Back to GetFilings.com



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004

OR

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

For the transition period from______to_______

Commission file number 0-12992

SYNTHETECH, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

OREGON 84-0845771
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

1290 Industrial Way
PO Box 646
Albany, Oregon 97321

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(541) 967-6575
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

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

Yes   X   No       

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

Yes        No   X  

Number of shares outstanding of the issuer's common stock as of August 2, 2004: 14,452,396

 

SYNTHETECH, INC

INDEX

Page
Part I. Financial Information
       
Item 1. Financial Statements
       
Balance Sheets 3
Statements of Operations 5
Statements of Cash Flows 6
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements 7
       
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
 Condition and Results of Operations 11
       
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market
 Risk 19
       
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 19
       
Part II. Other Information
       
Item 4. Submission of Matters to Vote of Security Holders 21
       
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 21
       
Signatures 22
 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

SYNTHETECH, INC.

Balance Sheets
(unaudited)

June 30,
2004

March 31,
2004

                 
Assets
                 
Current Assets:            
     Cash and cash equivalents     $ 4,027,000   $ 4,318,000  
     Accounts receivable, less allowance    
       for doubtful accounts of $15,000 for    
       both periods       1,769,000     1,282,000  
     Inventories       3,942,000     4,172,000  
     Prepaid expenses       257,000     421,000  


          Total Current Assets    9,995,000    10,193,000  
Property, plant and equipment, net     11,571,000    11,794,000  


          Total Assets   $ 21,566,000   $ 21,987,000  


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.











3

 

SYNTHETECH, INC.

Balance Sheets
(continued)
(unaudited)

June 30,
2004

March 31,
2004

                 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity            
                 
Current Liabilities:  
     Current portion of long term obligations   $ 24,000   $ 24,000  
     Accounts payable    584,000    559,000  
     Accrued compensation    148,000    178,000  
     Income taxes payable    180,000    180,000  
     Other accrued liabilities    25,000    35,000  


                 
          Total Current Liabilities     961,000    976,000  
                 
Long term obligations, net of current portion    46,000    52,000  
Other long term liabilities    60,000    52,000  


                 
          Total Liabilities    1,067,000    1,080,000  
                 
Shareholders' Equity:  
     Common stock, $.001 par value; authorized    
      100,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding,    
      14,452,000 and 14,339,000 shares    14,000    14,000  
     Paid-in capital    9,103,000    9,103,000  
     Deferred compensation    (23,000)  (27,000)
     Retained earnings    11,405,000    11,817,000  


                 
          Total Shareholders' Equity    20,499,000    20,907,000  


                 
          Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity   $ 21,566,000   $ 21,987,000  


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.











4

 

SYNTHETECH, INC.

Statements of Operations
(unaudited)

Three Months Ended June 30,       2004     2003  



                 
                 
Revenue   $ 2,741,000   $ 1,773,000  
Cost of revenue     2,471,000    2,201,000  


                 
Gross income (loss)     270,000    (428,000)
                 
Research and development     126,000    196,000  
Selling, general and administrative    563,000    481,000  


Total operating expense    689,000    677,000  


                 
Operating loss     (419,000)  (1,105,000)
                 
Interest income     9,000    12,000  
Interest expense    (2,000)  (2,000)


                 
Loss before income taxes     (412,000)  (1,095,000)
                 
Income taxes     --    --  


                 
Net loss   $ (412,000) $ (1,095,000)


                 
Net loss per common share:    
      Basic and diluted loss per share    $ (0.03) $ (0.08)


                 
Weighted average shares outstanding:   
      Basic and diluted    14,452,396    14,339,142  


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.





5

 

SYNTHETECH, INC.

Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)

Three Months Ended June 30,       2004     2003  



     
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:  
Net loss   $ (412,000) $ (1,095,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to  
  cash used in operating activities:  
    Depreciation expense    268,000    266,000  
    Amortization of deferred compensation    4,000    4,000  
     
    (Increase) decrease in assets:  
      Accounts receivable, net     (487,000)  (342,000)
      Inventories     230,000    (153,000)
      Prepaid expenses     164,000    188,000  
     
    Increase (decrease) in liabilities:   
      Accounts payable      25,000     (69,000)
      Accrued compensation     (30,000)  36,000  
      Other accrued liabilities     (10,000)  (16,000)
      Other long term liabilities     8,000    7,000  


        Cash used in operating activities     (240,000)  (1,174,000)


     
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:  
   Property, plant and equipment purchases    (45,000)  (185,000)


        Cash used in investing activities    (45,000)  (185,000)


     
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:  
  Principal payments under long term debt obligations    (6,000)  (5,000)


        Cash used in financing activities    (6,000)  (5,000)


     
Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents    (291,000)  (1,364,000)
     
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period    4,318,000    5,965,000  


     
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period   $ 4,027,000   $ 4,601,000  


     
Non-Cash financing Activities:  
  Forfeiture of stock options issued at below fair value    --   $ 17,000  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.



6

 

SYNTHETECH, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Information as of June 30, 2004 and for the three-months
ended June 30, 2004 and June 30, 2003 is unaudited)

NOTE A. GENERAL AND BUSINESS

Synthetech, Inc., an Oregon corporation, is a fine chemicals company specializing in organic synthesis, biocatalysis and chiral technologies. Synthetech’s products are used predominately by pharmaceutical companies to make a wide range of peptide-based drugs under development or on the market for the treatment of AIDS, cancer, and cardiovascular and other diseases.

The summary financial statements included herein have been prepared, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although Synthetech management believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. Synthetech suggests that these summary financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in Synthetech’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2004, as amended.

The interim period information included in this Form 10-Q reflects all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, that are, in the opinion of Synthetech’s management, necessary for a fair statement of the results of the respective interim periods. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for an entire year.

NOTE B. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME OR LOSS

Synthetech has no material components of comprehensive income or loss other than net income or loss. Accordingly, comprehensive loss was equal to net loss for all periods presented.











7

 

NOTE C. STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

Synthetech applies the intrinsic value-based method of accounting prescribed by Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations, in accounting for its fixed plan stock options. As such, compensation expense is recorded only if, on the date of grant, the current market price of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price. Resulting compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period.

If compensation expense had been determined based on the grant date fair value as computed under the Black-Scholes option pricing model for awards outstanding in the first quarter of fiscal 2005 and 2004 in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123, the Company’s net loss and net loss per share would have changed to the pro forma amounts indicated below:

Three Months
Ended June 30,

2004
2003
Net loss, as reported     $ (412,000) $ (1,095,000)
Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net  
loss    4,000    4,000  
     
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined   
under fair value based method for all awards      (40,000)  (33,000)


  
Pro forma net loss   $ (448,000) $ (1,124,000)


Net loss per share:  
  Basic and Diluted - as reported   $ (0.03) $ (0.08)


  Basic and Diluted - pro forma   $ (0.03) $ (0.08)


Using the Black-Scholes methodology, the total value of options granted during the first quarter of fiscal 2005 and 2004 was $238,000 and $116,000, respectively, which would be amortized to expense on a pro forma basis over the vesting period of the options.

In calculating pro forma compensation, the fair value of each stock option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions used for grants during the first quarter of fiscal 2005 and 2004:

  Three Months
Ended June 30,

  2004
2003
Expected dividend yield   None        None       
Risk-free interest rate  3.91% 3.50%
Expected volatility  58% 50%
Expected life (in years)  7.0      7.0     



8

 

NOTE D. EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

Basic earnings (loss) per share (EPS) are computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share are computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock and common stock equivalents outstanding during the period, calculated using the treasury stock method as defined in SFAS No. 128. The following is a reconciliation of the shares used to calculate basic and diluted loss per share:

  Three Months
Ended June 30,

  2004
2003
Weighted average shares      
    outstanding for Basic EPS 14,452,396   14,339,142  
     
Dilutive effect of common stock  
    options issuable under treasury 
    stock method  --   --  

 
 
     
Weighted average common and  
   common equivalent shares outstanding for Diluted EPS  14,452,396   14,339,142  

 
 

For purposes of computing diluted earnings per share, weighted average common share equivalents do not include stock options with an exercise price that exceeded the average fair market value of Synthetech’s common stock for the period, as the effect would be anti-dilutive. The number of anti-dilutive stock options outstanding were 1,240,650 and 1,211,600 as of June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

NOTE E. STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Supplemental cash flow disclosures:

Cash Paid
Three Months
Ended June 30,

2004
2003
Income taxes   $     1,000      $     1,000     
Interest  $     2,000      $     2,000     










9

 

NOTE F. INVENTORIES

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, determined on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis. The major components of inventories are as follows:

June 30,
2004

March 31,
2004

Finished products     $ 2,001,000   $ 2,012,000  
Work in process    824,000    913,000  
Raw materials    1,117,000    1,247,000  


    $ 3,942,000   $ 4,172,000  


NOTE G. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:

June 30,
2004

March 31,
2004

Land     $ 241,000   $ 241,000  
Buildings    6,846,000    6,841,000  
Machinery and equipment    14,650,000    14,581,000  
Laboratory equipment    1,011,000    1,005,000  
Furniture and fixtures    389,000    380,000  
Vehicles    151,000    151,000  
Construction in progress    --    43,000  


     23,288,000    23,242,000  
Less:  
Accumulated depreciation    11,717,000    11,448,000  


    $ 11,571,000   $ 11,794,000  












10

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion of the results of Synthetech’s operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction with the accompanying financial statements and the notes thereto included within this report.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This Act provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements to encourage companies to provide prospective information about themselves so long as they identify these statements as forward-looking and provide meaningful cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ from the projected results. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding industry prospects and future results of operations or financial position, made in this Quarterly Report are forward looking. Words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “future” and “intends” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements. In particular, forward-looking statements in this report include statements regarding: our future operating results, including anticipated revenue; increasing competition from developing countries; financing our current and future capital expenditures; management statements regarding market conditions; the financial effect on us of successful commercialization of customer drug development projects; the effect any change in foreign currency exchange rates would have on our operating results; adequacy of our cash and cash equivalents, borrowing capacity and internally generated funds to operate our business for the next twelve months; and our ability to recognize deferred tax assets. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s current expectations, plans or projections and are inherently uncertain. Actual results could differ materially from management’s expectations, plans or projections. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: the uncertain market for our products, potential loss of a significant customer, customer concentration, potential termination or suspension by customers of significant projects, potential period-to-period revenue or expense fluctuations, higher than expected cash use, or ability to borrow funds under our line of credit, production factors, industry cost factors, competition, government regulation, labor disputes, technological change, and international business risks. Investors are directed to our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, for a further description of risks and uncertainties related to forward-looking statements made by us as well as to other aspects of our business. Synthetech undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Readers are urged, however, to review the factors set forth in reports that Synthetech files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.











11

 

OVERVIEW

Synthetech is a fine chemicals company specializing in organic synthesis, biocatalysis and chiral technologies. Synthetech develops and manufactures amino acid derivatives, specialty amino acids, peptide fragments, and proprietary custom chiral intermediates primarily for the pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical industries. Synthetech’s products support the development and manufacture of therapeutic peptides and peptidomimetic small molecule drugs at every stage of a customer’s clinical development pipeline. Synthetech’s domestic and international customer base includes major pharmaceutical and emerging biopharmaceutical companies, as well as contract drug synthesis firms. Synthetech also supplies catalog quantities of specialty amino acids to research institutions, universities and drug discovery firms. Our integrated “grams to tons” production capabilities allow us to be involved with our customers from the early phases of pharmaceutical discovery and clinical development through approval, market launch and commercialization.

Synthetech continued to face difficult market conditions in the first quarter of fiscal 2005. The pharmaceutical industry remains subject to significant overcapacity at a time when low cost suppliers from emerging economies are developing positions in the pharmaceutical supply chain.

Management believes that the new product development sector of the pharmaceutical industry remains active. Synthetech is participating in a variety of early-stage projects, which have traditionally been the source for our future large-scale projects. In addition, we continue to supply products for marketed pharmaceuticals and a marketed cosmeceutical. Our products are key building blocks in a number of drugs currently in mid- to advanced phases of clinical trials. If some of the drugs eventually receive regulatory approvals and achieve successful commercialization this would assist Synthetech in establishing a more stable revenue base. However, the progress and timing of development projects and continued success of marketed products remain outside our control.











12

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the percentage of revenues represented by each item included in the Statements of Operations.

Three Months
Ended June 30,

2004
2003
Revenue   100.0% 100.0%
Cost of revenue  90.1    124.1   


Gross income (loss)  9.9    (24.1)  
Research and development  4.6    11.1   
Selling, general and administrative  20.5    27.1   


Total operating expenses  25.1    38.2   
Operating loss  (15.2)   (62.3)  
Interest income  0.3    0.7   
Interest expense  (0.1)   (0.1)  


Loss before income taxes  (15.0)   (61.7)  
Income taxes  --      --     


Net loss  (15.0)% (61.7)%


Revenue

Revenue of $2.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2005 increased by $968,000, or 55%, compared to $1.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2004. Changes in revenue between the two periods primarily relate to revenue arising from large-scale customer projects.

Revenue from large-scale customer projects was $2.0 million and $1.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2005 and 2004, respectively. Large-scale project revenue during the first quarter of fiscal 2005 primarily arose from two ongoing customer projects, both in support of marketed products, which also contributed to revenue from large-scale customer projects in the first quarter of fiscal 2004.

In addition to large-scale projects, a significant number of other customer projects contributed to our revenue during the first quarter of fiscal 2005 and 2004. While individually smaller in dollar value, these projects support a wide variety of programs for our major pharmaceutical, emerging biopharmaceutical and contract drug synthesis customers.











13

 

International sales, mainly to Europe, were $198,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 2005, compared to $386,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 2004. International sales, like all of our revenue, are subject to significant quarterly fluctuations.

To the extent successful customer projects develop into larger volumes, either during late stage clinical trials, pre-launch or as a marketed product, our per unit pricing may decline. There is a risk that the impact on future sales and profitability from declines in pricing may not be offset by an increase in volume.

The level of Synthetech’s business from period to period is largely unpredictable. Although revenue associated with marketed products is more likely to provide a longer term, on-going revenue stream than revenue associated with drugs at the clinical or discovery stages, continuation of customer demand for our products from customers with marketed products remains subject to various market conditions, including potential use of alternative manufacturing methods, continued market demand for drugs or cosmeceuticals that we support, and competition from other suppliers. Accordingly, while significant orders related to marketed products provide increased and more predictable revenue, we expect revenue related to marketed products and other projects to continue to fluctuate significantly from period to period.

Gross income (loss)

Gross income for the first quarter of fiscal 2005 was $270,000, or 10% of revenue, compared to a gross loss of $428,000, or 24% of revenue, for the first quarter of fiscal 2004. The favorable change in gross income (loss) in the first quarter of fiscal 2005, compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2004, was primarily the result of a 55% increase in revenue. Overall manufacturing costs decreased 3% between the two quarters, primarily as a result of cost control measures implemented during the second quarter of fiscal 2004.

Cost of revenue includes raw materials, direct labor, manufacturing overhead, other direct costs, and adjustments to inventory.

Operating expenses

R&D Expense. Research and development (R&D) expense in the first quarter of fiscal 2005 was $126,000, or 5% of revenue, compared to $196,000, or 11% of revenue, in the first quarter of fiscal 2004. R&D expense during the first quarter of fiscal 2004 includes approximately $30,000 of employee relocation costs. In addition, the decrease in R&D expense for the first quarter of fiscal 2005, compared to the comparable period of fiscal 2004, reflects an increase in R&D department costs allocated to the manufacture of small scale products, which are reported as a component of cost of revenue when the product is sold.

Synthetech’s R&D department primarily develops processes to produce and optimize the production of our products and their related scale-up to manufacturing quantities.

SG&A Expense. Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense in the first quarter of fiscal 2005 was $563,000, or 21% of revenue, compared to $481,000, or 27% of revenue, in the first quarter of fiscal 2004. The increase in SG&A expense for the first quarter of fiscal 2005 compared to the comparable period of fiscal 2004 primarily reflects an increase in costs associated with the hiring of a Director of Business Development for Europe in February 2004 and increased legal and board of director fees.











14

 

SG&A expense consists of compensation and related fringe benefits for sales and administrative employees, cost of professional services, marketing costs, costs associated with being a public company and costs related to administrative facilities and information services.

Interest income

Interest income in the first quarter of fiscal 2005 was $9,000, compared to $12,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 2004. Synthetech’s interest income is primarily derived from earnings on our cash equivalents. The changes in interest income for the periods presented were due to the amount of cash equivalents and the interest rates in effect during the periods. The average rate of interest earned on Synthetech’s cash and cash equivalents during the first quarter of fiscal 2005 and 2004 was 0.94%.

Income taxes

Based on Synthetech’s recent history of losses, our near-term outlook and management’s evaluation of available tax planning strategies, we have concluded that it is more likely than not that Synthetech will be unable to recognize its net deferred tax assets as a benefit for income taxes, continuing for an uncertain period of time.

Net loss

Net loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2005 was $412,000, or 15% of revenue, compared to a net loss of $1.1 million, or 62% of revenue, for the first quarter of fiscal 2004.



INDUSTRY FACTORS

Market Factors

The market for Synthetech’s products is driven by the market for the drugs into which they are incorporated. The drug development process is dictated by the marketplace, drug companies and the regulatory environment. Synthetech has no control over the pace of these drug development efforts, which drugs get selected for clinical trials, which drugs are approved by the FDA or, even if approved, the ultimate market potential of the drugs. Synthetech also manufactures products for use in a cosmeceutical, and faces similar factors in that market.

The three stages of the drug development process include: R&D or discovery stage, clinical trial stage and marketed drug stage. Synthetech’s customers can spend years researching and developing new drugs, and take only a small percentage to clinical trials and fewer yet to commercial market. A substantial amount of activity continues to occur at the earlier stages of R&D and clinical trials. The market for peptide and peptidomimetic small molecule drugs is still developing.

Recurring sales of our products for development programs are sporadic. Because of the high cancellation rate for drug development programs, there is a significant likelihood that there will be no subsequent or “follow-on” sales for any particular drug development program. Accordingly, the level











15

 

and timing of customer orders relating to specific drug development programs vary substantially from period to period and we cannot rely on any one customer as a constant source of revenue.

The size of customer orders for marketed drugs can be substantially larger than those for the discovery or clinical trial stages. Sales of Synthetech’s products for marketed drugs may provide an opportunity for continuing, longer-term sales. While not subject to the same high cancellation rate faced by discovery and clinical trial-stage drug development programs, the demand for approved drugs remains subject to many uncertainties, including price, side effects, the existence of competing drugs and other factors affecting market acceptance. These factors, which are outside of Synthetech’s control, affect the level of demand for the drug itself and, therefore, the demand for Synthetech’s products. With longer-term, significant or large-scale orders, we expect increased competition to supply these products, which may result in canceled orders or downward price pressure. Also, industry cost pressures can cause pharmaceutical companies to explore and ultimately adopt alternative manufacturing processes that may not include Synthetech’s products as an intermediate. The international fine chemicals industry, where Synthetech is a niche participant, has been marked by significant overcapacity and a resulting downward pressure on pricing.

Similar dynamics affect the cosmeceutical development process and market, except that the regulatory oversight and, consequently, the typical length of a product’s “time to market” are reduced.

Due to the foregoing industry factors Synthetech cannot predict future demand beyond its current order base, and existing orders may be subject to cancellation or delay by customers. Until there is stable demand for our products, we are likely to continue to experience significant fluctuations in our periodic results.

Production Factors

Synthetech has a full cycle “grams to tons” production capability and has made over 400 products. With over 15 years of experience, Synthetech has developed extensive process technology and is recognized as one of the leaders in our area of expertise. Nevertheless, initial batches of new products and scaling up production processes for existing products may result in significantly lower than expected yields and extended processing time, and may require substantial rework to meet the required customer specifications. These factors could cause increased costs and delayed shipments, either of which could negatively affect periodic operating results.











16

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Synthetech’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $4.0 million at June 30, 2004, compared to $4.3 million at March 31, 2004. At June 30, 2004, Synthetech had working capital of $9.0 million, compared to $9.2 million at March 31, 2004. Synthetech has a $1 million bank line of credit. Interest is payable at the prime rate with an annual facility fee of 0.5 percent. The facility is collateralized by cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, inventories and equipment. Financial covenants contained in the agreement require Synthetech to maintain a quick ratio of 1.5 to 1 and a tangible net worth of $19 million. Synthetech had no borrowings outstanding under the credit facility as of June 30, 2004. The credit facility expires in December 2004.

Synthetech used cash in operating activities of $240,000 during the first quarter of fiscal 2005, compared to cash used in operating activities of $1.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2004. In the first quarter of fiscal 2005, the primary use of cash from operating activities was the net loss adjusted to exclude the effect of non-cash charges, followed by changes in working capital levels, including accounts receivable, inventories and accounts payable. Accounts receivable increased $487,000 to $1.8 million at June 30, 2004 from $1.3 million at March 31, 2004. The change in accounts receivable between the two periods is primarily due to differences in the timing of shipments. Inventory decreased $230,000 to $3.9 million at June 30, 2004 from $4.2 million at March 31, 2004. The change in inventory between the two periods is consistent with normal levels of inventory fluctuations based on the timing of raw material purchases and customer shipments. Accounts payable of $584,000 at June 30, 2004 was substantially unchanged from the March 31, 2004 balance of $559,000.

Synthetech used $45,000 of cash for capital expenditures during the first quarter of fiscal 2005, compared to $185,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 2004. Synthetech has completed its existing long-term capital plan for its sole facility in Albany, Oregon. Synthetech’s capital plan for fiscal 2005 includes various projects totaling approximately $500,000. Based upon Synthetech’s future financial results management may defer some of these projects to conserve cash. Synthetech expects to finance all capital expenditures from cash on hand and any internal cash flow and does not anticipate the need for any new debt or equity financing to fund these projects.

Cash used in financing activities for the first quarter of fiscal 2005 and 2004 totaled $6,000 and $5,000, respectively, for principal payments under long term debt obligations.

Synthetech incurred significant negative cash flow in fiscal 2004. Although we are unable to predict with certainty future demand (as discussed above), based on the existing state of the fine chemicals industry, our first quarter operating results and our existing order base, we may incur negative cash flow for fiscal 2005, which would adversely affect our cash position.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Synthetech believes that its existing cash and cash equivalents, its bank line of credit and any funds generated from operations will be sufficient to support its operations for the next twelve months. However, any projections of future cash needs and cash flows are subject to substantial uncertainty. There can be no assurance that current cash and cash equivalent balances and proceeds from the bank line of credit, together with cash anticipated to be generated from operations, will be sufficient to satisfy our liquidity requirements. Synthetech may not be able to draw under or renew its line of credit or obtain a replacement line of credit on acceptable terms. If sources of liquidity are insufficient, Synthetech may have to seek additional debt or equity financing to satisfy its liquidity requirements, may not be able to obtain adequate or favorable financing and any financing Synthetech obtains may dilute the ownership interests of its shareholders prior to the financing.

The disclosure of payments we have committed to make under our contractual obligations is set forth under the heading “Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of











17

 

Operations - Contractual Obligations" under Item 7 of our fiscal 2004 Form 10-K. Excluding scheduled maturities, there have been no changes to our debt and operating lease obligations since March 31, 2004. Purchase obligations outstanding as of June 30, 2004 were approximately $120,000.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The discussion and analysis of Synthetech’s financial condition and results of operations are based upon its financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires Synthetech to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, Synthetech evaluates its estimates, including those related to deferred tax asset realization, inventory realization, allowance for doubtful accounts and long-lived asset impairments. Synthetech bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Synthetech believes the following are among the critical accounting policies and the related judgments and estimates that affect the preparation of its financial statements.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

A customer’s creditworthiness is analyzed by a review of a customer’s payment history and financial stability. The allowance for doubtful accounts is established by a review of aged accounts receivables and a review for collectibility of specific accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts as of June 30, 2004 and 2003 was $15,000. If circumstances related to a specific customer change, Synthetech’s estimate of the recoverability of receivables could materially change.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market, determined on the first-in first-out (FIFO) basis. Costs include direct material, direct labor, applicable manufacturing overhead, and other direct costs.

Management evaluates Synthetech’s inventory for impairment whenever it becomes aware that indicators of impairment exist. Factors contributing to inventory impairment include, but are not limited to: decreases in selling price; changes in customer specifications; project terminations or holds; variations in material produced by Synthetech from customer specifications; and production costs materially in excess of current market price. It is our policy to write-down inventories to reflect an estimate for impairment in an amount equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, an additional inventory write-down may be required in the future. Write-downs of inventory are reported as a component of cost of revenue in the relevant period.

Long-Lived Asset Impairment

Synthetech monitors the recoverability of the carrying value of its long-lived assets such as property, plant and equipment. An impairment charge is recognized when the expected net undiscounted cash flows from an asset’s use (including any proceeds from disposition) are less than the asset’s carrying











18

 

value and the asset's carrying value exceeds its fair value. Changes in the expected use of a long-lived asset, and the financial performance of the long-lived asset, are evaluated as indicators of possible impairment. Future cash flow value may be based upon appraisals for property, plant and equipment, future cash flow estimates from operating the long-lived assets and other operating considerations. Based on this analysis, Synthetech did not recognize an impairment to long-lived assets during the current period.

Revenue Recognition

Synthetech recognizes revenue, including shipping and handling charges billed to customers, when the following criteria are met:

    Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists,
    Delivery has occurred or services have been rendered,
    Synthetech’s price to our customer is fixed or determinable, and
    Collectibility is reasonably assured.

Shipping and handling costs are classified as part of cost of revenue. .


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Synthetech’s primary market risk exposure is the impact of interest rate fluctuations on interest income earned on our cash equivalents. The risks associated with market, liquidity and principal are mitigated by investing in high-credit quality securities and limiting concentrations of issuers and maturity dates. Synthetech does not invest in derivative financial instruments.

Substantially all of Synthetech’s purchases and sales are denominated in U.S. dollars and, as a result, it has relatively little exposure to foreign currency exchange risk with respect to any of its purchases and sales. Should Synthetech enter into a significant transaction denominated in a foreign currency, we may enter into a forward exchange contract at that time.  Synthetech was not a party to any forward exchange contracts as of June 30, 2004.  For existing company transactions denominated in a foreign currency, the effect of an immediate 10% change in relevant exchange rates would not have a material impact on Synthetech’s operating results or cash flows.


Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Synthetech maintains a system of disclosure controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance as to the reliability of our published financial statements and other disclosures included in our reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In accordance with Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, our management evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of Synthetech’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered











19

 

by this report. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that Synthetech’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report to ensure that material information relating to Synthetech was made known to them by others within Synthetech, particularly during the period in which this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q was being prepared.

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2004 that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

Synthetech’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer do not expect that our disclosure controls and internal controls will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within Synthetech have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple mistake or error. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based partly on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.












20

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on July 15, 2004 in Portland, Oregon.

1) Election of Directors
All six incumbent directors were reelected without opposition to serve one-year terms in office. The results of this election were as follows:

Name of Director For  Withheld 
     
Paul C. Ahrens 13,036,935  584,188 
David R. Clarke 13,152,086  469,037 
Daniel T. Fagan 13,151,386  469,737 
Howard L. Farkas 13,140,336  480,787 
M. "Sreeni" Sreenivasan 12,949,536  671,587 
Charles B. Williams 13,059,886  561,237 

2) Ratification of Independent Auditors
The appointment of KPMG LLP as the independent auditors for fiscal year 2005 was ratified. The results of the shareholder vote were as follows:

  For Against Abstain
Appointment of KPMG LLP
  as independent auditor 13,474,010  119,713  27,400 

3) Approval of Synthetech’s 2004 Equity Incentive Plan
The Synthetech 2004 Equity Incentive Plan was not approved by the shareholders. The results of the shareholder vote were as follows:

For Against Abstain Not Voted
Approval of Synthetech's 2004
  Equity Incentive Plan 5,470,882  989,760  123,436  7,037,045 

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

Exhibits.

  Exhibit 3.1   Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1991.

  Exhibit 3.2   Bylaws of the Company, as amended, incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2001.
  Exhibit 31.1   Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
  Exhibit 31.2   Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
  Exhibit 32.1   Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
  Exhibit 32.2   Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer

(b) Reports on Form 8-K.

  On June 8, 2004, Synthetech, Inc. furnished a report on Form 8-K under Item 12 announcing its fiscal 2004 financial results.


21

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.




SYNTHETECH, INC.

Date: August 3, 2004 /s/ M. Sreenivasan
M. Sreenivasan
President & C.E.O.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date: August 3, 2004 /s/ Gary A. Weber
Gary A. Weber
Vice President Finance &
Chief Financial Officer




















22