 P.M., Milwaukee time, on the
prepayment date, specifying the prepayment date and the amount to be prepaid.
Each optional prepayment of the Note shall be in a minimum amount of $100,000
(or if less, the unpaid principal balance of the Note). The amount of such
prepayment shall become due and payable on the specified prepayment date. All
optional prepayments shall be applied first to any fees the Company owes the
Bank and then to the Obligations in such order and manner as the Company
specifies.
2.8 Yield Protection. If, after the date hereof, any new
law or any new governmental rule, regulation, policy, guideline, court decision
or directive (whether or not having the force of law), or any interpretation
thereof, or the compliance of the Bank therewith,
(a) subjects the Bank to any tax, duty, charge or
withholding on or from payments due from the Company (excluding taxation of the
net income of the Bank and any such tax, duty, charge or withholding in effect
as of the date of this Agreement), or changes the basis of taxation of payments
to the Bank in respect of its Loans or other amounts due it hereunder
(excluding taxation of the net income of the Bank);
(b) imposes or increases or deems applicable any
reserve, assessment, insurance charge, special deposit or similar requirement
against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by,
the Bank with respect to the Loans; or
(c) affects the treatment of any Loan or commitment
of the Bank hereunder as an asset or other item included for the purpose of
calculating the appropriate amount of capital to be maintained by the Bank or
any corporation controlling the Bank; or
(d) imposes any other condition the result of which
is to increase the cost to the Bank of making, funding or maintaining the Loans
or reduces any amount received by the Bank in connection with the Loans or
requires the Bank to make any payment calculated by reference to the amount of
Loans held or interest received by it, by an amount deemed material by the Bank;
then, within ten days after written demand by the Bank (accompanied by an
explanation of such increased expense or reduction in amount received), the
Company shall pay the Bank that portion of such increased expense incurred or
reduction in an amount received which the Bank determines is attributable
thereto. Such written notice shall, in the absence of manifest or arithmetic
error, be conclusive and binding on the Company.
2.9 Use of Proceeds. The Company will use the proceeds of
the Loans hereunder solely (a) to refinance the Company's existing obligations
to the Bank and (b) for general corporate and other lawful purposes. The
Company will not use, directly or indirectly, any part of the proceeds of any
Loan for the purpose of purchasing or carrying, or to extend credit to others
for the purpose of purchasing or carrying, any Margin Stock.
3. Representations and Warranties. In order to induce the Bank to
make the Loans, the Company represents and warrants to the Bank:
3.1 Organization; Subsidiaries; Corporate Power. The Company
is a corporation validly existing under the laws of the State of Wisconsin and
(a) no filing has been made with the Wisconsin Department of Financial
Institutions of a decree of dissolution with respect to the Company, (b)
neither the shareholders nor the Board of Directors of the Company have taken
any action authorizing the liquidation or dissolution of the Company, (c) the
Company has filed with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions the
required annual report for its most recently completed report year and (d) the
Company is not the subject of a proceeding under Wisconsin Statutes section
180.1421 or 181.561 to cause its dissolution and no determination has been
made that grounds exist for such action. The Company is duly qualified as a
foreign corporation to do business and is in good standing in every
jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the ownership of its
properties requires such qualification and in which the failure to so qualify
would have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and each Subsidiary has the
corporate power to own its properties and carry on its business as currently
being conducted.
3.2 Authorization and Binding Effect. The execution and
delivery by the Company of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and the
performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder: (a) are within its
corporate power, (b) have been duly authorized by proper corporate action on
the part of the Company, (c) are not in violation of any Requirement of Law,
the Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Company or the terms of any
agreement, restriction or undertaking to which the Company is a party or by
which it is bound, and (d) do not require the approval or consent of the
shareholders of the Company, any Governmental Authority or any other Person,
other than those obtained and in full force and effect. The Loan Documents
to which the Company is a party, when executed and delivered, will constitute
the valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance
with their terms, except as limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws
of general application affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights and
except to the extent that general principles of equity might affect the
specific enforcement of such Loan Documents.
3.3 Financial Statements. The Company has made available
(which for purposes of this Agreement shall mean that the Company has filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an EDGAR filing) to the Bank
the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2002,
and related statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows of the
Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for the year ended on that date,
audited by KPMG and the consolidated balance sheet of the Company dated
September 30, 2003 and related statements of income for the period ended on
such date, prepared by the Company. Such financial statements were prepared
in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods involved,
are correct and complete and fairly present the consolidated financial
condition of the Company and such Subsidiaries as of such dates and the
results of their operations and cash flows for the periods ended on such
dates, subject, in the case of the interim statements, to normal year-end
adjustments. There has been no material adverse change in the condition or
prospects of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, financial or
otherwise, and no event, act or failure to act which would reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect has occurred, since the
date of the most recent financial statement furnished to the Bank.
3.4 Litigation. Except for the matters described on
Schedule 3.4, there is no litigation or administrative proceeding pending or,
to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company or
any Subsidiary or the properties of the Company or any Subsidiary which (a)
purport to affect or pertain to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or
any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or (b) if determined
adversely would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
3.5 Restricted Payments. The Company has not, since the
date of its most recent financial statements furnished to the Bank, made any
Restricted Payments, except those permitted under section 6.1 hereof.
3.6 Indebtedness; No Default. Neither the Company nor any
Subsidiary has any outstanding Indebtedness or Contingent Obligations, except
those permitted under sections 6.2 and 6.3. There exists no default nor has
any act or omission occurred which, with the giving of notice or the passage
of time, would constitute a default under the provisions of (a) any instrument
evidencing such Indebtedness, Contingent Obligation or Operating Lease
Obligation or any agreement relating thereto or (b) any other agreement or
instrument to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party and which would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
3.7 Ownership of Properties; Liens and Encumbrances. The
Company and each Subsidiary has good and marketable title to all property,
real and personal, reflected on the most recent financial statement of the
Company furnished to the Bank, and all property purported to have been
acquired since the date of such financial statement, except property sold or
otherwise disposed of in compliance with section 6.8 subsequent to such date.
All such property is free of any Lien, except Permitted Liens and except for
certain tax Liens which in the aggregate do not have a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Except where
the failure to comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, all owned and leased
buildings and equipment of the Company and each Subsidiary are in good
condition, repair and working order, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and,
to the Company's knowledge, conform to all Requirements of Law.
3.8 Tax Returns Filed. To the best of the Company's
knowledge, the Company and each Subsidiary has filed when due all federal and
state income and other tax returns which are required to be filed except where
the failure to so comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. The Company has paid or made
provision for all taxes shown on said returns and on all assessments received
by it to the extent that such taxes have become due except any such taxes
which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for
which adequate reserves have been established except where the failure to
comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole. The Company has no knowledge of any material
liabilities which may be asserted against it or any Subsidiary upon audit of
its federal or state tax returns.
3.9 Margin Stock. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary
is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business
of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock.
3.10 Regulated Entities. The Company is not an "investment
company" or a company controlled by an "investment company" within the meaning
of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Company is not subject
to any Requirement of Law limiting its ability to incur Indebtedness.
3.11 ERISA Compliance.
(a) Each Plan is in compliance in all material
respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other
Requirements of Law. Each Plan which is intended to qualify under Section
401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the IRS
and to the Company's knowledge, nothing has occurred which would cause a loss
of such qualification. The Company and each ERISA Affiliate has made all
required contributions to any Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code, and no
application for a funding waiver or an extension of any amortization period
pursuant to Section 412 of the Code has been made with respect to any Plan.
(b) There are no pending or, to the Company's
knowledge, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any
Governmental Authority, with respect to any Plan which has resulted or could
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. There has been
no prohibited transaction or other violation of the fiduciary responsibility
rules with respect to any Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) (i) No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably
expected to occur; (ii) no Pension Plan has any Unfunded Pension Liability;
(iii) neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably
expects to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to any
Pension Plan (other than premiums due and not delinquent under Section 4007 of
ERISA); (iv) neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or
reasonably expect to incur, any liability (and no event has occurred which,
with the giving of notice under Section 4219 of ERISA, would result in such
liability) under Section 4201 or 4243 of ERISA with respect to a Multiemployer
Plan; and (v) neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a
transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA.
3.12 No Burdensome Restrictions. Neither the Company nor
any Subsidiary is a party to or is bound by any agreement, instrument,
undertaking, any Requirement of Law, or subject to any other restriction (a)
which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or may in
the future have a Material Adverse Effect, or (b) under or pursuant to which
the Company or any Subsidiary is or will be required to place (or under which
any other person may place) a Lien upon any of its properties securing
Indebtedness either upon demand or upon the happening of a condition, with or
without such demand, other than Permitted Liens.
3.13 Trademarks, Etc. The Company and each Subsidiary
possess adequate trademarks, trade names, copyrights, patents, permits, service
marks and licenses, or rights thereto, for the present and planned future
conduct of their respective businesses substantially as now conducted, without
any known conflict with the rights of others which could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.
3.14 Environmental Matters. Except for the matters described
on Schedule 3.14 and except to the extent that all of the following, in the
aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:
(a) The facilities and properties owned, and to the
Company's knowledge, the facilities and properties leased or operated by the
Company or any Subsidiary (the "Properties") do not contain any Hazardous
Materials in amounts or concentrations which (i) constitute a violation of, or
(ii) could give rise to liability under, any Environmental Law.
(b) With respect to the period during which the
Company or any Subsidiary owned or occupied the Properties, and to the Company's
knowledge after reasonable investigation, with respect to the time before the
Company or any Subsidiary owned or occupied the Properties, there has been no
unremediated release or threat of release of Hazardous Materials at or from the
Properties, or arising from or related to the operations of the Company or any
Subsidiary (the "Business"), in violation of or in amounts or in a manner that
could give rise to liability under Environmental Laws.
(c) The Properties and all operations at the
Properties are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable
Environmental Laws, and there is no violation of any Environmental Law with
respect to the Properties or the Business. The Company and each Subsidiary has
all permits, licenses and approvals required under Environmental Laws.
(d) With respect to the period during which the
Company or any Subsidiary owned or occupied the Properties, and to the
Company's knowledge after reasonable investigation, with respect to the time
before the Company or any Subsidiary owned or occupied the Properties, (i)
Hazardous Materials have not been transported or disposed of from the Properties
in violation of, or in a manner or to a location which could give rise to
liability under any Environmental Law, and (ii) Hazardous Materials have not
been generated, treated, stored or disposed of at, on or under any of the
Properties in violation of, or in a manner that could give rise to liability
under, any applicable Environmental Law.
(e) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has
received any notice of violation, alleged violation, noncompliance, liability
or potential liability regarding environmental matters or compliance with
Environmental Laws with regard to any of the Properties or the Business, nor
does the Company have knowledge or reason to believe that any such notice will
be received or is being threatened.
(f) No judicial proceeding or governmental or
administrative action is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company,
threatened, under any Environmental Law to which the Company or any Subsidiary
is or will be named as a party with respect to the Properties or the Business,
nor are there any consent decrees or other decrees, consent orders,
administrative orders or other orders, or other administrative or judicial
requirements outstanding under any Environmental Law with respect to the
Properties or the Business.
3.15 Solvency. The Company is and, upon the incurrence
of any Obligations by the Company on any date on which this representation is
made, will be, Solvent.
3.16 Accuracy of Information. All information furnished by
the Company to the Bank is true, correct and complete in all material respects
as of the date furnished and does not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make such
information not misleading.
4. Conditions for Borrowing. The Bank's obligation to make any
Loan is subject to the satisfaction, on or before the following Borrowing
Dates, of the following conditions:
4.1 On or Before the Closing Date. The Bank shall have
received the following, all in form, detail and content satisfactory to the
Bank:
(a) Note. The Note, duly executed by the Company.
(b) Company Charter Documents.
(i) a copy of the Articles of Incorporation
of the Company, certified by the Company's Secretary;
(ii) a certificate of status with respect to
the Company, issued as of a recent date by theWisconsin Department of Financial
Institutions; and
(iii) copies, certified by the Secretary of the
Company to be true and correct and in full force and effect on the Closing Date,
of [A] the By-Laws of the Company; [B] resolutions of the Board of Directors of
the Company authorizing the issuance, execution and delivery of the Loan
Documents to which the Company is a party; and [C] a statement containing the
names and titles of the officer or officers of the Company authorized to sign
such Loan Documents, together with true signatures of such Persons.
(c) Personal Property Searches. The Bank shall
have made searches of the appropriate public offices and satisfied itself that
no Lien is of record affecting the Company or its properties except for
Permitted Liens.
(d) No Default Certificate. A certificate signed
by a senior officer of the Company to the effect that the representations and
warranties contained in section 3 hereof and in the other Loan Documents are
true and correct on and as of the Closing Date and no Default or Event of
Default exists on the Closing Date.
(e) Loan Commitment Fee. A loan commitment fee of
$15,000 which fee shall be deducted from the Company's depository account at
the Bank.
(f) Proceedings Satisfactory. Such other documents
as the Bank may reasonably request; and all proceedings taken in connection with
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and all instruments,
authorizations and other documents applicable thereto, shall be satisfactory
to the Bank.
4.2 On or Before Each Subsequent Borrowing Date:
(a) Borrowing Procedure. The Company shall have
complied with the borrowing procedure specified in section 2.2.
(b) Representations and Warranties True and
Correct. The representations and warranties contained in section 3 hereof and
in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct on and as of the relevant
Borrowing Date except (i) that the representations and warranties contained in
section 3.3 shall apply to the most recent financial statements delivered
pursuant to section 5.1 and (ii) for changes permitted by this Agreement.
(c) No Default. There shall exist on that Borrowing
Date no Default or Event of Default.
(d) Financial Covenant Breach. If an unwaived
violation of section 6.10, 6.11, 6.12, 6.13 or 6.14 exists, the Company shall
have received the Bank's consent for an advance of loan proceeds hereunder,
provided that the Bank shall be deemed to have consented if the Bank actually
funds the Company's requested advance.
(e) Proceedings and Documentation. The Bank shall
have received such instruments and other documents as it may reasonably request
in connection with the making of such Loan, and all such instruments and
documents shall be in form and content satisfactory to the Bank.
5. Affirmative Covenants. The Company covenants that it will,
until the Bank's commitment to extend credit hereunder and all Permitted Swap
Agreements have terminated or expired and the Note, and all fees and expenses
payable hereunder, have been paid in full:
5.1 Financial Reporting.
(a) Annual Financial Statements. Make available to
the Bank within 105 days after the end of each fiscal year a balance sheet of
the Company as of the close of such fiscal year and related statements of
income, retained earnings and cash flows for such year, setting forth in each
case in comparative form corresponding figures from the preceding annual
audit, all in reasonable detail and satisfactory in scope to the Bank, prepared
by a firm of independent certified public accountants selected by the Company
and satisfactory to the Bank (KPMG, the Company's accountants, are agreed to
be satisfactory to the Bank). Such annual statements shall be accompanied by
the unqualified opinion of such accountants to the effect that such audited
financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP and fairly present
the financial condition and results from operations of the Company as of such
date and for such fiscal year. All such financial statements, and the
financial statements described in section 5.2, shall be furnished in
consolidated form for the Company and all Consolidated Subsidiaries which it
may at the time have.
(b) Interim Financial Statements. Make available
to the Bank within 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter of each fiscal
year a balance sheet of the Company as of the end of each such period and
related statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows for the period
from the beginning of the fiscal year through the end of such fiscal quarter,
prepared in the manner set forth in section 5.1(a) hereof for the annual
statements, certified, subject to audit and normal year-end adjustments, by
an authorized financial officer of the Company.
(c) Financial Covenant Compliance Certificate. If
any amount is outstanding at the end of any fiscal quarter, furnish to the Bank
within 50 days after the end of such fiscal quarter a Financial Covenant
Compliance Certificate, duly executed by an authorized financial officer of the
Company.
(d) Filings. Make available to the Bank one copy of
each financial statement, report, notice, or proxy statement sent by the Company
to the holders of Equity Interests of the Company generally and of each regular
or periodic report, registration statement or prospectus filed by the Company
with any securities exchange or the Securities and Exchange Commission or any
successor agency, and of any order issued by any Governmental Authority in any
proceeding to which the Company is a party
(e) Other Financial Information. Promptly furnish
to the Bank such other financial information as the Bank may from time to time
reasonably request.
5.2 Books and Records; Inspections. Keep and cause each
Subsidiary to keep proper, complete and accurate books of record and account
and, at the Bank's sole expense, permit any representative of the Bank to visit
and inspect any of the properties and examine and copy any of the books and
records of the Company or any Subsidiary at any reasonable time and as often
as may reasonably be desired.
5.3 Insurance. Maintain and cause each Subsidiary to
maintain insurance coverage as may be required by law but in any event not
less than insurance coverage, in the forms, amounts and with companies, which
would be carried by prudent management in connection with similar properties
and businesses. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company will and will
cause each Subsidiary to (a) keep all its physical property insured against
fire and extended coverage risks in amounts at least equal to, and with
deductibles no greater than, those generally maintained by businesses engaged
in similar activities in similar geographic areas; (b) maintain all such
worker's compensation and similar insurance as may be required by law; and
(c) maintain, in amounts and with deductibles at least equal to those
generally maintained by businesses engaged in similar activities in similar
geographic areas, general public liability insurance against claims for
bodily injury, death or property damage occurring on, in or about the
properties of the Company or such Subsidiary, business interruption insurance
and product liability insurance. In addition, the Company shall maintain
professional liability errors and omissions insurance on all appropriate
personnel of the Company in an amount not less than $1,000,000.
5.4 Condition of Property. Keep and cause each Subsidiary
to keep its properties (whether owned or leased) in good condition, repair and
working order, except where the failure to so comply would not have a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
5.5 Payment of Taxes. Pay and discharge, and cause each
Subsidiary to pay and discharge, all lawful taxes, assessments and governmental
charges upon it or against its properties prior to the date on which penalties
are attached thereto, unless and to the extent only that the same shall be
contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings by the Company or the
appropriate Subsidiary and appropriate reserves with respect thereto are
established and maintained.
5.6 Compliance with Law. Do and, except as permitted under
section 6.5, cause each Subsidiary to do all things necessary to (a) maintain
its corporate existence in its state of incorporation and obtain and maintain
its qualification to transact business as a foreign corporation in any other
state where the ownership of property or the conduct of business make
qualification necessary and where the failure to so qualify would have a
Material Adverse Effect, (b) preserve and keep in full force and effect its
rights and franchises necessary to continue its business, except where the
failure to comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company and
its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and (c) comply with all Requirements of Law,
writs, judgments, injunctions, decrees and awards to which it may be subject
including all applicable Environmental Laws, except those being contested in
good faith and involving no possibility of criminal liability and except where
the failure to comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company
and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
5.7 Compliance with ERISA. Except where the failure to
comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole, the Company shall, and shall cause each of its
ERISA Affiliates to: (a) maintain each Plan in compliance in all material
respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other federal
or state law; (b) cause each Plan which is qualified under Section 401(a) of
the Code to maintain such qualification; and (c) make all required
contributions to any Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code.
5.8 Compliance with Other Loan Documents. Timely comply
with all of its obligations under the other Loan Documents subject to
applicable grace and cure periods.
5.9 Notices. Promptly, and in any event within 3 Business
Days after the Company has become aware of the applicable event, notify the
Bank in writing of:
(a) any Default or Event of Default;
(b) any notice given, or any action taken with
respect to a claimed default, by any holder of any other Indebtedness issued
or assumed by the Company or any Subsidiary, or the lessor under any lease as
to which the Company or any Subsidiary is the lessee or under any agreement
under which any such Indebtedness was issued or secured;
(c) any correspondence, notice, pleading, citation,
indictment, complaint, order, decree or other document received by the Company
from any Person asserting or alleging a circumstance or condition which
requires or may require a financial contribution by the Company or a cleanup,
removal, remedial action or other response by or on the part of the Company or
any Subsidiary under Environmental Laws or which seeks damages or civil,
criminal or punitive penalties from the Company or any Subsidiary for an
alleged violation of Environmental Laws and which, in any such circumstance,
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(d) the commencement or non-frivolous threat of,
or any material development in, any action, suit, arbitration or other
proceeding affecting the Company or any Subsidiary which, if adversely
determined, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(e) a Reportable Event has occurred with respect
to any Plan; and
(f) any condition or event which would make any
warranty contained in section 3 inaccurate.
Each notice under this section shall be accompanied
by a written statement by an officer of the Company setting forth details of
the occurrence referred to therein, stating what action the Company or any
affected Subsidiary proposes to take with respect thereto and at what time and
accompanied by all documents and correspondences from and to third parties
relating to the occurrence referred to therein.
5.10 Future Collateral. In the event the Company's Net
Income for any fiscal year of the Company is less than $0 or upon the occurrence
of an Event of Default under section 7.1(c)(iii), the Company shall, promptly
after request therefor from the Bank, execute and deliver to the Bank all
security agreements, mortgages, assignments, pledge agreements and any other
agreements, documents and instruments required by the Bank, all in form and
substance satisfactory to the Bank, to grant to the Bank a lien in substantially
all of the real and personal property of the Company and any lease related
thereto, together with any appraisals, title insurance policies, surveys and
other due diligence materials reasonably requested by the Bank. The Company
specifically acknowledges and agrees that the failure to provide the foregoing
agreements and documents in a timely manner shall constitute an Event of
Default hereunder.
5.11 Depository Relationship. Maintain all of the Company's
primary deposit accounts, except for accounts maintained under section 401 of
the Code, investment accounts held by third parties, escrow accounts or accounts
maintained by branch offices which are located outside Milwaukee County,
Wisconsin, with the Bank, its business partners or its designees.
6. Negative Covenants. The Company covenants that, without the
prior written consent of the Bank, it will not, and will not permit any
Subsidiary to, until the Bank's commitment to extend credit hereunder and all
Permitted Swap Agreements have terminated or expired and the Note, and all fees
and expenses payable hereunder, have been paid in full:
6.1 Restricted Payments. While any amount is outstanding
under the Note, make any Restricted Payments, except that so long as no Default
or Event of Default then exists or would be created by the payment thereof and
the Company is in compliance with the financial covenants contained herein
before and after giving effect to such payment, the Company may make Restricted
Payments comprised of (a) dividends on the Company's Equity Interests and (b)
purchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of the Company's Equity Interests
in an aggreate amount not to exceed $10,000,000 during the term of this
Agreement.
6.2 Indebtedness. Create, incur, assume or permit to
exist any Indebtedness except (a) Indebtedness owed to the Bank or to an
Affiliate of the Bank; (b) Indebtedness secured by Permitted Liens; (c)
Subordinated Debt; and (d) Indebtedness permitted under section 6.6.
6.3 Contingent Obligations. Create, incur, assume or
suffer to exist any Contingent Obligations except (a) endorsements for
collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business; (b) obligations under
Permitted Swap Agreements; (c) Contingent Obligations existing as of the Closing
Date and listed in Schedule 6.3; and (d) Contingent Obligations (together with
the Contingent Obligations described in clause (c) above) at any time $3,000,000
in the aggregate.
6.4 Liens. Create, assume or permit to exist any Lien upon
any of its property or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except
Permitted Liens and except for certain tax Liens not to exceed $250,000 in the
aggregate at any time outstanding.
6.5 Mergers. Consolidate or merge with or into any other
Person, except that (i) any Subsidiary of the Company may merge into or with
any Person other than the Company and (ii) the Company may merge with a
Subsidiary or any other Person provided that the Company is the surviving
entity in any such merger or consolidation and that the Bank's position is
not materially impaired as a result thereof.
6.6 Investments, Advances and Acquisitions. Make any
loans, advances or extensions of credit to, or any investments in, any Person,
or acquire any other business or partnership or joint venture interest, except
(a) investments made in accordance with the Investment Policy adopted by the
Executive Committee of the Company on October 17, 2003, a copy of which is
attached hereto as Exhibit C;(b) extensions of credit to customers in the
ordinary course of business; (c) existing investments of the Company in and
new or existing advances to wholly owned Subsidiaries of the Company and
advances by any Subsidiary to the Company or to another Subsidiary; (d)
investments, loans and advances (including relocation allowances) not to
exceed $200,000 to any Person; (e) loans and advances to employees and agents
in the ordinary course of business for travel and entertainment expenses and
similar items; (f) deposits in deposit accounts at the Bank; (g) any
acquisition for which the Company utilizes related borrowings under the Note
of less than $3,000,000 in connection with the consummation thereof; (h)
subject to subsection (g) above, acquisitions consummated by a merger or
consolidation permitted under section 6.5 hereof; and (i) other acquisitions,
investments, loans and advances consented to by the Bank, which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld.
6.7 Lines of Business. Engage in any business other than
those in which it is now engaged and any business directly related thereto.
6.8 Disposition of Assets. Sell, lease, sell and lease
back, transfer or otherwise dispose of substantially all of the Company's assets
in a single transaction or series of related transactions.
6.9. [RESERVED].
6.10 Minimum Net Income. Permit Net Income for the Company
and its Consolidated Subsidiaries to be less than $2,000,000 as of the end of
any fiscal quarter of the Company, for the four fiscal-quarter period ending on
the date of determination.
6.11 Tangible Net Worth. Permit Tangible Net Worth of the
Company at any time during the following periods to be less than the following
amounts:
Period Amount
-------------------- -----------
December 31, 2003
to December 30,2004 $26,000,000
December 31, 2004
to December 30,2005 $28,000,000
December 31, 2005
to the Maturity Date $30,000,000
6.12 Current Ratio. Permit the Current Ratio of the Company
to be less than 2.00 to 1.00 at any time.
6.13 Total Liabilities to Tangible Net Worth Ratio. Permit
the Company's ratio of Total Liabilities to Tangible Net Worth to be greater
than 1.00 to 1.00 at any time.
6.14 Interest Coverage Ratio. Permit the Interest Coverage
Ratio of the Company to be less than 4.00 to1.00 at any time.
6.15 [RESERVED].
6.16 Capital Expenditures. While any amount is outstanding
under the Note, make or commit to make, directly or indirectly, any Capital
Expenditure if, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate amount of all
Capital Expenditures by the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries would
exceed $2,000,000 during the Company's 2003 or 2004 fiscal years, $2,500,000
during the Company's 2005 fiscal year or $3,000,000 during the Company's 2006
fiscal year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the limitations set forth herein
shall not apply to an acquisition of substantially all of the assets of another
Person's business by merger, purchase of Equity Interests or asset acquisition.
6.17 Transactions with Affiliates. Except for transactions
with any Subsidiary, enter into or be a party to any transaction with any of
its Affiliates except as otherwise provided herein or in the ordinary course of
business and upon fair and reasonable terms which are no less favorable than a
comparable arm's length transaction with an entity which is not an Affiliate of
the Company.
6.18 Change of Name, Location or Corporate Status. Change
the Company's name, the location of its principal business office, the
jurisdiction of its organization or corporate status, without at least 30 days
prior written notice to the Bank.
7. Event of Default; Remedies.
7.1 Events of Default. The occurrence of any of the
following shall constitute an Event of Default:
(a) Failure to Pay Note. The Company fails to pay
(i) principal on the Note when the same becomes due and payable, whether at a
stated payment date, or a date fixed by the Company for prepayment or by
acceleration and such failure continues uncured for a period of five days or
(ii) interest on the Note, or any fee or other amount payable hereunder, when
the same becomes payable and such failure to timely pay interest, such fee or
other amount continues uncured for a period of five days; or
(b) Falsity of Representations and Warranties. Any
representation or warranty made in any Loan Document is false in any material
respect on the date as of which made or as of which the same is to be effective;
or
(c) Breach of Covenants. The Company fails to
comply with any term, covenant or agreement contained in (i) sections 5.1(a),
5.1(b), 5.1(c), 5.2, 5.3, 5.5, 5.6(a), 5.7, 5.8, 5.9 or 5.10, or any section of
Article 6 other than sections 6.10, 6.11, 6.12, 6.13 or 6.14 hereof, and such
failure continues for a period of 10 days, (ii) any other section of Article 5
hereof and such failure continues for a period of 20 days after the earlier of
(x) the Company should have known of such failure or (y) the date upon which
written notice thereof is given to the Company by the Bank, or (iii) section
6.10, 6.11, 6.12, 6.13 or 6.14 for two consecutive fiscal quarters ; or
(d) Breach of Other Provisions. The Company fails
to comply with any other agreement contained herein and such default continues
for a period of 30 days after written notice to the Company from the Bank; or
(e) Default Under Other Agreements. The Company
(i) fails to pay when due any other Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation
issued or assumed by the Company or (ii) fails to comply with the terms of any
agreement executed in connection with such Indebtedness or Contingent
Obligation and such default continues beyond any applicable cure period if the
effect of such failure is (x) to cause, or permit the holder or holders of such
Indebtedness or the beneficiary or beneficiaries of such Indebtedness (or a
trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders or beneficiary or
beneficiaries) to cause, such Indebtedness to be declared to be due and payable
prior to its stated maturity, or (y) to cause such Contingent Obligation to
become payable or cash collateral in respect thereof to be demanded; or
(f) Entry of Final Judgments. A final judgment,
decree or arbitration award is entered against the Company which (i) would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) together with
all unsatisfied final judgments, decrees and awards entered against the Company,
exceeds the sum of $500,000, and such judgment, decree or award shall remain
unsatisfied or unstayed pending appeal for a period of 60 days after the entry
thereof; or
(g) ERISA Liability. Any event in relation to any
Plan which the Bank determines in good faith could result in any of the
occurrences set forth in section 3.11 above; or
(h) Default Under Other Loan Documents. An "Event
of Default" (as defined therein) including a "Termination Event" or other
default under any Swap Contract, shall occur under any other Loan Document or
the party to any other Loan Document fails to timely comply with any term,
covenant or agreement contained therein following applicable notice and cure
periods; or
(i) Change of Control. (i) The acquisition by any
"person" or "group" (as such terms are used in sections 13(d) or 14(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) at any time of beneficial
ownership of 51% or more of the outstanding Equity Interests of the Company
on a fully-diluted basis, or (ii) the failure of the individuals who are
members of the board of directors (or similar governing body) of the Company
as of the Closing Date (together with any new or replacement directors whose
initial nomination for election was approved by a majority of the directors
who were either directors on the Closing Date or previously so approved) to
constitute a majority of the board of directors (or similar governing body)
of the Company.
(j) Insolvency, Failure to Pay Debts or Appointment
of Receiver, Etc. The Company becomes insolvent or the subject of state
insolvency proceedings, fails generally to pay its debts as they become due or
makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or voluntarily ceases to
conduct business in the ordinary course; or a receiver, trustee, custodian or
other similar official is appointed for, or takes possession of any substantial
part of the property of, the Company; or
(k) Subject of United States Bankruptcy Proceedings.
The taking of action by the Company to authorize such organization to become the
subject of proceedings under the United States Bankruptcy Code; or the execution
by the Company of a petition to become a debtor under the United States
Bankruptcy Code; or the filing of an involuntary petition against the Company
under the United States Bankruptcy Code which remains undismissed for a period
of 60 days; or the entry of an order for relief under the United States
Bankruptcy Code against the Company.
7.2 Remedies. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default,
the obligation of the Bank to make Loans shall terminate and (a) as to an Event
of Default described in sections 7.1(a) through 7.1(j), inclusive, the Bank may,
at its option and without notice, declare the Note to be, and the Note shall
thereupon become, immediately due and payable, together with accrued interest
thereon, and (b) as to an Event of Default described in section 7.1(k), the Note
shall, without action on the part of the Bank or any notice or demand, become
automatically due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon.
Presentment, demand, protest and notice of acceleration, nonpayment and dishonor
are hereby expressly waived.
8. Miscellaneous.
8.1 Survival of Representations and Warranties. The
representations and warranties contained in section 3 hereof and in the other
Loan Documents shall survive closing and execution and delivery of the Note.
8.2 Indemnification. Except as incurred as a result of the
Bank's willful misconduct, the Company agrees to defend, indemnify and hold
harmless the Bank, its directors, officers, employees and agents from and
against any and all loss, cost, expense or liability (including reasonable
attorneys' fees) incurred in connection with any and all claims or proceedings
(whether brought by a private party or Governmental Authority) as a result of,
or arising out of or relating to:
(a) bodily injury, property damage, abatement or
remediation, environmental damage or impairment or any other injury or damage
resulting from or relating to any Hazardous Materials located on or migrating
into, from or through property previously, now or hereafter owned or occupied
by the Company, which the Bank may incur due to the making of the Loans or
otherwise;
(b) any transaction financed or to be financed, in
whole or in part, directly or indirectly, with the proceeds of any Loan; or
(c) the entering into, performance of and exercise
of its rights under any Loan Document by the Bank.
This indemnity will survive foreclosure of any security
interest or mortgage or conveyance in lieu of foreclosure and the repayment of
the Note.
8.3 Expenses. The Company agrees, whether or not the
transaction hereby contemplated shall be consummated, to pay on demand (a) all
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Bank in connection with the negotiation,
execution, administration, amendment or enforcement of any Loan Document
including the reasonable fees and expenses of the Bank's counsel, provided that
the Company's obligation for such fees and expenses shall not exceed $6,000, (b)
any taxes (including any interest and penalties relating thereto) payable by the
Bank (other than taxes based upon the Bank's net income) on or with respect to
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the Company hereby agreeing to
indemnify the Bank with respect thereto) and (c) all out-of-pocket expenses,
including the reasonable fees and expenses of the Bank's counsel, incurred by
the Bank in connection with any litigation, proceeding or dispute in any way
related to the Bank's relationship with the Company, whether arising hereunder
or otherwise. The obligations of the Company under this section will survive
payment of the Note.
8.4 Notices. Except as otherwise provided in section 2.2,
all notices provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be (a) delivered;
(b) sent by express or first class mail; or (c) sent by facsimile transmission
and confirmed in writing provided to the recipient in a manner described in (a)
or (b), and addressed as follows, or to such other address with respect to
either party as such party shall notify the other in writing; such notices
shall be deemed given when delivered, mailed or so transmitted:
If to the Bank:
Lincoln State Bank
1000 North Water Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Attn: Joseph M. Murry, Vice President
Facsimile No. 414-291-5458
If to the Company:
Merge Technologies Incorporated
1126 South 70th Street
West Allis, WI 53214
Attn: President
Facsimile No. 414-977-4202
8.5 Setoff. As security for payment of the Obligations, the
Company grants to the Bank a security interest in and lien on any credit
balance or other money now or hereafter owed the Company by the Bank. In
addition, the Company agrees that the Bank may, at any time after the
occurrence of an Event of Default, without prior notice, set off against any
such credit balance or other money all or any part of the Obligations,
irrespective of whether the Bank shall have made demand under this Agreement or
any Loan Document and although such Obligations may be contingent or unmatured.
8.6 Participations. The Company agrees that the Bank may,
at its option, sell to another financial institution or institutions (each a
"Participant") interests in the Note and, in connection with each such sale,
and thereafter, disclose to the Participant or prospective Participant of each
such interest financial and other information concerning the Company. The
Company agrees that if any portion of the Obligations are due and unpaid, or
shall have been declared or shall have become due and payable upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default, each such Participant shall be deemed to
have, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the right of setoff in
respect of its participating interest to the same extent as if the amount of
its participating interest were owed directly to it. The Company further
agrees that each such Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of section
2.8 with respect to its participation in the Bank's obligation to make Loans;
provided that no such Participant shall be entitled to receive any greater
amount pursuant to that section than the Bank would have been entitled to
receive if no such sale had occurred. Each Participant agrees to be bound by
the provisions of section 8.16 hereof.
8.7 Titles. The titles of sections in this Agreement are
for convenience only and do not limit or construe the meaning of any section.
8.8 Severability. In case any provision or obligation
under this Agreement or the Note shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable
in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the
remaining provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in
any other jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
8.9 Parties Bound; Waiver. The provisions of this
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon any successor of
any of the parties hereto; provided that the Company's rights under this
Agreement are not assignable. No delay on the part of the Bank in exercising
any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, and
no single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder shall
preclude other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right,
power or privilege. The rights provided for in this Agreement and the other
Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other rights,
powers, privileges or remedies provided by law or in equity, or under any
other instrument, documents or agreement now existing or hereafter arising.
8.10 Governing Law. This Agreement is being delivered in and
shall be deemed to be a contract governed by the laws of the State of Wisconsin
and shall be interpreted and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder
enforced in accordance with the internal laws of that state without regard to
the principles of conflicts of laws.
8.11 Submission to Jurisdiction; Service of Process. ALL
JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS IN ANY MANNER RELATING TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT
OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, OR ANY OBLIGATIONS THEREUNDER, MAY BE BROUGHT IN
ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN
LOCATED IN MILWAUKEE COUNTY. BY EXECUTING AND DELIVERING THIS AGREEMENT, THE
COMPANY IRREVOCABLY:
(a) ACCEPTS GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY THE
NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF SUCH COURTS;
(b) WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS;
(c) AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH
PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN
RECEIPT REQUESTED, TO THE COMPANY AT ITS ADDRESS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 8.4;
(d) AGREES THAT SERVICE AS PROVIDED IN CLAUSE (c)
ABOVE IS SUFFICIENT TO CONFER PERSONAL JURISDICTION OVER THE COMPANY IN ANY
SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND OTHERWISE CONSTITUTES EFFECTIVE AND
BINDING SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT; AND
(e) AGREES THAT THE BANK RETAINS THE RIGHT TO SERVE
PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE
COMPANY IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.
8.12 Waiver of Trial by Jury. THE COMPANY AND THE BANK HEREBY
AGREE TO WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF
ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT. The scope of this waiver is
intended to be all encompassing of any and all disputes that may be filed in any
court and that relate to the subject matter of this transaction, including
contract claims, tort claims, breach of duty claims and all other common law and
statutory claims. The Company and the Bank each acknowledge that this waiver
is a material inducement for the Company and the Bank to enter into a business
relationship, that the Company and the Bank have already relied on this waiver
in entering into this Agreement and that each will continue to rely on this
waiver in their related future dealings. The Company and the Bank further
warrant and represent that each has reviewed this waiver with its legal counsel,
and that each knowingly and voluntarily waives its jury trial rights following
consultation with legal counsel. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT
MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING (OTHER THAN BY A MUTUAL WRITTEN
WAIVER SPECIFICALLY REFERRING TO THIS SECTION 8.12 AND EXECUTED BY EACH OF THE
PARTIES HERETO), AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS,
RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT. In the event of
litigation, this Agreement may be filed as a written consent to a trial by the
court.
8.13 Limitation of Liability. THE COMPANY AND THE BANK
HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHT EITHER OF THEM MAY HAVE TO CLAIM OR RECOVER FROM THE
OTHER PARTY ANY SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES.
8.14 Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures. This Agreement may
be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in
separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be
deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one
and the same instrument; signatures pages may be detached from multiple separate
counterparts and attached to a single counterpart so that all signature pages
are physically attached to the same document. Any such counterpart may be
delivered by facsimile transmission and any party's signature appearing on such
facsimile transmission shall be binding upon such party as if such party
delivered an, original, manually executed counterpart hereof.
8.15 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other Loan
Documents shall constitute the entire agreement of the parties pertaining to
the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements
and understandings of the parties in connection therewith. The parties
specifically acknowledge that this Agreement replaces and supersedes that
certain Loan Agreement dated December 30, 2002 between the Company and the Bank
(the "Existing Loan Agreement") and that upon execution and delivery of this
Agreement and satisfaction of the conditions set forth in section 4 hereof (or
the waiver thereof by the Bank), the Existing Loan Agreement shall automatically
terminate.
8.16 Confidentiality. The Bank and each Participant agrees
to take and to cause its Affiliates to take normal and reasonable precautions
and exercise due care to maintain the confidentiality of all non-public
information and all information identified as "confidential" or "secret" by the
Company and provided to it by the Company or any Subsidiary, and neither the
Bank, any Participant nor any of their Affiliates shall use any such information
other than in connection with or in enforcement of this Agreement and the other
Loan Documents or in connection with other business now or hereafter existing or
contemplated with the Company or any Subsidiary; except to the extent such
information (a) was or becomes generally available to the public other than as
a result of disclosure by the Bank or any Participant, or (b) was or becomes
available on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Company,
provided that such source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement with the
Company known to the Bank or such Participant or any applicable Requirement of
Law; provided, however, that the Bank or any Participant may disclose such
information (i) at the request or pursuant to any requirement of any
Governmental Authority to which the Bank or such Participant is subject or in
connection with an examination of such Bank or such Participant by any such
authority; (ii) pursuant to subpoena or other court process; (iii) when
required to do so in accordance with the provisions of any applicable
Requirement of Law; (iv) to the extent reasonably required in connection with
any litigation or proceeding to which the Bank, any Participant or their
Affiliates may be party; (v) to the extent reasonably required in connection
with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or under any other Loan Document;
(vi) to the Bank's or such Participant's independent auditors and other
professional advisors; (vii) to any assignee, actual or potential, provided
that such Person agrees in writing to keep such information confidential to
the same extent required of the Bank and any Participant hereunder; and
(viii) to their Affiliates. The Bank and each Participant acknowledge that
the Equity Interests of the Company are publicly-traded and the Bank and each
Participant agrees that it will not trade in the Company's Equity Interests
on the basis of non-public, confidential information in violation of
applicable securities laws.
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
BY /s/ Scott T. Veech
----------------------------
ITS CFO, Treasurer and Secretary
LINCOLN STATE BANK
BY /s/ Joseph M. Murry
----------------------------
ITS Vice President
BY /s/ Conrad C. Kaminski
----------------------------
ITS President
EXHIBIT A
-----------
NOTE
$15,000,000 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
November 21, 2003
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, on or before the Maturity Date (as defined in the
Credit Agreement referred to below), the undersigned, MERGE TECHNOLOGIES
INCORPORATED, a Wisconsin corporation, promises to pay to the order of LINCOLN
STATE BANK (the "Bank") the principal sum of Fifteen Million Dollars
($15,000,000), or such lesser amount as is shown to be outstanding according to
the records of the Bank, together with interest on the principal balance
outstanding from time to time, at such rates and payable at such times as set
forth in the Credit Agreement.
Payments of both principal and interest are to be made in immediately
available funds in lawful currency of the United States of America at the office
of the Bank, 1000 North Water Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, or such other
place as the holder hereof shall designate to the undersigned in writing.
This Note is the Note issued pursuant to a Credit Agreement dated as of
November 21, 2003 between the undersigned and the Bank, to which Agreement
reference is made for rights and obligations as to prepayment and acceleration
of maturity.
The undersigned agrees to pay all costs of collection, including
reasonable attorneys' fees, in the event the Bank is the prevailing party in
such proceedings.
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
BY
-----------------------------
Its
EXHIBIT B
-----------
FINANCIAL COVENANT COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
Lincoln State Bank (the "Bank")
1000 North Water Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
Attn: Joseph M. Murry
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned, Merge Technologies Incorporated (the "Company"), refers
to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of November 21, 2003 by and between
the Company and the Bank (as extended, renewed, amended or restated from time
to time, the "Credit Agreement"). Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized
terms used herein have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Credit
Agreement and section references herein are to the sections of the Credit
Agreement.
This Financial Covenant Compliance Certificate is provided pursuant to
section 5.1(c) of the Credit Agreement. This Certificate accompanies [the
interim financial statements of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
as of _______________, ____] [the audited financial statements of the Company
and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending ________________,
____] (the "Financial Statement Date"). All entries in this Worksheet are as
of, or for the period ending on, the Financial Statement Date.
The undersigned hereby certifies that:
1. (He) (She) is [the chief financial officer][a senior financial
representative] of the Company.
2. The accompanying financial statements fairly present [, subject
to normal year-end adjustments,] the financial condition of the Company and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries as of the Financial Statement Date.
3. There exists no Default or Event of Default [except (specify
nature thereof, period of existence thereof and what action the Company proposes
to take with respect thereto)].
4. The information set forth in paragraph 5 below is, to the best
of the undersigned's knowledge and belief, true and accurate as of the
Financial Statement Date. All calculations have been made in accordance with
the appropriate provisions of the Credit Agreement.
5. Financial Covenants:
(a) Minimum Net Income:
(Section 6.10; minimum of $2,000,000 TTM)
Revenue* $____________
Expenses* ($___________)
Net Income* $___________
(b) Tangible Net Worth*:
(Section 6.11; minimum of $____________)
Total Assets $__________
Intangible Assets (excluding
purchase & development software
and intangibles associated with
customer contracts) (___________)
Total Liabilities* (___________)
Other Adjustments (___________)
(specify)
Tangible Net Worth* $___________
(c) Current Ratio*:
(Section 6.12; not less than 2.00 to 1.00)
Current Assets $____________
Current Liabilities (excluding Note
balance, deferred revenue and
billings in excess of revenues/
contracts in process) $____________
RATIO _____ to 1.00
(d) Total Liabilities* to Tangible Net Worth Ratio*:
(Section 6.13; not to exceed 1.00 to 1.00)
Total Liabilities* $_____________
Tangible Net Worth
((c) above) $_____________
RATIO _____ to 1.00
(e) Interest Coverage Ratio*:
(Section 6.14; not less than 4.00 to 1.00)
EBITDA*:
Net Income* $________
Interest Expense $________
Income Tax Expense $________
Depr., Amort. $________
EBITDA* $_________
Interest Expense $_________
RATIO _____ to 1.00
(f) Current Fiscal Year Capital
Expenditures* $___________
(Section 6.16; limited to $___________)
6. The foregoing (denoted by an asterik *) were calculated in
accordance with the applicable definitions in the Credit Agreement and are
true and correct.
Dated:______________, _____.
MERGE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
BY _______________________________
Title: _______________________________
EXHIBIT C
-----------
Merge Technologies Incorporated Investment Policy
Adopted 10/17/03
* Objectives
The investment portfolio is to be a source of funds for current and
future operations of the Company. The objectives of the portfolio are
to preserve principal value, meet the Company's liquidity needs and
earn a return that is consistent with these guidelines and market
conditions.
II. Eligible Investments
* U.S Treasury obligations
* U.S. Government Agency obligations
* Commercial paper, corporate notes and bonds including variable rate
demand notes and auction rate securities.
* Certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and time deposits issued
or guaranteed by any commercial bank which has combined capital and
surplus and undivided profits of not less than $1,000,000,000.
* Repurchase agreements fully collateralized with U.S. Treasury and
Government Agency securities.
* Money market mutual funds
* Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities.
III. Maturity Limits
* The average maturity of the portfolio may not exceed 12 months.
Marketable securities must mature within 24 months from date of acquisition
except asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities whose expected final maturity
must be 24 months or less. Time deposits, repurchase agreements and other
illiquid investments must mature within thirty days from date of acquisition.
Concentration Limits
No more than 20% of the portfolio may be invested in obligations of any
one issuer except:
Up to 100% of the portfolio may be invested in obligations of the U.S.
Treasury and money market funds.
Up to 33% of the portfolio may be invested in obligations of any one
U.S. Government Agency.
Up to 25% of the portfolio may be invested in repurchase agreements
entered into with any one counter-party. A maximum 25% of the portfolio
may be invested in any one industry except that a maximum 50% of the
portfolio may be invested in asset-backed commercial paper and a
maximum 50% of the portfolio may be invested in bank obligations.
V. Credit Quality
All issuers must have short-term ratings of A-2 by Standard & Poors or P-2 by
Moody's, or long-term ratings of BBB by Standard & Poors or Baa2 by Moody's
Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities must be rated AAA by Standard &
Poors or Aaa by Moody's.
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EXHIBIT 99.1
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CODE OF ETHICS
----------------
This Code of Ethics shall apply to the principal executive officer,
principal operations officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting
officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions to any of the
above (the "Senior Officers") of Merge Technologies Incorporated (the
"Company"). Senior Officers shall at all times include the Company's
President, Chief Financial Officer, and Controller, but may include officers
with other titles if they perform the functions described in the preceding
sentence. Senior Officers have an obligation to the Company, its stockholders
and the public investor community to maintain the highest standards of honest
and ethical conduct. In recognition of this obligation, the Senior Officers
have adopted the following standards of ethical conduct. Adherence to these
standards is integral to achieving the objectives of the Company and its
stockholders. None of the Senior Officers shall commit acts contrary to these
standards nor shall they condone the commission of such acts by advisors,
agents or others engaged by the Company.
General Standards and Compliance with Laws
- -------------------------------------------
The Senior Officers have a responsibility to:
* Maintain high standards of honest and ethical conduct.
* Act in good faith, responsibly and without misrepresenting material
facts or allowing their independent judgment to be compromised.
* Refrain from engaging in any activity that would prejudice their
ability to carry out their duties ethically.
* Refrain from engaging in or supporting any activity that would
discredit the Company.
* Comply with rules and regulations of federal, state and local
governments, and appropriate private and public regulatory agencies
or organizations.
Avoidance of Conflicts of Interest and Improper Influences
- -----------------------------------------------------------
* Avoid actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and
Company-related relationships. In particular, Senior Officers should
not participate in a personal business transaction with the Company
in which they will receive a significant profit or gain, unless the
transaction has been approved by a majority of the directors of the
Company not interested in the transaction. Senior Officers should
advise the Company's Audit Committee of any prospective or existing
potential conflict.
* Refuse any gift, favor, or hospitality that would influence or would
appear to influence their actions.
* In any dealings with a government official, supplier, or other person
or entity, the Senior Officers shall not request, accept, or offer to
give any significant thing of value, the purpose or result of which
could be to influence the bona fide business relations between the
Company and such persons or entities.
Professional Competence
- ------------------------
The Senior Officers have a responsibility to:
* Maintain an appropriate level of professional competence by continuing
development of their knowledge and skills.
* Perform their professional duties in accordance with relevant laws,
regulations, and technical standards.
* Prepare full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable financial
statements, reports and recommendations after appropriate analyses
of relevant and reliable information.
Confidentiality
- -----------------
The Senior Officers have a responsibility to protect the Company by:
* Refraining from disclosing to others confidential information acquired
in the course of their work except when authorized to do so.
* Refraining from using or appearing to use confidential information
acquired in the course of their work for unethical or illegal
advantage either personally or through third parties.
Integrity of Financial Statements and Accuracy of Filings
- ----------------------------------------------------------
The Senior Officers shall ensure that:
* No funds or assets of the Company shall be used for any purpose that
would be in violation of any applicable law or regulation.
* No contributions shall be made by or on behalf of the Company to any
political candidate, party, or campaign either within or without the
United States.
* No fund or asset of the Company shall be established or maintained
that is not reflected on the books and records of the Company.
* No false, artificial, or misleading entries in the books and records
of the Company shall be made.
* No transaction shall be effected and no payment shall be made by or
on behalf of the Company with the intention or understanding that the
transaction or payment is other than as described in the
documentation evidencing the transaction or supporting the payment.
* Full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure is made in
reports and other documents filed with or submitted to the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
Prohibition of Loans
- ---------------------
* No Senior Officer shall request or accept a loan or advance from the
Company which is prohibited by law.
Waiver and Compliance
- ----------------------
The Senior Officers shall be primarily responsible for the enforcement of the
policies set forth in this Code of Ethics. Should any information or knowledge
regarding violation of this Code of Ethics come to the attention of a Senior
Officer, the Senior Officer must promptly report the information to the Audit
Committee of the Company. The Company's Audit Committee shall assess
compliance with this Code of Ethics, report any violation of this Code of
Ethics to the Company's Board of Directors and recommend any appropriate
action. The Senior Officers will be required on an annual basis to certify
their compliance with this Code of Ethics.
Any request for a waiver of any provision of this Code of Ethics must be in
writing and addressed to the Chairman of the Audit Committee. Any waiver of
this Code of Ethics must be disclosed promptly on Form 8-K or by any other
means approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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EXHIBIT 99.2
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WHISTLEBLOWER POLICY
----------------------
Procedures for the Submission of Complaints or Concerns
Regarding Financial Statement or other Disclosures, Accounting,
Internal Accounting or Disclosure Controls, Auditing Matters or Violations
of the Merge Technologies Incorporated Code of Ethics
Section 301 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires the Audit
Committee of the Board of Directors of Merge Technologies Incorporated (the
"Company") to establish procedures for: (a) the receipt, retention, and
treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal
accounting controls or auditing matters; and (b) the submission by employees
of the Company and others, on a confidential and anonymous basis, of good faith
concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.
In accordance with Section 301, the Audit Committee has adopted the
following procedures:
1. The Company shall promptly forward to the Audit Committee any complaints
that it has received regarding financial statement disclosures,
accounting, internal accounting or disclosure controls or auditing
matters, disclosure violations or violations of our Code of Ethics.
2. Any employee of the Company may submit any good faith concerns regarding
financial statement or other disclosure, accounting, internal accounting
or disclosure controls, auditing matters or violations of the Company's
Code of Ethics in accordance with the following procedures:
(a) on a confidential and anonymous basis, by submitting such concerns
in writing and sending them in a sealed envelope to the Company's
outside general counsel, George S. Rosic, in an envelope labeled
with a legend such as: "'To be opened by the Audit Committee
only.' This envelope is being submitted pursuant to the
'whistleblower policy' adopted by the Audit Committee." Any such
envelopes received by the outside general counsel shall be
forwarded promptly and unopened to the Chairman of the Audit
Committee. If an employee would like to discuss any matter with
the Audit Committee, the employee should indicate this in the
submission and include a telephone number at which he or she
might be contacted if the Audit Committee deems it appropriate.
(b) on a non-anonymous or non-confidential basis, by reporting the
concerns immediately to the Company's outside general counsel
using the contact information specified below. The outside
general counsel shall keep a written record of all such reports
or inquiries and make monthly reports of the same to the Chairman
of the Audit Committee in any month in which an inquiry or complaint
is received. If the nature of an alleged violation of the Company's
Code of Ethics or an impropriety with regard to the Company's
financial statements or other disclosures, accounting, internal
or disclosure controls, or auditing matters, the allegation shall
immediately be relayed by the outside general counsel to the
Chairman of the Audit Committee, who shall immediately notify the
complainant that the complaint has been received and begin the
procedures outlined herein.
3. Following the receipt of any complaints submitted hereunder, the Audit
Committee will investigate each matter so reported and take corrective
and disciplinary actions, if appropriate, which may include, alone or
in combination, a warning or letter of reprimand, demotion, loss of
any merit or performance based bonus, stock option or other cash or
equity compensation, suspension without pay or termination of
employment.
4. The Audit Committee may enlist committee members, employees of the
Company and/or outside legal, accounting or other advisors, as
appropriate, to conduct any investigation of complaints regarding
financial statement disclosures, disclosure concerns or violations,
accounting, internal accounting controls, auditing matters or
violations of the Company's Code of Ethics. In conducting any
investigation, the Audit Committee shall use reasonable efforts to
protect the confidentiality and anonymity of the complainant.
5. The Company does not permit retaliation of any kind against employees
for complaints submitted hereunder that are made in good faith.
Additionally, no employee shall be adversely affected because the
employee refuses to carry out a directive which, in fact, constitutes
corporate fraud, or is a violation of state or federal law or the
Company's Code of Ethics.
6. The Audit Committee shall retain as a part of the records of the
Audit Committee any such complaints or concerns for a period of no
less than seven (7) years.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Audit Committee Chairperson: Outside General Counsel:
Dennis Brown George S. Rosic
APOGENT TECHNOLOGIES INC. 1603 Orrington
30 Penhallow Street Suite 800
Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801 Evanston, Illinois 60201
Telephone: (603) 433-6101 x401 Telephone: (847) 328-2375
Telefacsimile: (603) 334-9644 Telefacsimile: (847) 328-1928