10-Q 1 a10-q.htm Q3 2007 a10-q.htm
 



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
                            
Form 10-Q
 
 
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2007
 
Commission File Number: 333-130470
 
Accellent Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Maryland
 
84-1507827
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
 
Identification Number)

100 Fordham Road
   
Wilmington, Massachusetts
 
01887
(Address of registrant’s principal executive offices)
 
(Zip code)
     
(978) 570-6900
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  o
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer” and “large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer  o
Accelerated filer  o
Non-accelerated filer  x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes  o  No   x
 
As of November 13, 2007, 1,000 shares of the Registrant’s common stock were outstanding.  The registrant is a wholly owned subsidiary of Accellent Holdings Corp.
 


 



 





Table of Contents
 
     
 
   
   
   
   
       
 
       
 
       
 
       
     
 
       
 
       
 
       
 
       
 
       
 
       
 
       
   

 

2


PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
ACCELLENT INC.
As of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006
(in thousands)
 
   
September 30,
2007
   
December 31,
2006
 
Assets
           
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $
4,574
    $
2,746
 
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $1,358 and $1,913, respectively
   
52,498
     
49,994
 
Inventories
   
68,957
     
57,962
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
3,569
     
4,169
 
Total current assets
   
129,598
     
114,871
 
Property and equipment, net
   
133,250
     
128,573
 
Goodwill
   
798,827
     
847,213
 
Intangibles, net
   
213,179
     
258,904
 
Deferred financing costs and other assets
   
21,953
     
24,033
 
Total assets
  $
1,296,807
    $
1,373,594
 
Liabilities and stockholder’s equity
               
Current liabilities:
               
Current portion of long-term debt
  $
4,008
    $
4,014
 
Accounts payable
   
25,341
     
20,338
 
Accrued payroll and benefits
   
9,515
     
7,022
 
Accrued interest
   
13,519
     
5,171
 
Accrued income taxes
   
4,181
     
2,601
 
Accrued expenses
   
11,791
     
12,468
 
Total current liabilities
   
68,355
     
51,614
 
Notes payable and long-term debt
   
704,889
     
696,515
 
Other long-term liabilities
   
34,361
     
39,205
 
Total liabilities
   
807,605
     
787,334
 
Stockholder’s equity:
               
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 50,000,000 shares authorized and 1,000 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006
   
     
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
626,289
     
624,058
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
   
2,451
     
3,263
 
Accumulated deficit, including an adjustment of $(509) for the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle at January 1, 2007
    (139,538 )     (41,061 )
Total stockholder’s equity
   
489,202
     
586,260
 
Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity
  $
1,296,807
    $
1,373,594
 

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

3


ACCELLENT INC.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006
(in thousands)
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
2007
   
September 30,
2006
   
September 30,
2007
   
September 30,
2006
 
Net sales
  $
119,396
    $
119,915
    $
349,961
    $
366,323
 
Cost of sales (exclusive of amortization)
   
89,904
     
84,156
     
259,007
     
259,701
 
Gross profit
   
29,492
     
35,759
     
90,954
     
106,622
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
14,395
     
13,420
     
38,622
     
46,678
 
Research and development expenses
   
582
     
947
     
1,933
     
2,819
 
Restructuring (benefit) charges
    (7 )    
1,154
     
701
     
3,452
 
Amortization of intangibles
   
3,735
     
4,301
     
11,771
     
12,904
 
Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets
   
     
     
82,340
     
 
Income (loss) from operations
   
10,787
     
15,937
      (44,413 )    
40,769
 
Interest expense, net
    (17,165 )     (16,692 )     (50,079 )     (48,764 )
(Loss) gain on derivative instruments
    (122 )     (4,260 )     (64 )    
1,840
 
Other expense
    (420 )     (163 )     (515 )     (584 )
Loss before income taxes
    (6,920 )     (5,178 )     (95,071 )     (6,739 )
Income tax expense
   
1,212
     
1,279
     
2,897
     
4,144
 
Net loss
  $ (8,132 )   $ (6,457 )   $ (97,968 )   $ (10,883 )

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

4



ACCELLENT INC.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006
(in thousands)
 
   
September 30,
2007
   
September 30,
2006
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
           
Net loss
  $ (97,968 )   $ (10,883 )
Cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
   
26,537
     
25,295
 
Amortization of debt discounts and non-cash interest expense
   
3,049
     
2,916
 
Impairment charge
   
82,340
     
 
Deferred income taxes
   
818
     
2,067
 
Stock-based compensation (credit) expense
    (3,391 )    
2,332
 
Impact of inventory step-up related to inventory sold
   
     
6,422
 
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instruments
   
64
      (1,514 )
Loss on disposal of assets
   
5
     
166
 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
               
Increase in accounts receivable
    (2,211 )     (2,572 )
Increase in inventories
    (10,653 )     (3,433 )
Decrease in prepaid expenses and other
   
604
     
699
 
Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses
   
16,292
     
4,640
 
Repurchase of employee stock options
    (1,635 )     (1,950 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
13,851
     
24,185
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Purchase of property and equipment
    (18,673 )     (24,881 )
Proceeds from sale of assets
   
122
     
371
 
Proceeds from note receivable
   
     
199
 
Acquisition of business
   
      (114 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (18,551 )     (24,425 )
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Proceeds from long-term debt
   
44,000
     
28,000
 
Principal payments on long-term debt
    (36,011 )     (31,063 )
Repurchase of parent company common stock
   
      (158 )
Deferred financing fees
    (1,657 )     (1,417 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
   
6,332
      (4,638 )
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES IN CASH:
   
196
     
90
 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
   
1,828
      (4,788 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
2,746
     
8,669
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $
4,574
    $
3,881
 
                 
Supplemental disclosure:
               
Cash paid for interest
  $
38,682
    $
38,786
 
Cash paid for income taxes
   
2,645
     
3,836
 
Property and equipment purchases included in accounts payable
   
1,336
     
2,487
 

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

5


ACCELLENT INC.
September 30, 2007
 
1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Basis of Presentation
 
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Accellent Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”).  All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
 
The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), consistent in all material respects with those applied in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.  Interim financial reporting does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.  The interim financial information is unaudited, but reflects all normal adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to provide a fair statement of results for the interim periods presented.  Operating results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2007.  The balance sheet data at December 31, 2006 was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all the disclosures required by GAAP.
 
The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Accellent Acquisition Corp., which is owned by Accellent Holdings Corp.  Both of these companies were formed to facilitate the November 22, 2005 merger with Accellent Merger Sub Inc., a corporation formed by investment funds affiliated with Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. (KKR) and Bain Capital (Bain). The acquisition was accomplished through the merger of Accellent Merger Sub Inc. into Accellent Inc. with Accellent Inc. being the surviving company (the “Transaction”).
 
Nature of Operations
 
The Company is engaged in providing product development and design services, custom manufacturing of components, assembly of finished devices and supply chain management services primarily for the medical device industry. Sales are focused in both domestic and European markets.
 
The management of the Company is aligned with the three medical device markets which it serves.  As a result of this alignment, the Company has three operating segments: endoscopy, cardiology and orthopaedic.  The Company has determined that all of its operating segments meet the aggregation criteria of paragraph 17 of SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” and are treated as one reportable segment.
 
New Accounting Pronouncements
 
In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation No. 48 (FIN 48) “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.”  FIN 48 provides a standardized methodology to determine and disclose liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions.  The Company adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007 which increased its estimated tax liabilities by $0.5 million, and increased its accumulated deficit by the same amount as of the date of adoption.  For a further discussion of the FIN 48 adoption, see Note 8.
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” (SFAS 157).  SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  The statement is effective January 1, 2008 and the Company will adopt the statement at that time.  The Company believes that the initial adoption of SFAS 157 will not have a material effect on its results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
 

6


In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employer’s Accounting for Defined Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R),” (SFAS 158).  SFAS 158 requires the recognition of the funded status of a benefit plan in the statement of financial position. It also requires the recognition as a component of other comprehensive income, net of tax, of the gains or losses and prior service costs or credits that arise during the period but are not recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost pursuant to SFAS No. 87 or 106.  The statement also has new provisions regarding the measurement date as well as certain disclosure requirements.  The statement is effective at fiscal year end 2007 and the Company will adopt the statement at that time.  We believe the adoption of SFAS 158 will not have a material effect on our results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
 
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — including an amendment of FASB No. 115,” (SFAS 159).  SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value.  This statement is effective beginning after November 15, 2007.  The Company is still evaluating the impact that the adoption of SFAS 159 will have on its results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
 
In September 2006, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements” (SAB 108). SAB 108 provides interpretative guidance on the process of quantifying financial statement misstatements and is effective for fiscal years ending after November 15, 2006.  The Company applied the provisions of SAB 108 beginning in the first quarter of 2007 and there was no impact to the consolidated financial statements.
 
2. Intangible Assets
 
The Company’s Orthopaedics reporting unit experienced a decline in net sales during the fourth quarter of 2006.  Management initially expected this reporting unit to recover during the first half of 2007.  However, during the first quarter of 2007, continued weakness in new product launches by our customers within the Orthopaedic market resulted in lower than planned Orthopaedics sales, and an operating loss for this reporting unit.  In addition, the Company’s quarterly internal financial forecast process, which was completed during April 2007, indicated that the recovery in Orthopaedics sales and operating profitability would take longer than originally anticipated during fiscal 2006.  The Company determined that an evaluation of potential impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets for the Orthopaedic reporting unit was required as of March 31, 2007 in accordance with the requirements of SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (SFAS 142) and SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets” (SFAS 144).
 
The Company tested the long-lived assets of its Orthopaedic reporting unit for recoverability as of March 31, 2007, and determined that the Customer Base and Developed Technology intangible assets were not recoverable since the expected future undiscounted cash flows attributable to each asset were below their respective carrying values.  The Company utilized the services of a third party valuation specialist to assist in the determination of fair value for each intangible asset.  The fair value of the Customer Base intangible was determined to be $7.6 million using an excess earnings approach.  The carrying value of the Customer Base intangible was $37.7 million, resulting in an impairment charge of $30.1 million.  The fair value of the Developed Technology intangible asset was determined to be $0.4 million using the relief from royalty method.  The carrying value of the Developed Technology intangible was $0.6 million, resulting in an impairment charge of $0.2 million.  In addition, the Company determined that the $28.2 million carrying value of property and equipment assigned to the Orthopaedic reporting unit was not impaired.
 
In accordance with the requirements of SFAS 142, the Company also tested goodwill and other indefinite life intangible assets for impairment as of March 31, 2007.  The Company determined the value of the Orthopaedics reporting unit using the assistance of a third party valuation specialist.  The fair value of the reporting unit was based on both an income approach and market approach, and was determined to be below its carrying value.  The Company then determined the implied fair value of goodwill by determining the fair value of all the assets and liabilities of the Orthopaedics reporting unit.  As a result of this process, the Company determined that the fair value of goodwill for the Orthopaedics reporting unit was $50.0 million.  The carrying value of Orthopaedics goodwill was $98.4 million, resulting in an impairment charge of $48.4 million.  In addition, the Company’s Trademark intangible asset, which has an indefinite life, was valued in accordance with SFAS 142 using a relief from royalty method, and using the assistance of a third party valuation specialist.  The fair value of the Trademark was determined to be $29.4 million.  The carrying value of the Trademark was $33.0 million, resulting in an impairment charge of $3.6 million.

7

The Company continues to monitor the Orthopaedics reporting unit.  The Company will evaluate the performance of any long-life assets as part of our October 31, 2007 annual review.

A summary of all charges for the impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 is as follows (in thousands):

Intangible Asset
 
Carrying Value
   
Fair Value
   
Impairment
 
                   
Goodwill
  $
98,431
    $
50,045
    $
48,386
 
Trademark
   
33,000
     
29,400
     
3,600
 
Customer base
   
37,745
     
7,600
     
30,145
 
Developed technology
   
579
     
370
     
209
 
 Total
  $
169,755
    $
87,415
    $
82,340
 

The Company reports all amortization expense related to intangible assets on a separate line of its statement of operations.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, the Company incurred amortization expense related to intangible assets which related to cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses as follows (in thousands):
 
   
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30, 2007
   
September 30, 2006
   
September 30, 2007
   
September 30, 2006
 
                         
Cost of sales related amortization
  $
497
    $
506
    $
1,500
    $
1,518
 
Selling, general and administrative related amortization
   
3,238
     
3,795
     
10,271
     
11,386
 
Total amortization reported
  $
3,735
    $
4,301
    $
11,771
    $
12,904
 

3.  Stock-Based Compensation
 
Employees of the Company have been granted nonqualified stock options under the 2005 Equity Plan for Key Employees of Accellent Holdings Corp. (the “2005 Equity Plan”), which provides for grants of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, restricted stock units and stock appreciation rights.  The plan generally requires exercise of stock options within 10 years of grant.  Vesting is determined in the applicable stock option agreement and generally occurs either in equal installments over five years from date of grant (“Time-Based”), or upon achievement of certain performance targets over a five-year period (“Performance-Based”).  The total number of shares authorized under the plan is 14,374,633.  Shares issued by Accellent Holdings Corp. (“AHC”) upon exercise are satisfied from shares authorized for issuance, and are not from treasury shares.
 
           As a result of the Transaction, certain employees of the Company exchanged fully vested stock options to acquire common shares of the Company for 4,901,107 fully vested stock options, or “Roll-Over” options, of AHC.  The Company may at its option elect to repurchase the Roll-Over options at fair market value from terminating employees within 60 days of termination and provide employees with settlement options to satisfy tax obligations in excess of minimum withholding rates.  As a result of these features, Roll-Over options are recorded as a liability under SFAS No. 123R, “Share Based Payment” (SFAS 123R), until such options are exercised, forfeited, expired or settled.  In accordance with SFAS 123R, the liability for Roll-Over options is recorded at fair value.  During the three months ended September 30, 2007, the Company reduced the fair value of the Roll-Over option liability by $0.2 million due primarily to the exercise and settlement of certain options awards by terminating employees.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2007 the Company reduced the fair value of the Roll-Over options by $4.5 million due primarily to a reduction in the fair value of AHC common stock.  The decrease in the value of AHC common stock was primarily attributable to adverse business conditions impacting the Company’s Orthopaedics reporting unit.  During the three months ended September 30, 2007 no further reduction in fair value of AHC’s common stock was recorded.  Additionally, as a result of the exercise of Roll-Over options during the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company was required to repurchase 829,247 options at a cost of $1,635,067 to allow former employees to satisfy tax obligations.  As of September 30, 2007, the Company had 2,844,450 Roll-Over options outstanding at an aggregate fair value of $8,035,871 which is presented in other long-term liabilities in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.
 

8


The table below summarizes the activity relating to the Roll-Over options during the nine months ended September 30, 2007:
 
   
Amount of 
Liability
   
Roll-Over Shares 
Outstanding
 
Balance at January 1, 2007
  $
16,814,056
     
4,305,358
 
Shares repurchased
    (1,635,067 )     (829,247 )
Shares exercised
    (2,643,337 )     (631,662 )
Fair value adjustment of liability
    (4,499,781 )    
 
Balance at September 30, 2007
  $
8,035,871
     
2,844,449
 

The Company’s Roll-Over options have an exercise price of $1.25, and a fair value of $4.00 as of the date of the Transaction.  As of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the Roll-Over options had a fair value of $2.83 and $3.91, respectively, based on the Black-Scholes option-pricing model using the following weighted average assumptions:
 
   
As of
 September 30, 2007
   
As of
December 31, 2006
 
Expected term to exercise
 
3.3 years
   
4.3 years
 
Expected volatility
    22.00 %     27.74 %
Risk-free rate
    4.78 %     4.79 %
Dividend yield
    0 %     0 %

The Black-Scholes option pricing model used to value the Roll-Over options, Time-Based, and Performance-Based options include an estimate of the fair value of Accellent Holdings Corp. common stock.  The fair value of Accellent Holdings Corp. common stock has been determined by the Board of Directors of Accellent Holdings Corp. at each stock measurement date based on a variety of factors, including the Company’s financial position, historical financial performance, projected financial performance, valuations of publicly traded peer companies, the illiquid nature of the common stock and arm’s length sales of Accellent Holdings Corp. common stock.  Third party valuations are utilized periodically to validate assumptions made.
 
Expected term to exercise is based on the simplified method as provided by SAB 107.  The Company and its parent company have no historical volatility since their shares have never been publicly traded.  Accordingly, the volatility used has been estimated by management using volatility information from a peer group of publicly traded companies. The risk free rate is based on the US Treasury rate for notes with a term equal to the option’s expected term.  The dividend yield assumption of 0% is based on the Company’s history of not paying dividends on common shares.  The requisite service period is five years from date of grant.
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2007, the Company recorded a credit for employee stock-based compensation expense of $150,685 including a $4,172 charge recorded to cost of sales relating to time-based options and a $154,857 credit recorded to selling, general and administrative expenses primarily related to roll-over options.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company recognized a credit for employee stock-based compensation expense of $4,911,232 consisting of a $109,399 credit recorded to cost of sales and a $4,801,833 credit recorded to selling, general and administrative expenses. The Company records employee stock-based compensation expense using the graded attribution method, which results in higher compensation expense in the earlier periods for each award than recognition on a straight-line method.  For Performance-Based options, compensation expense is recorded when the achievement of performance targets is considered probable.  The Company has determined that the achievement of performance targets for all Performance-Based options presently outstanding, is not probable at September 30, 2007.   If in the event that financial growth targets are achieved or adjusted in future periods, the Company would be required to record employee stock-based compensation expense for the Performance-Based options once the achievement of financial growth targets becomes probable.
 

9


Stock option transaction activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was as follows:
 
   
2005 Equity Plan
   
Roll-Over Options
 
   
Number of
shares
   
Weighted
average
exercise
price
   
Number of
shares
   
Weighted
average
exercise
price
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2006
   
4,474,514
    $
5.00
     
4,305,358
    $
1.25
 
Granted
   
1,545,882
     
4.04
     
     
 
Exercised/ repurchased
   
     
      (1,460,908 )    
1.25
 
Forfeited
    (2,933,689 )    
5.00
     
     
 
Outstanding at September 30, 2007
   
3,086,707
    $
4.52
     
2,844,450
    $
1.25
 
Exercisable at September 30, 2007
   
117,332
    $
5.00
     
2,844,450
    $
1.25
 

As of September 30, 2007, the weighted average remaining contractual life of options granted under the 2005 Equity Plan was 9.2 years.  Options outstanding under the 2005 Equity Plan had no intrinsic value as of September 30, 2007.
 
As of September 30, 2007, the weighted average remaining contractual life of the Roll-Over options was 5.1 years.  The aggregate intrinsic value of the Roll-Over options was $7.8 million as of September 30, 2007.  The total intrinsic value of Roll-Over options settled during the three months ended September 30, 2007 was $3.3 million.
 
As of September 30, 2007, the Company had approximately $1.2 million of unearned stock-based compensation expense that will be recognized over approximately 5.0 years based on the remaining weighted average vesting period of all outstanding stock options.
 
At September 30, 2007, 11,287,926 shares are available to grant under the 2005 Equity Plan For Key Employees of Accellent Holdings Corp.
 
During the three months ended September 30, 2007, the Company recorded $480,000 of non-employee stock based compensation, including $30,000 of AHC phantom stock earned by directors of AHC in accordance with the Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan and $450,000 of stock earned by Capstone Consulting (“Capstone”) for integration consulting services.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company recorded $1,520,667 of non-employee stock-based compensation, including $60,667 of AHC phantom stock earned by directors of AHC in accordance with the Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan, $1,300,000 of AHC stock earned by Capstone for integration consulting services and $160,000 earned for executive recruiting services.  For a further discussion of Capstone, see Note 11.
 
4.  Restructuring Charges
 
During the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, all restructuring costs incurred by the Company were recorded in accordance with the guidance of SFAS No. 146, “Accounting Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities.”
 
During the three months ended September 30, 2007, the Company recognized $7,000 of restructuring credits to adjust certain severance accruals for restructuring actions taken in prior periods and completed during the quarter.
 
The Company recognized $0.7 million of restructuring charges during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 which consisted almost entirely of severance costs to eliminate 18 positions in both manufacturing and administrative areas in connection with a company-wide program to reduce costs and centralize certain administrative functions.
 
During the three months ended September 30, 2006, the Company recognized $1.2 million of restructuring charges including $1.1 million of severance costs for the elimination of 72 manufacturing positions in the Company’s Juarez, Mexico facility due to the expiration of a customer contract and $0.1 million of other exit costs.

10


The Company recognized $3.5 million of restructuring charges during the first nine months of 2006, including $2.8 million of severance costs and $0.7 million of other exit costs.  Severance costs include $1.9 million for the elimination of 58 positions in both manufacturing and administrative areas as part of a company-wide program to reduce costs and centralize certain administrative functions, $0.7 million for the elimination of 317 manufacturing positions in the Company’s Juarez, Mexico facility due to the expiration of a customer contract, and $0.2 million to record retention bonuses related to facility closures.  Other exit costs relate primarily to the cost to transfer production from former MedSource facilities that are closing to other existing facilities of the Company.
 
The following table summarizes the recorded accruals and activity related to restructuring for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 (in thousands):
 
   
Severance
   
Other costs
   
Total
 
Balance as of December 31, 2006
  $
1,737
    $
191
    $
1,928
 
Restructuring charges incurred
   
684
     
24
     
708
 
Restructuring benefits realized
    (7 )    
      (7 )
Payments
    (2,078 )     (146 )     (2,224 )
Balance as of September 30, 2007
  $
336
    $
69
    $
405
 

The accrued restructuring balance of $0.4 million at September 30, 2007 consists primarily of $0.3 million of severance costs for the various cost reduction initiatives implemented during 2006, and $0.1 million of facility closure costs.  All accrued restructuring costs at September 30, 2007 are expected to be paid within twelve months.
 
5.  Comprehensive Loss
 
Comprehensive (loss) income represents net loss plus the results of any stockholder’s equity changes related to currency translation and changes in the carrying value of the effective portion of interest rate hedging instruments on the Company’s cash flows related to interest obligations.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, the Company recorded comprehensive (loss) income of the following (in thousands):
 
   
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30, 2007
   
September 30, 2006
   
September 30, 2007
   
September 30, 2006
 
Net loss
  $ (8,132 )   $ (6,457 )   $ (97,968 )   $ (10,883 )
Loss on interest rate hedging instruments
    (3,630 )    
      (2,249 )    
 
Cumulative translation adjustments
   
1,080
     
349
     
1,437
     
992
 
Comprehensive loss
  $ (10,682 )   $ (6,108 )   $ (98,780 )   $ (9,891 )

6.  Inventories
 
Inventories at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
   
September 30,
2007
   
December 31, 
2006
 
Raw materials
  $
23,544
    $
22,556
 
Work-in-process
   
25,283
     
20,354
 
Finished goods
   
20,130
     
15,052
 
Total
  $
68,957
    $
57,962
 

 

11


7.  Short-term and long-term debt
 
Long-term debt at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
   
September 30,
2007
   
December 31,
2006
 
Amended Credit Agreement term loan, interest 8.01% at September 30, 2007 and 7.37% at December 31, 2006
  $
393,000
    $
396,000
 
Amended Credit Agreement revolving loan
   
14,000
     
3,000
 
Senior Subordinated Notes maturing December 1, 2013, interest at 10.5%
   
305,000
     
305,000
 
Capital lease obligations
   
10
     
21
 
Total debt
   
712,010
     
704,021
 
Less—unamortized discount on senior subordinated notes
    (3,113 )     (3,492 )
Less—current portion
    (4,008 )     (4,014 )
Long-term debt, excluding current portion
  $
704,889
    $
696,515
 

The Company’s senior secured credit facility, as amended on April 27, 2007, (the “Amended Credit Agreement”) includes up to $75.0 million available under a revolving credit facility.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company drew $44.0 million in revolving credit loans under the Amended Credit Agreement, and repaid $33.0 million in revolving credit loans.  As of September 30, 2007 the outstanding balance on the revolving credit facility loan was $14.0 million, while $5.9 million of the revolving credit facility was supporting the Company’s letters of credit, leaving $55.1 million available for additional borrowings.
 
The Company has the option to select borrowing rates for the revolver portion of the Amended Credit Agreement at the Alternative Bank Rate (the “ABR”), as defined under the Amended Credit Agreement as the greater of the Prime Rate or Federal Funds rate plus 0.5%, or LIBOR.  As of September 30, 2007 the outstanding revolver balance of $14.0 million included $4.0 million at the ABR rate of 9.25% and $10.0 million at the LIBOR rate of 8.07%.  All of the $3.0 million of the outstanding revolver loans at December 31, 2006 incurred interest at the ABR rate of 9.5%.
 
As of September 30, 2007, the Company was in compliance with the covenants under the Amended Credit Agreement and the Senior Subordinated Notes (the  “Notes”).
 
The Amended Credit Agreement provides that for the revolving credit portion of the facility (i) for so long as the Leverage Ratio exceeds 8.00 to 1.00, the “Applicable Rate” as defined under the facility would be equal to 1.75% for ABR Loans and Swingline Loans and 2.75% for Eurodollar Loans (each as defined under the facility), with a 0.50% fee for undrawn commitments, (ii) for so long as the Leverage Ratio exceeds 7.00 to 1.00 but is equal to or less than 8.00 to 1.00, the Applicable Rate would be equal to 1.50% for ABR Loans and Swingline Loans and 2.50% for Eurodollar Loans, with a 0.50% fee for undrawn commitments and (iii) in all other cases the Applicable Rate and commitment fees are as currently provided for in the original facility.  The Amendment also provides that for the term loan portion of the facility (i) for so long as the Leverage Ratio exceeds 8.00 to 1.00, the Applicable Rate is equal to 1.75% for ABR Loans and 2.75% for Eurodollar Loans, (ii) for so long as the Leverage Ratio exceeds 6.00 to 1.00 but is equal to or less than 8.00 to 1.00 the Applicable Rate is equal to 1.50% for ABR Loans and 2.50% for Eurodollar Loans and (iii) for so long as the Leverage Ratio is equal to or less than 6.00 to 1.00 the Applicable Rate would be equal to 1.25% for ABR Loans and 2.25% for Eurodollar Loans.
 
In connection with the Amendment, the Company paid approximately $1.7 million of fees to the lenders under the facility, inclusive of reimbursement of lender expenses.  As these fees were paid to the lenders in connection with the modification of the Credit Agreement, these costs were capitalized as deferred financing fees.
 

12


 
Interest expense, net, as presented in the statement of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 includes interest income of $36,291 and $35,004, respectively.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 interest expense, net, includes interest income of $167,561 and $109,097, respectively.
 
The Senior Subordinated Notes (the “Notes”) contain an embedded derivative in the form of a change of control put option.  The put option allows the note holder to put back the note to the Company in the event of a change of control for cash equal to the value of 101% of the principal amount of the note, plus accrued and unpaid interest.  The change of control put option is separately accounted for pursuant to SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.”  The Company has determined that the change of control put option had de minimus value at both the issuance date of the Notes, November 22, 2005, and at September 30, 2007, as the likelihood of the note holders exercising the put option, should a change of control occur, has been assessed by management as being remote.
 
Borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement have variable interest rates.  The Company has entered into interest rate swap and collar agreements to mitigate exposures to changes in cash flows from movements in variable interest rates.  The interest rate swap agreement was designated as a cash flow hedge effective November 30, 2006.  Upon designation as an accounting hedge, changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap which relate to the effective portion of the hedge are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and reclassified into earnings as the underlying hedged interest expense affects earnings.  Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap which relate to the ineffective portion of the interest rate swap are recorded in other income (expense).  For the three months ended September 30, 2007, the Company recorded other comprehensive loss of $3,629,926 relating to the change in fair value for the effective portion of the interest rate swap, and other income of $47,959 relating to the change in fair value for the ineffective portion of the interest rate swap.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company recorded other comprehensive loss of $2,249,243 relating to the change in fair value for the effective portion of the interest rate swap, and other income of $64,487 relating to the change in fair value for the ineffective portion of the interest rate swap.  The fair value of the interest rate swap liability at September 30, 2007 was $946,868.  The interest rate collar agreement has not been designated as a cash flow hedge.  Therefore, changes in the fair value of the interest rate collar are recorded as other income (expense) as the instrument is marked to market.  For the three months ended September 30, 2007, the Company recorded other expense of $170,036 relating to the change in fair value of the interest rate collar.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company recorded other expense of $128,672 relating to the change in fair value of the interest rate collar.  The fair value of the interest rate collar liability at September 30, 2007 was $155,362.

8.  Income taxes
 
Income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2007 was $1.2 million and included $0.7 million of deferred income taxes for differences in the book and tax treatment of goodwill and $0.5 million of foreign income taxes.    Income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2006 was $1.3 million and included $0.7 million of deferred income taxes for the different book and tax treatment of goodwill, $0.2 million of foreign income taxes and $0.4 million of state income taxes.
 
Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $2.9 million and included $2.2 million of deferred income taxes for the differences in the book and tax treatment of goodwill, $1.7 million of foreign income taxes and $0.3 million of state income taxes.  These income tax expenses were partially offset by a deferred tax credit of $1.3 million due to the impairment charge of $3.6 million recorded for the Trademark intangible asset.  Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $4.1 million and included $2.2 million of deferred income taxes for the differences in the book and tax treatment of goodwill, $1.0 million of foreign income taxes and $0.9 million of state income taxes.  The Company believes that it is more likely than not that the Company will not recognize the benefits of its domestic federal and state deferred tax assets.  As a result, the Company continues to provide a full valuation reserve.  SFAS No.109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” prevents the netting of deferred tax assets with deferred tax liabilities related to certain intangible assets.  The Company has $16.1 million and $15.3 million of deferred tax liabilities included in other long-term liabilities on its consolidated condensed balance sheet as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively, relating to certain intangible assets.
 
The Company or certain of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various state and foreign jurisdictions.  As a result of the Company’s ability to carry forward federal and state net operating losses, the applicable tax years remain open to examination until three years after the applicable loss carry forwards have been used or expire.  The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations for years before 2003.  With a few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. state or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2002.
 

13


The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007.  As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, the Company recognized approximately a $0.5 million increase in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits, which was accounted for as an increase to the January 1, 2007 balance of accumulated deficit.  The liability recorded for unrecognized tax benefits as of January 1, 2007 was $3.5 million, all of which would have an affect on the effective income tax rate in the period recognized.
 
The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.  The Company had approximately $0.2 million and $0.2 million for the payment of interest and penalties, respectively, accrued at January 1, 2007 and September 30, 2007.  No additional charges for interest and penalties were recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2007.
 
9.  Capital Stock
 
The Company has 50,000,000 shares of common stock authorized and 1,000 shares issued and outstanding, $.01 value per share. All shares are owned by Accellent Acquisition Corp., which is owned by Accellent Holdings Corp.
 
The following table summarizes the activity for amounts recorded as additional paid-in capital for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 (in thousands):
 
Beginning balance, January 1, 2007
  $
624,058
 
Exercise of stock options
   
2,642
 
Stock-based compensation credit
    (411 )
Ending balance, September 30, 2007
  $
626,289
 

10.  Pension Plans
 
Components of the Company’s net periodic pension cost for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 were as follows (in thousands):
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
2007
   
September 30,
2006
   
September 30,
2007
   
September 30,
2006
 
Service cost
  $
18
    $
24
    $
51
    $
76
 
Interest cost
   
44
     
38
     
126
     
111
 
Expected return of plan assets
    (18 )     (17 )     (53 )     (48 )
Recognized net actuarial loss
   
     
8
     
     
26
 
    $
44
    $
53
    $
124
    $
165
 

 
The Company made contributions to its pension plans of $17,000 for fiscal year 2007.
 
11. Related Party Transactions
 
In connection with the Transaction, the Company entered into a management services agreement with KKR pursuant to which KKR will provide certain structuring, consulting and management advisory services.  Pursuant to this agreement, KKR will receive an annual advisory fee of $1.0 million, such amount to increase by 5% per year.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company incurred KKR management fees and related expenses of $0.3 million and $0.8 million, respectively.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company incurred KKR management fees and related expenses of $0.3 million and $0.8 million, respectively.  As of September 30, 2007, the Company owed KKR $0.3 million for unpaid management fees which are included in current accrued expenses on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.  In addition, an entity to whom KKR provides financing, Capstone, provides integration consulting services to the Company.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company incurred $0.5 million and $1.6 million, respectively, of integration consulting fees for the services of Capstone.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company incurred $0.6 million and $1.3 million, respectively, of integration consulting fees for the services of Capstone.  As of September 30, 2007 the Company owed Capstone $1.3 million for unpaid consulting fees which are to be paid in common stock of AHC which is included in other long-term liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
 

14

 
12.  Contingency
 
On July 23, 2007, the Company was notified by the Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future and Montgomery Neighbors for a Clean Environment of their intent to file a citizen suit against the Company and an unrelated party based upon alleged violations of the Pennsylvania Hazardous Site Cleanup Act.  To date, no such suit has been filed.  Furthermore, on November 6, 2007, People for Clean Air and Water announced that they had filed a citizen suit against the Company and two unrelated parties based upon alleged violations of the United States Clean Air Act.  To date, the Company has not been served in connection with such suit.  The alleged violations relate to the emission of trichloroethylene (“TCE”) by the Company’s facility in Collegeville, Pennsylvania.  Such emissions are authorized by permit.  The Company believes that they have complied with all applicable emission limits for TCE, and intends to vigorously defend any action that may be filed in this regard.
 
13.  Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements
 
In connection with Accellent Inc.’s issuance of the Notes, all of its domestic subsidiaries (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”) guaranteed on a joint and several, full and unconditional basis, the repayment by Accellent Inc. of such Notes. Certain foreign subsidiaries of Accellent Inc. (the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”) have not guaranteed such indebtedness.
 
The following tables present the unaudited consolidating statements of operations for three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 of Accellent Inc. (“Parent”), the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries, the unaudited condensed consolidating balance sheets as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, and the unaudited condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006.
 

15

 
Consolidating Statements of Operations —
Three months ended September 30, 2007 (in thousands):
 
   
Parent
   
Subsidiary
Guarantors
   
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Net sales
  $
    $
112,309
    $
7,313
    $ (226 )   $
119,396
 
Cost of sales
   
     
85,500
     
4,630
      (226 )    
89,904
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
37
     
13,645
     
713
     
     
14,395
 
Research and development expenses
   
     
455
     
127
     
     
582
 
Restructuring (benefit) charges
   
      (7 )    
     
      (7 )
Amortization of intangibles
   
3,735
     
     
     
     
3,735
 
Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets
   
     
     
     
     
 
(Loss) income from operations
    (3,772 )    
12,716
     
1,843
     
     
10,787
 
Interest expense, net
    (17,139 )     (26 )    
     
      (17,165 )
Loss on derivative instruments
    (122 )    
     
     
      (122 )
Other (expense) income
   
      (516 )    
96
     
      (420 )
Equity in earnings of affiliates
   
12,901
     
1,557
     
      (14,458 )    
 
Income tax expense
   
     
830
     
382
     
     
1,212
 
Net (loss) income
  $ (8,132 )   $
12,901
    $
1,557
    $ (14,458 )   $ (8,132 )

 
Consolidating Statements of Operations —
Three months ended September 30, 2006 (in thousands):
 
   
Parent
   
Subsidiary
Guarantors
   
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Net sales
  $
    $
114,529
    $
5,467
    $ (81 )   $
119,915
 
Cost of sales
   
     
80,698
     
3,539
      (81 )    
84,156
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
30
     
12,659
     
731
     
     
13,420
 
Research and development expenses
   
     
846
     
101
     
     
947
 
Restructuring charges
   
     
1,154
     
     
     
1,154
 
Amortization of intangibles
   
4,301
     
     
     
     
4,301
 
(Loss) income from operations
    (4,331 )    
19,172
     
1,096
     
     
15,937
 
Interest expense, net
    (16,664 )     (28 )    
     
      (16,692 )
Loss on derivative instruments
    (4,260 )    
     
     
      (4,260 )
Other expense
   
      (290 )    
127
     
      (163 )
Equity in earnings of affiliates
   
18,798
     
1,056
     
      (19,854 )    
 
Income tax expense
   
     
1,112
     
167
     
     
1,279
 
Net (loss) income
  $ (6,457 )   $
18,798
    $
1,056
    $ (19,854 )   $ (6,457 )

 

16

 
Consolidating Statements of Operations —
Nine months ended September 30, 2007 (in thousands):
 
   
Parent
   
Subsidiary
Guarantors
   
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Net sales
  $
    $
329,747
    $
20,775
    $ (561 )   $
349,961
 
Cost of sales
   
     
246,618
     
12,950
      (561 )    
259,007
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
84
     
36,495
     
2,043
     
     
38,622
 
Research and development expenses
   
     
1,574
     
359
     
     
1,933
 
Restructuring charges
   
     
701
     
     
     
701
 
Amortization of intangibles
   
11,771
     
     
     
     
11,771
 
Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets
   
82,340
     
     
     
     
82,340
 
(Loss) income from operations
    (94,195 )    
44,359
     
5,423
     
      (44,413 )
Interest expense, net
    (50,054 )     (25 )    
     
      (50,079 )
Loss on derivative instruments
    (64 )    
     
     
      (64 )
Other (expense) income
   
      (763 )    
248
     
      (515 )
Equity in earnings of affiliates
   
46,345
     
4,405
     
      (50,750 )    
 
Income tax expense
   
     
1,630
     
1,267
     
     
2,897
 
Net (loss) income
  $ (97,968 )   $
46,346
    $
4,404
    $ (50,750 )   $ (97,968 )

 
Consolidating Statements of Operations —
Nine months ended September 30, 2006 (in thousands):
 
   
Parent
   
Subsidiary
Guarantors
   
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Net sales
  $
    $
351,017
    $
15,610
    $ (304 )   $
366,323
 
Cost of sales
   
6,421
     
243,938
     
9,646
      (304 )    
259,701
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
103
     
44,871
     
1,704
     
     
46,678
 
Research and development expenses
   
     
2,519
     
300
     
     
2,819
 
Restructuring charges
   
     
3,452
     
     
     
3,452
 
Amortization of intangibles
   
12,904
     
     
     
     
12,904
 
(Loss) income from operations
    (19,428 )    
56,237
     
3,960
     
     
40,769
 
Interest (expense) income, net
    (48,725 )     (40 )    
1
     
      (48,764 )
Gain on derivative instruments
   
1,840
     
     
     
     
1,840
 
Other (expense) income
   
      (769 )    
185
     
      (584 )
Equity in earnings of affiliates
   
55,430
     
3,339
     
      (58,769 )    
 
Income tax expense
   
     
3,337
     
807
     
     
4,144
 
Net (loss) income
  $ (10,883 )   $
55,430
    $
3,339
    $ (58,769 )   $ (10,883 )

17


Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
September 30, 2007 (in thousands):
 
   
Parent
   
Subsidiary
Guarantors
   
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $
    $
2,099
    $
2,475
    $
    $
4,574
 
Receivables, net
   
     
49,348
     
3,241
      (91 )    
52,498
 
Inventories
   
     
64,642
     
4,315
     
     
68,957
 
Prepaid expenses and other
   
19
     
3,475
     
75
     
     
3,569
 
Total current assets
   
19
     
119,564
     
10,106
      (91 )    
129,598
 
Property and equipment, net
   
     
122,705
     
10,545
     
     
133,250
 
Intercompany receivable
   
     
8,827
     
6,810
      (15,637 )    
 
Investment in subsidiaries
   
195,476
     
19,654
     
      (215,130 )    
 
Goodwill
   
798,827
     
     
     
     
798,827
 
Intangibles, net
   
213,179
     
     
     
     
213,179
 
Deferred financing costs and other assets
   
20,698
     
1,127
     
128
     
     
21,953
 
Total assets
  $
1,228,199
    $
271,877
    $
27,589
    $ (230,858 )   $
1,296,807
 
                                         
Current portion of long-term debt
  $
4,000
    $
8
    $
    $
    $
4,008
 
Accounts payable
   
     
23,260
     
2,049
     
32
     
25,341
 
Accrued liabilities
   
3,465
     
32,250
     
3,291
     
     
39,006
 
Total current liabilities
   
7,465
     
55,518
     
5,340
     
32
     
68,355
 
Note payable and long-term debt
   
720,646
     
2
     
      (15,760 )    
704,889
 
Other long-term liabilities
   
10,886
     
20,881
     
2,594
     
     
34,361
 
Total liabilities
   
738,997
     
76,401
     
7,934
      (15,727 )    
807,605
 
Equity
   
489,202
     
195,476
     
19,655
      (215,131 )    
489,202
 
Total liabilities and equity
  $
1,228,199
    $
271,877
    $
27,589
    $ (230,858 )   $
1,296,807
 

 
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
December 31, 2006 (in thousands):
 
   
Parent
   
Subsidiary
Guarantors
   
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $
    $
693
    $
2,053
    $
    $
2,746
 
Receivables, net
   
     
47,837
     
2,195
      (38 )    
49,994
 
Inventories
   
     
54,927
     
3,035
     
     
57,962
 
Prepaid expenses and other
   
117
     
3,901
     
151
     
     
4,169
 
Total current assets
   
117
     
107,358
     
7,434
      (38 )    
114,871
 
Property and equipment, net
   
     
119,692
     
8,881
     
     
128,573
 
Intercompany receivable
   
21,628
     
101,548
     
5,080
      (128,256 )    
 
Investment in subsidiaries
   
147,694
     
15,478
     
      (163,172 )    
 
Goodwill
   
847,213
     
     
     
     
847,213
 
Intangibles, net
   
258,904
     
     
     
     
258,904
 
Other assets, net
   
22,855
     
1,078
     
100
     
     
24,033
 
Total assets
  $
1,298,411
    $
345,154
    $
21,495
    $ (291,466 )   $
1,373,594
 
                                         
Current portion of long-term debt
  $
4,000
    $
14
    $
    $
    $
4,014
 
Accounts payable
   
7
     
18,929
     
1,440
      (38 )    
20,338
 
Accrued liabilities
    (5,390 )    
30,355
     
2,297
     
     
27,262
 
Total current liabilities
    (1,383 )    
49,298
     
3,737
      (38 )    
51,614
 
Note payable and long-term debt
   
696,508
     
7
     
     
     
696,515
 
Other long-term liabilities
   
17,026
     
148,155
     
2,280
      (128,256 )    
39,205
 
Total liabilities
   
712,151
     
197,460
     
6,017
      (128,294 )    
787,334
 
Equity
   
586,260
     
147,694
     
15,478
      (163,172 )    
586,260
 
Total liabilities and equity
  $
1,298,411
    $
345,154
    $
21,495
    $ (291,466 )   $
1,373,594
 

18


Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows—
Nine months ended September 30, 2007 (in thousands):
 
   
Parent
   
Subsidiary
Guarantors
   
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
  $ (43,607 )   $
51,949
    $
5,509
    $
    $
13,851
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
                                       
Purchase of property and equipment
   
      (16,668 )     (2,005 )    
      (18,673 )
Proceeds from sale of equipment
   
     
122
     
     
     
122
 
Net cash used in investing activities
   
      (16,546 )     (2,005 )    
      (18,551 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
                                       
Proceeds from long-term debt
   
44,000
     
     
     
     
44,000
 
Principal payments on long-term debt
    (36,000 )     (11 )    
     
      (36,011 )
Intercompany receipts (advances)
   
37,264
      (34,016 )     (3,248 )    
     
 
    Deferred financing fees
    (1,657 )    
     
     
      (1,657 )
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities
   
43,607
      (34,027 )     (3,248 )    
     
6,332
 
Effect of exchange rate changes in cash
   
     
31
     
165
     
     
196
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
   
     
1,407
     
421
     
     
1,828
 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
   
     
692
     
2,054
     
     
2,746
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $
    $
2,099
    $
2,475
    $
    $
4,574
 

 
Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows—
Nine months ended September 30, 2006 (in thousands):
 
   
Parent
   
Subsidiary
Guarantors
   
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
  $ (27,716 )   $
47,749
    $
4,152
    $
    $
24,185
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
                                       
Purchase of property and equipment
   
      (22,415 )     (2,466 )    
      (24,881 )
Transferred assets
   
     
     
     
         
Proceeds from sale of equipment
   
     
358
     
13
     
     
371
 
Proceeds from note receivable
   
     
199
     
     
     
199
 
Acquisition of business
    (4 )     (110 )    
     
      (114 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (4 )     (21,968 )     (2,453 )    
      (24,425 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
                                       
Proceeds from debt
   
28,000
     
     
     
     
28,000
 
Principal payments on long-term debt
    (31,000 )     (63 )    
     
      (31,063 )
Intercompany receipts (advances)
   
32,295
      (30,219 )     (2,076 )    
         
Repurchase of parent company stock
    (158 )    
     
     
      (158 )
Deferred financing fees
    (1,417 )    
     
     
      (1,417 )
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities
   
27,720
      (30,282 )     (2,076 )    
      (4,638 )
Effect of exchange rate changes in cash
   
     
40
     
50
     
     
90
 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
   
      (4,461 )     (327 )    
      (4,788 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
   
     
6,813
     
1,856
     
     
8,669
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $
    $
2,352
    $
1,529
    $
    $
3,881
 

19



 
Some of the information in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this Form 10-Q, including, without limitation, certain statements under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” may constitute forward-looking statements. In some cases you can identify these “forward-looking statements” by words like “may,”  “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of those words and other comparable words.  These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties.  Our actual results could differ materially from those indicated in these statements as a result of certain factors as more fully discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in our annual report on Form 10-K filed on March 13, 2007 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (File No. 333-130470) for the Company’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.  The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included herein.
 
We undertake no obligation to update publicly or publicly revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
 
Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this Form 10-Q to “Accellent,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Accellent Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, which were acquired pursuant to the Transaction (as described below).
 
Overview
 
We believe that we are the largest provider of outsourced precision manufacturing and engineering services in our target markets of the medical device industry.  We offer our customers design and engineering, precision component manufacturing, device assembly and supply chain management services.  We have extensive resources focused on providing our customers with reliable, high quality, cost-efficient, integrated outsourced solutions.  Based on discussions with our customers, we believe we often become the sole supplier of manufacturing and engineering services for the products we provide to our customers.
 
We primarily focus on the leading companies in three large and growing markets within the medical device industry: cardiology, endoscopy and orthopaedics.  Our customers include many of the leading medical device companies, including Abbott Laboratories, Boston Scientific, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, Smith & Nephew, St. Jude Medical, Stryker, Covidien and Zimmer.  While net sales are aggregated by us to the ultimate parent of a customer, we typically generate diversified revenue streams from these large customers across separate divisions and multiple products.  During the first nine months of 2007, our top 10 customers accounted for approximately 55.1% of net sales with two customers each accounting for greater than 10% of net sales.  Although we expect net sales from our largest customers to continue to constitute a significant portion of our net sales in the future, Boston Scientific has transferred a number of products assembled by us to its own assembly operation.  This transfer was essentially complete as of the end of our second quarter of 2006.  Our 2007 net sales to Boston Scientific relating to the transferred products have decreased by approximately $11 million compared to 2006.
 
On November 22, 2005, we completed our merger with Accellent Acquisition Corp., or AAC, an entity controlled by affiliates of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P., or KKR, pursuant to which Accellent Merger Sub Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of AAC, merged with and into Accellent Inc., with Accellent Inc. being the surviving entity (the “Transaction”).
 
Our Orthopaedics reporting unit experienced a decline in net sales during the fourth quarter of 2006.  Management initially expected this reporting unit to recover during the first half of 2007.  However, during the first quarter of 2007, continued weakness in new product launches by our customers within the Orthopaedic market resulted in lower than planned Orthopaedics net sales, and an operating loss for this reporting unit.  In addition, an internal financial forecast  was completed during April 2007, indicating that the recovery in Orthopaedics net sales and operating profitability would take longer than originally anticipated during fiscal 2006.  We determined that an evaluation of potential impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets for the Orthopaedic reporting unit was required as of March 31, 2007 in accordance with the requirements of SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (SFAS 142) and SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets” (SFAS 144).  As a result of these impairment tests, we recorded an impairment charge of $82.3 million in the first half of 2007.
 

20


Results of Operations
 
The following table sets forth percentages derived from the consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, presented as a percentage of net sales.
 
   
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30, 2007
   
September 30, 2006
   
September 30, 2007
   
September 30, 2006
 
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
                       
Net Sales
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
Cost of Sales
   
75.3
     
70.2
     
74.0
     
70.9
 
Gross Profit
   
24.7
     
29.8
     
26.0
     
29.1
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
   
12.1
     
11.2
     
11.0
     
12.7
 
Research and Development Expenses
   
0.5
     
0.8
     
0.6
     
0.8
 
Restructuring Charges
   
     
0.9
     
0.2
     
1.0
 
Amortization of Intangibles
   
3.1
     
3.6
     
3.4
     
3.5
 
Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets
   
     
     
23.5
     
 
(Loss) income from Operations
    (9.0 )     (13.3 )     (12.7 )    
11.1
 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2007 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2006
 
Net Sales
 
Net sales for the third quarter of 2007 were $119.4 million, a decrease of $0.5 million, or 0.4%, compared to net sales of $119.9 million for the third quarter of 2006. The decrease in net sales is the result of the Boston Scientific transfers which decreased net sales by $0.8 million, lower sales volumes of $0.4 million and lower selling prices of $0.7 million.  These decreases were partially offset by $0.9 million in higher precious metals pass-through charges to our customers, and $0.5 million of favorable currency translation on foreign net sales.   Sales were approximately the same as last year to each of our three target markets.  Sequentially, sales in the third quarter 2007 were 0.3% higher than the second quarter of 2007.  Generally we expect gradual sales growth as markets return to historic growth trends.  Two customers, Johnson & Johnson and Medtronic, each accounted for greater than 10% of net sales for the third quarter of 2007.
 
Gross Profit
 
Gross profit for the third quarter of 2007 was $29.5 million compared to $35.8 million for the third quarter of 2006.  The $6.3 million decrease in gross profit was a result of a less favorable product mix which decreased gross profit by approximately $2.1 million, a decrease in selling prices which reduced gross profit by approximately $0.7 million and increases in our manufacturing costs of approximately $3.5 million.  The increase in manufacturing costs was primarily due to higher depreciation cost of approximately $0.6 million and decreases in labor and materials efficiencies.  These increases were partially offset by $0.2 million in favorable currency translation on foreign net sales.
 

21

 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
 
Selling, general and administrative, or SG&A, expenses were $14.4 million for the third quarter of 2007 compared to $13.4 million for the third quarter of 2006.  The $1.0 million increase in SG&A expenses was primarily due to an increase in non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $0.7 million.  During the third quarter of 2006, we determined that the achievement of performance targets required for certain stock options to vest was not probable, resulting in the reversal of $1.7 million of previously expensed non-cash stock–based compensation.  We recorded $0.8 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense for our time-based stock options, resulting in a net reduction of non-cash stock-based compensation of $0.9 million during the third quarter of 2006.  In the third quarter of 2007 non-cash stock-based compensation reduced expense by $0.2 million due to a reduction of previously expensed amounts for terminated employees. Additionally, compensation related costs are higher by $0.5 million.  In 2006 we incurred $0.5 million in costs for a transaction that did not consummate.
 
Research and Development Expenses
 
Research and development, or R&D, expenses for the third quarter of 2007 were $0.6  million compared to $0.9  million for the third quarter of 2006, primarily due to higher research material costs in the 2006 period.
 
Restructuring  Charges
 
During the third quarter of 2007, we recovered $7,000 of restructuring charges resulting from certain severance accrual adjustments for restructuring actions taken in prior periods and completed during the quarter.
 
We recognized $1.2 million of restructuring charges during the third quarter of 2006 which consisted almost entirely of severance costs.  These severance costs included $0.3 million for the elimination of 147 manufacturing positions in the Company’s Juarez, Mexico facility due to the expiration of a customer contract, $0.8 million to eliminate 21 positions in both manufacturing and administrative areas as part of a company-wide program to reduce costs and centralize certain administrative functions and $0.1 million to record retention bonuses related to facility closures.
 
All restructuring related costs incurred during the third quarter of 2007 and 2006 were recorded in accordance with the guidance of SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities,” (SFAS 146).

Amortization
 
Amortization of intangible assets was $3.7 million for the third quarter of 2007 compared to $4.3 million for the third quarter of 2006.  The reduction was a result of the impairment of certain intangible assets recorded during the first half of 2007, which reduced the amount of assets subject to periodic amortization.
 
Interest Expense, net
 
Interest expense, net, increased $0.5 million to $17.2 million for the third quarter of 2007, compared to $16.7 million for the second quarter of 2006.  The increase was primarily the result of higher interest rates on our senior secured credit facility (the “Amended Credit Agreement”).
 
On April 27, 2007, the Company and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent for the lenders under the Credit Agreement, entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Credit Agreement.  The Amendment increases the maximum Leverage Ratio and decreases the minimum Coverage Ratio, as well as increases interest rates charged on both term loans and revolving credit loans under the Credit Agreement.  The Amendment was effective April 27, 2007.  The interest rate on the term loan portion of the Credit Agreement increased by 0.5%, and interest rate on the revolving credit portion of the Credit Agreement increased by 0.25% as a result of the Amendment.
 
22

 
Loss on Derivative Instruments
 
We have entered into interest rate swap and collar agreements to reduce our exposure to variable interest rates on our term loan under our Amended Credit Agreement.  During the third quarter of 2007, we realized  $0.1 million of losses on our derivative instruments.  During the third quarter of 2006, we incurred $4.3 million of losses on our derivative instrument, which was comprised of $4.6 million of unrealized losses and $0.3 million of realized gains  Our interest rate swap contract was redesignated as a cash flow hedge during the fourth quarter of 2006, therefore changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap during the third quarter of 2007 have been recorded as a component of other comprehensive loss.
 
Income Tax Expense
 
Income tax expense for the third quarter of 2007 was $1.2 million and included $0.7 million of deferred income taxes for the difference between book and tax treatment of goodwill and $0.5 million of foreign income taxes.  Income tax expense for the third quarter of 2006 was $1.3 million and included $0.7 million of non-cash deferred income taxes for the different book and tax treatment for goodwill, $0.2 million of foreign income taxes and $0.4 million of state income taxes.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 Compared to nine Months Ended September 30, 2006

Net Sales
 
Net sales for the nine months ending September 30, 2007 were $350.0 million, a decrease of $16.3 million, or 4.5%, compared to net sales of $366.3 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2006. The decrease in net sales is the result of Boston Scientific product transfers which decreased net sales by $11.1 million, $7.2 million decrease in sales volume, primarily in the orthopaedic market and lower selling prices of $1.8 million.  These decreases were partially offset by $2.2 million in higher precious metals pass-through charges to our customers, and $1.6 million of favorable currency translation on foreign net sales.  Two customers, Johnson & Johnson and Medtronic, each accounted for greater than 10% of net sales for the first three quarters of 2007.
 
Gross Profit
 
Gross profit for the first nine months of 2007 was $91.0 million compared to $106.6 million for the first nine months of 2006.  The $15.6 million decrease in gross profit was a result of a less favorable product mix which decreased gross profit by approximately $10.1 million, a decrease in sales volume which reduced gross profit by approximately $6.2 million, and lower selling prices that reduced gross margin by approximately $1.8 million.  Partially offsetting these were decreases in manufacturing costs of approximately $2.5 million.  The decrease in manufacturing costs was the result of approximately $6.4 million of incremental expense recorded during the first half of 2006 for the step-up of inventory acquired in the Transactions and $0.6 million of favorable currency translation on foreign net sales.  These decreases are partially offset by $1.8 million of increased depreciation expense, approximately $0.7 million to transfer production of certain products within our manufacturing facilities, approximately $0.4 million of employment grants received in the 2006 period which offset production costs in that period and other net cost increases of approximately $1.6 million.
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
 
Selling, general and administrative, or SG&A, expenses were $38.6  million for the first nine months of 2007 compared to $46.7 million for the first nine months of 2006.   The $8.1 million decrease in SG&A expenses was primarily due to a reduction in non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $7.0 million primarily related to the decreases in the value of Accellent Holdings Corp common stock in 2007.  Additionally compensation related expense was lower by $0.8 million.  The reduction in non-cash stock-based compensation expense includes a $4.0 million credit recorded for non-cash stock-based compensation during the first nine months of 2007 to reflect the decrease in fair value of our liability for certain stock options rolled over by management in the Transaction.  The liability for these stock options decreased due to the decrease in fair value of Accellent Holdings Corp. common stock from $5.00 per share at December 31, 2006 to $4.00 a share at September 30, 2007.  Additionally  stock-based compensation expense in 2007 includes a credit of $0.8 million related to the impact of employee terminations.  Our SG&A costs for the first nine months of 2006 included $2.2 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense relating primarily to our time-based stock options.
 
23

 
Research and Development Expenses
 
Research and development, or R&D, expenses for the first nine months of 2007 were $1.9  million compared to $2.8  million for the first nine months of 2006, primarily due to a $0.5 million reduction in research material costs and a $0.4 million reduction in compensation related costs.
 
Restructuring Charges
 
We recognized $0.7 million of restructuring charges during the first nine months of 2007 consisting almost entirely of severance costs to eliminate 18 positions in manufacturing and administrative areas as part of a company-wide program to reduce costs and centralize certain administrative functions.
 
We recognized $3.5 million of restructuring charges during the first nine months of 2006, including $2.8 million of severance costs and $0.7 million of other exit costs.  Severance costs include $1.9 million for the elimination of 58 positions in both manufacturing and administrative areas as part of a company-wide program to reduce costs and centralize certain administrative functions, $0.7 million for the elimination of 317 manufacturing positions in the Company’s Juarez, Mexico facility due to the expiration of a customer contract, and $0.2 million to record retention bonuses related to facility closures.  Other exit costs relate primarily to the cost to transfer production from former MedSource facilities that are closing to other existing facilities of the Company.
 
 
The following table summarizes the recorded accruals and activity related to restructuring for the first nine months of 2007 (in thousands):
 
   
Severance
   
Other
Costs
   
Total
 
Balance as of December 31, 2006
  $
1,737
    $
191
    $
1,928
 
Restructuring charges incurred
   
684
     
24
     
708
 
Restructuring benefits realized
    (7 )    
 
      (7 )
Payments
    (2,078 )     (146 )     (2,224 )
Balance as of September 30, 2007
  $
336
    $
69
    $
405
 

 
All restructuring related costs incurred during the first nine months of 2007 and 2006 were recorded in accordance with the guidance of SFAS No. 146.
 
Amortization
 
Amortization of intangible assets was $11.8 million for the first nine months of 2007 compared to $12.9 million for the first nine months of 2006.  The reduction was a result of the impairment of certain intangible assets recorded during the first half of 2007, which reduced the amount of assets subject to periodic amortization.
 
Impairment of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
 
We tested the long-lived assets of our Orthopaedic reporting unit for recoverability as of March 31, 2007 and determined that the Customer Base and Developed Technology intangible assets were not recoverable since the expected future undiscounted cash flows attributable to each asset were below their respective carrying values.  In accordance with SFAS 144, we then determined the fair value of these intangible assets to be below their respective carrying values.  We utilized the services of a third party valuation specialist to assist in the determination of fair value for each intangible.  The fair value of the Customer Base intangible was determined to be $7.6 million using an excess earnings approach.  The carrying value of the Customer Base intangible was $37.7 million, resulting in an impairment charge of $30.1 million.  The fair value of the Developed Technology intangible asset was determined to be $0.4 million using the relief from royalty method.  The carrying value of the Developed Technology intangible was $0.6 million, resulting in an impairment charge of $0.2 million.
 
24

 
In accordance with the requirements of SFAS 142, we tested goodwill and other indefinite life intangible assets related to our Orthopaedic reporting unit for impairment as of March 31, 2007.  We determined the value of the Orthopaedics reporting unit using the assistance of a third party valuation specialist.  The fair value of the reporting unit was based on both an income approach and market approach, and was determined to be below its carrying value.  We then determined the implied fair value of goodwill by determining the fair value of all the assets and liabilities of the Orthopaedics reporting unit.  As a result of this process, we determined that the fair value of goodwill for the Orthopaedics reporting unit was $50.0 million.  The carrying value of Orthopaedics goodwill was $98.4 million, resulting in an impairment charge of $48.4 million.  In addition, our Trademark intangible asset, which has an indefinite life, was revalued in accordance with SFAS 142 using a relief from royalty method, and the assistance of a third party valuation specialist.  The fair value of the Trademark was determined to be $29.4  million.  The carrying value of the Trademark was $33.0 million, resulting in an impairment charge of $3.6  million.  We recorded an impairment charge of $1.3 million for the second quarter of 2007 to revise the impairment charge to the final determined amount.
 
A summary of all charges for the impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets for our first nine months of 2007 is as follows (in thousands):
 
Intangible Asset
 
Carrying Value
   
Fair Value
   
Impairment
 
                   
Goodwill
  $ 98,431     $ 50,045     $ 48,386  
Trademark
   
33,000
     
29,400
     
3,600
 
Customer Base
   
37,745
     
7,600
     
30,145
 
Developed Technology
   
579
     
370
     
209
 
  Total
  $ 169,755     $ 87,415     $ 82,340  

Interest Expense, net
 
Interest expense, net, increased $1.2 million to $50.1 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2007, compared to $48.8 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2006.  The increase was primarily the result of higher interest rates on our Amended Credit Agreement.
 
Gain (Loss)  on Derivative Instruments
 
We have entered into interest rate swap and collar agreements to reduce our exposure to variable interest rates on our term loan under our Amended Credit Agreement.  During the first nine months of 2007, we realized  $0.1 million of losses on our derivative instruments.  During the first nine months of 2006, we recorded a gain of $1.8 million on our derivative instruments, comprised of $1.5 million of unrealized gains and $0.3 million of realized gains in the change in fair value of the instrument.  Our interest rate swap contract was redesignated as a cash flow hedge during the fourth quarter of 2006, therefore changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap during the first half of 2007 have been recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss).
 
Income Tax Expense
 
Income tax expense for the first nine months of 2007 was $2.9 million and included $2.2 million of deferred income taxes for the difference between book and tax treatment of goodwill, $1.7 million of foreign income taxes and $0.3 million of state income taxes.  These income tax expenses were partially offset by a deferred tax credit of $1.3 million due to the impairment charge of $3.6 million recorded for our Trademark intangible asset.   Income tax expense for the first nine months of 2006 was $4.1 million and included $2.2 million of non-cash deferred income taxes for the different book and tax treatment for goodwill, $1.0 million of foreign income taxes and $0.9 million of state income taxes.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Our principal sources of liquidity are our cash flows from operations and borrowings under our Amended Credit Agreement, entered into in conjunction with the Transaction and subsequently amended, which includes a $75.0 million revolving credit facility and a seven-year $400.0 million term facility.  Additionally, we are able to borrow up to $100.0 million in additional term loans, with the approval of participating lenders.
 
At September 30, 2007, we had $5.9 million of letters of credit outstanding and $14.0 million of outstanding loans which reduced the amounts available under the revolving credit portion of our Amended Credit Agreement resulting in $55.1 million available under the revolving credit facility.
 
25

 
During the first nine months of 2007, cash provided by operating activities was $13.9 million compared to $24.2 million for the first nine months of 2006.  The decrease in cash provided by operations is primarily due to lower operating profits, partially offset by $4.0 million in change in working capital, resulting from lower payments for restructuring costs.
 
During the first nine months of 2007, cash used in investing activities totaled $18.6 million compared to $24.4 million for the first nine months of 2006.  The decrease in cash used in investing activities was attributable to lower capital spending during the first nine months of 2007.  Capital expenditures during the first nine months of 2007 included $2.3 million for the implementation of the Oracle enterprise resource planning system, or ERP system, throughout our entire business, compared to $3.4 million in the same period of 2006.  Capital expenditures are also lower than last year due to completion of large projects in 2006 and efforts to tightly manage spending in 2007.
 
 Our Amended Credit Agreement contains restrictions on our ability to make capital expenditures.  Based on current estimates, management believes that the amount of capital expenditures permitted to be made under our Amended Credit Agreement will be adequate to grow our business according to our business strategy and to maintain our continuing operations.
 
During the first nine months of 2007, cash provided by financing activities was $6.3 million compared to $4.6 million of cash used in the first nine months of 2006.  The increase was primarily due to $11.0 million in increased net borrowings on the revolving credit portion of our Amended Credit Agreement.
 
Our debt agreements contain various covenants, including a maximum ratio of consolidated net debt to consolidated adjusted EBITDA (“Leverage Ratio”) and a minimum ratio of consolidated adjusted EBITDA to consolidated interest expense (“Coverage Ratio”).  Both of these ratios are calculated at the end of each fiscal quarter based on our trailing twelve month financial results.  On April 27, 2007, the Company and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent for the lenders under the Amended Credit Agreement, entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Credit Agreement.  The Amendment increases the maximum Leverage Ratio and decreases the minimum Coverage Ratio, as well as increases interest rates charged on both term loans and revolving credit loans under the Amended Credit Agreement.  The Amendment was effective April 27, 2007.
 
As a result of the Amendment, the Leverage Ratio may not exceed 8.50 to 1.00 through the quarter ended September 30, 2008, 8.00 to 1.00 for the next four quarters, declines thereafter by 1.00x on an annual basis until September 30, 2012 and declines to 4.50 to 1.00 on October 1, 2012.  The Coverage Ratio is amended to not be less than 1.25 to 1.00 through the quarter ended September 30, 2008, and increases on October 1 of each year through 2012 commencing October 1, 2008 to 1.35x, 1.55x, 1.75x, 2.00x and 2.10x.
 
In addition, the Amendment provides that for the revolving credit portion of the facility (i) for so long as the Leverage Ratio exceeds 8.00 to 1.00, the “Applicable Rate” as defined under the facility would be equal to 1.75% for ABR Loans and Swingline Loans and 2.75% for Eurodollar Loans (each as defined under the facility), with a 0.50% fee for undrawn commitments, (ii) for so long as the Leverage Ratio exceeds 7.00 to 1.00 but is equal to or less than 8.00 to 1.00, the Applicable Rate would be equal to 1.50% for ABR Loans and Swingline Loans and 2.50% for Eurodollar Loans, with a 0.50% fee for undrawn commitments and (iii) in all other cases the Applicable Rate and commitment fees are as currently provided for in the original facility.  The Amendment also provides that for the term loan portion of the facility (i) for so long as the Leverage Ratio exceeds 8.00 to 1.00, the Applicable Rate is equal to 1.75% for ABR Loans and 2.75% for Eurodollar Loans, (ii) for so long as the Leverage Ratio exceeds 6.00 to 1.00 but is equal to or less than 8.00 to 1.00 the Applicable Rate is equal to 1.50% for ABR Loans and 2.50% for Eurodollar Loans and (iii) for so long as the Leverage Ratio is equal to or less than 6.00 to 1.00 the Applicable Rate would be equal to 1.25% for ABR Loans and 2.25% for Eurodollar Loans.
 
In connection with the amendment, we paid approximately $1.7 million of fees to the lenders under the facility, inclusive of reimbursement of lender expenses.
 
Our ability to make payments on our indebtedness and to fund planned capital expenditures and necessary working capital will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future.  This, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control.  Based on our current level of operations, we believe our cash flow from operations and available borrowings under our senior secured credit facility will be adequate to meet our liquidity requirements for the next 12 months. However, no assurance can be given that this will be the case.
 
26

 
Other Key Indicators of Financial Condition and Operating Performance
 
EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and the related ratios presented in this Form 10-Q are supplemental measures of our performance that are not required by, or presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP.  EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measurements of our financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to net income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP, or as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities as a measure of our liquidity.
 
EBITDA represents net income (loss) before net interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA further adjusted to give effect to unusual items, non-cash items and other adjustments, all of which are required in calculating covenant ratios and compliance under the indenture governing the senior subordinated notes and under our senior secured credit facility.
 
We believe that the inclusion of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA in this Form 10-Q is appropriate to provide additional information to investors and debt holders about the calculation of certain financial covenants in the indenture governing the senior subordinated notes and under our Amended Credit Agreement.  Adjusted EBITDA is a material component of these covenants.  For instance, the indenture governing the senior subordinated notes and our Amended Credit Agreement contain financial covenant ratios, specifically total leverage and interest coverage ratios that are calculated by reference to Adjusted EBITDA.  Non-compliance with the financial ratio maintenance covenants contained in our Amended Credit Agreement could result in the requirement to immediately repay all amounts outstanding under such facility, while non-compliance with the debt incurrence ratios contained in the indenture governing the senior subordinated notes would prohibit us from being able to incur additional indebtedness other than pursuant to specified exceptions.
 
We also present EBITDA because we consider it an important supplemental measure of our performance and believe it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of high yield issuers, many of which present EBITDA when reporting their results.  Measures similar to EBITDA are also widely used by us and others in our industry to evaluate and price potential acquisition candidates.  We believe EBITDA facilitates operating performance comparison from period to period and company to company by backing out potential differences caused by variations in capital structures (affecting relative interest expense), tax positions (such as the impact on periods or companies of changes in effective tax rates or net operating losses) and the age and book depreciation of facilities and equipment (affecting relative depreciation expense).
 
In calculating Adjusted EBITDA, as permitted by the terms of our indebtedness, we eliminate the impact of a number of items we do not consider indicative of our ongoing operations and for the other reasons noted above.  For the reasons indicated herein, you are encouraged to evaluate each adjustment and whether you consider it appropriate.  In addition, in evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses similar to the adjustments in the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA.  Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.
 
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider them in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:
 
 
·
they do not reflect our cash expenditures for capital expenditure or contractual commitments;
 
 
·
they do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital requirements;
 
 
·
they do not reflect the significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our indebtedness;
 
 
·
although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect cash requirements for such replacements;
 
 
·
Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the impact of earnings or charges resulting from matters we consider not to be indicative of our ongoing operations, as discussed in our presentation of “Adjusted EBITDA” in this report; and
 
 
·
other companies, including other companies in our industry, may calculate these measures differently than we do, limiting their usefulness as a comparative measure.
 
Because of these limitations, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as measures of discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business or reduce our indebtedness.  We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and using EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA only supplementally.  For more information, see our consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements included elsewhere in this report.
 
27

 
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA for the periods indicated (in thousands):
 
   
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30, 2007
   
September 30, 2006
   
September 30, 2007
   
September 30,2006
 
RECONCILIATION OF NET LOSS TO EBITDA:
                       
Net loss
  $ (8,132 )   $ (6,457 )   $ (97,968 )   $ (10,883 )
Interest expense, net
   
17,165
     
16,692
     
50,079
     
48,764
 
Income tax expense
   
1,212
     
1,279
     
2,897
     
4,144
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
8,802
     
8,642
     
26,537
     
25,295
 
EBITDA
  $
19,047
    $
20,156
    $ (18,455 )   $
67,320
 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of EBITDA to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods indicated (in thousands):
 
   
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30, 2007
   
September 30, 2006
   
September 30, 2007
   
September 30, 2006
 
EBITDA
  $
19,047
    $
20,156
    $ (18,455 )   $
67,320
 
Adjustments:
                               
Goodwill and intangible asset impairment charge
   
     
     
82,340
     
 
Restructuring and other charges
    (7 )    
1,154
     
701
     
3,452
 
Stock-based compensation — employees
    (151 )     (928 )     (4,912 )    
2,332
 
Stock-based compensation — non-employees
   
480
             
1,521
     
 
Employee severance and relocation
   
792
     
187
     
1,228
     
361
 
Chief executive recruiting costs
   
     
     
225
     
 
Impact of inventory step-up related to inventory sold
   
     
     
     
6,422
 
Currency transaction loss
   
404
     
195
     
552
     
488
 
Loss (gain) on derivative instruments
   
122
     
4,260
     
64
      (1,840 )
Loss (gain) on sale of property and equipment
   
34
      (8 )    
4
     
166
 
Transaction expenses
   
     
456
     
     
456
 
Management fees to stockholder
   
291
     
257
     
902
     
769
 
Adjusted EBITDA
  $
21,012
    $
25,729
    $
64,170
    $
79,926
 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
We do not have any “off-balance sheet arrangements” (as such term is defined in Item 303 of Regulation S-K) that are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
 
28

Contractual Obligations and Commitments
 
The following table sets forth our long-term contractual obligations as of September 30, 2007 (in thousands):
 
   
Payment due by period
 
   
Total
   
Less than
1 year
   
1-3 years
   
3-5 years
   
More than
5 years
 
Senior secured credit facility (1)
  $
575,022
    $
36,386
    $
71,816
    $
89,504
    $
377,316
 
Senior subordinated notes (1)
   
505,334
     
32,470
     
64,939
     
64,940
     
342,985
 
Capital leases
   
10
     
8
     
2
     
     
 
Operating leases
   
45,677
     
6,197
     
11,848
     
11,038
     
16,594
 
Purchase obligations (2)
   
24,312
     
24,312
     
     
     
 
Other long-term obligations (3)
   
34,361
     
2,033
     
496
     
8,350
     
23,482
 
Total
  $
1,184,716
    $
101,406
    $
149,101
    $
173,832
    $
760,377
 
 
(1)
Includes principal and interest payments.
 
(2)
Purchase obligations consist of commitments for material, supplies and machinery and equipment incident to the ordinary conduct of business.
 
(3)
Other long-term obligations includes share-based payment obligations of $9.7 million, environmental remediation obligations of $3.7 million, accrued compensation and pension benefits of $3.0 million, deferred income taxes of $16.1 million, accrued swap liability of $1.2 million, and other obligations of $0.7 million.
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial statements.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  We base our estimates on historical experience, current conditions and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.  Estimates and assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis and the effects of revisions are reflected in the unaudited consolidated financial statements in the period they are determined to be necessary.  Actual results could differ materially from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions.  We believe the following critical accounting policies impact our judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
 
Revenue Recognition.  The amount of product revenue recognized in a given period is impacted by our judgments made in establishing our reserve for potential future product returns.  We provide a reserve for our estimate of future returns against revenue in the period the revenue is recorded.  Our estimate of future returns is based on such factors as historical return data and current economic condition of our customer base.  The amount of revenue we recognize will be directly impacted by our estimates made to establish the reserve for potential future product returns.  To date, the amount of estimated returns has not been material to total net revenues.  Our allowance for sales returns was $0.8 million and $1.1 million at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.
 
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts.  We estimate the collectibility of our accounts receivable and the related amount of bad debts that may be incurred in the future.  The allowance for doubtful accounts results from an analysis of specific customer accounts, historical experience, credit ratings and current economic trends.  Based on this analysis, we provide allowances for specific accounts where a loss is probable.  Our allowance for doubtful accounts was $0.6 million and $0.9 million at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.
 
Provision for Inventory Valuation.  Inventory purchases and commitments are based upon future demand forecasts. Excess and obsolete inventory are valued at their net realizable value, which may be zero.  We periodically experience variances between the amount of inventory purchased and contractually committed to and our demand forecasts, resulting in excess and obsolete inventory valuation charges.
 
Valuation of Goodwill, Trade Names and Trademarks.  Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in business combinations.  Goodwill and certain of our other intangible assets, specifically trade names and trademarks, have indefinite lives.  In accordance with SFAS No. 142, goodwill and our other indefinite life intangible assets are assigned to the operating segment expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination.  We have assigned our goodwill and other indefinite life intangible assets to three operating segments.  Goodwill and other indefinite life intangible assets are subject to an annual impairment test, or more often if impairment indicators arise, using a fair-value-based approach.  In assessing the fair value of goodwill and other indefinite life intangible assets, we make projections regarding future cash flow and other estimates, and may utilize third-party appraisal services.  If these projections or other estimates for one or all of these reporting units change, we may be required to record an impairment charge.  We performed an interim impairment test on the goodwill and other indefinite life intangible assets during the first half of 2007, and as a result, recorded an impairment charge of $52.0 million.  
29

 
Valuation of Long-lived Assets.  Long-lived assets are comprised of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets with finite lives.  We assess the impairment of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable through projected undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset.  When we determine that the carrying value of intangible assets and fixed assets may not be recoverable, we measure impairment by the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds the related fair value.  Estimated fair value is generally based on projections of future cash flows and other estimates, and guidance from third-party appraisal services.  We performed an interim impairment test on certain Orthopaedic reporting unit intangible assets during the first half of 2007, and as a result, recorded an impairment charge of $30.3 million.
 
Self Insurance Reserves.  We accrue for costs to provide self-insured benefits under our workers’ compensation and employee health benefits programs.  With the assistance of third-party workers’ compensation experts, we determine the accrual for workers’ compensation losses based on estimated costs to resolve each claim.  We accrue for self-insured health benefits based on historical claims experience.  We maintain insurance coverage to prevent financial losses from catastrophic workers’ compensation or employee health benefit claims.  Our financial position or results of operations could be materially impacted in a fiscal quarter due to a material increase in claims.  Our accruals for self-insured workers’ compensation and employee health benefits at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were $3.7 million and $3.1 million, respectively.
 
Environmental Reserves.  We accrue for environmental remediation costs when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and a reasonable estimate of the liability can be made.  Our remediation cost estimates are based on the facts known at the current time including consultation with a third-party environmental specialist and external legal counsel.  Changes in environmental laws, improvements in remediation technology and discovery of additional information concerning known or new environmental matters could affect our operating results.
 
Pension and Other Employee Benefits.  Certain assumptions are used in the calculation of the actuarial valuation of our defined benefit pension plans.  These assumptions include the weighted average discount rate, rates of increase in compensation levels and expected long-term rates of return on assets.  If actual results are less favorable than those projected by management, additional expense may be required.
 
Share Based Payments.  We adopted SFAS 123R on January 1, 2006 using the modified prospective transition method, which requires that we record stock compensation expense for all unvested and new awards as of the adoption date.  Accordingly, prior period amounts have not been restated.  Under the fair value provisions of SFAS 123R, stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period.  Determining the fair value of stock-based awards at the grant date requires considerable judgment, including estimating the expected term of stock options, expected volatility of the underlying stock, and the number of stock-based awards expected to be forfeited due to future terminations.  In addition, for stock-based awards where vesting is dependent upon achieving certain operating performance goals, we estimate the likelihood of achieving the performance goals.  Differences between actual results and these estimates could have a material impact on our financial results.
 
Income Taxes.  We estimate our income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate.  This process involves estimating our actual current tax exposure together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items, such as goodwill amortization, for tax and accounting purposes.  These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within our consolidated balance sheet.  We then assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and, to the extent we believe that recovery is not likely, we establish a valuation allowance.  To the extent we establish a valuation allowance or increase this allowance in a period, we increase or decrease our income tax provision in our consolidated statement of operations.  If any of our estimates of our prior period taxable income or loss prove to be incorrect, material differences could impact the amount and timing of income tax benefits or payments for any period.
 
We also provide liabilities for uncertain tax positions in accordance with the requirements of FASB Interpretation No. 48, or FIN 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.”  FIN 48 requires that we evaluate positions taken or expected to be taken in our income tax filings in all jurisdictions where we are required to file, and provide a liability for any positions that do not meet a “more likely than not” of being sustained if examined by tax authorities.  At January 1, 2007, we had $3.5 million accrued for uncertain tax positions, and we expect this liability to increase by approximately $0.3 million by December 31, 2007.
 
Hedge Accounting.  We use derivative instruments, including interest rate swaps and collars to reduce our risk to variable interest rates on our senior secured credit facility.  We have documented our swap agreement as a cash flow hedge in accordance with the requirements of SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.”  As a result, changes in the fair value of our swap agreement are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings as the underlying hedged item affects earnings.  Our swap agreement will continue to qualify for this hedge accounting treatment as long as the hedge meets certain effectiveness criteria.  We determine the effectiveness of this hedge using the Hypothetical Derivative Method as described in the Derivative Implementation Group Issue No. G-7 (“DIG G-7”).  DIG G-7 requires that we create a hypothetical derivative with terms that match our underlying debt agreement.  To the extent that changes in the fair value of the hypothetical derivative mirror changes in the fair value of the swap agreement, the hedge will be considered effective.  The fair values of the swap agreement and hypothetical derivative are based on a discounted cash flow model which contains a number of variables including estimated future interest rates, projected reset dates, and projected notional amounts.  A material change in these assumptions could cause our hedge to be considered ineffective.  If our swap agreement is no longer treated as a hedge, we would be required to record the change in fair value of the swap agreement in our results of operations.
 
30

 
New Accounting Pronouncements
 
On July 13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation No. 48, or FIN 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.” FIN 48 provides a standardized methodology to determine and disclose liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions.  We adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007 which increased our estimated tax liabilities by $0.5 million.  For a further discussion of FIN 48, see Note 8 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” (SFAS 157). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  The statement is effective January 1, 2008 and we will adopt the statement at that time.  We believe that the adoption of SFAS 157 will not have a material effect on our results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employer’s Accounting for Defined Pension and Other Postretirement Plans — an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R),” (SFAS 158).  SFAS 158 requires the recognition of the funded status of a benefit plan in the statement of financial position.  It also requires the recognition as a component of other comprehensive income, net of tax, of the gains or losses and prior service costs or credits that arise during the period but are not recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost pursuant to SFAS No. 87 or 106. The statement has also new provisions regarding the measurement date as well as certain disclosure requirements.  The statement is effective for our 2007 year end and we will adopt the statement at that time.  We believe that the adoption of SFAS 158 will not have a material effect on our results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
 
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — including an amendment of FASB No. 115,” (SFAS 159).  SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value.  This statement is effective for the first fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2007.  The Company is still evaluating the impact that the adoption of SFAS 159 will have on its results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
 
In September 2006, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements” (“SAB 108”). SAB 108 provides interpretative guidance on the process of quantifying financial statement misstatements and is effective for fiscal years ending after November 15, 2006.  The Company applied the provisions of SAB 108 beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2007 and there was no impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
 
Market Risk
 
We are subject to market risk associated with change in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.  We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
 
Interest Rate Risk
 
We are subject to market risk associated with change in the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and the Federal Funds Rate published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in connection with outstanding term loans under our senior secured credit facility for which we have an outstanding balance at September 30, 2007 of $393.0 million with an interest rate of 8.01%.  We have entered into interest rate swap and collar agreements to limit our exposure to variable interest rates.  At September 30, 2007, the notional amount of the swap contract was $250.0 million, and will decrease to $200.0 million on February 27, 2008, to $150.0 million on February 27, 2009 and to $125.0 million on February 27, 2010.  The swap contract will mature on November 27, 2010.  We will receive variable rate payments (equal to the three-month LIBOR rate) during the term of the swap contract and are obligated to pay fixed interest rate payments (4.85%) during the term of the contract.  At September 30, 2007, we also had an outstanding interest rate collar agreement to provide an interest rate ceiling and floor on a portion of our LIBOR-based variable rate debt.  At September 30, 2007, the notional amount of the collar contract in place was $100.0 million and will decrease to $75.0 million on February 27, 2008.  The collar contract will mature on February 27, 2009.  The Company will receive variable rate payments during the term of the collar contract when and if the three-month LIBOR rate exceeds the 5.84% ceiling.  The Company will make variable rate payments during the term of the collar contract when and if the three-month LIBOR rate is below the 3.98% floor.  During the period when our interest rate swap and collar agreements are in place, a 1% change in interest rates would result in a change in interest expense of approximately $2.0 million per year.  Upon the expiration of the swap agreement, a 1% change in interest rates would result in change in interest of approximately $4 million per year.
 
Foreign Currency Risk
 
We operate several facilities in foreign countries.  Our principal currency exposures relate to the Euro, British pound and Mexican peso.  We consider the currency risk to be low, as the majority of the transactions at these locations are denominated in the local currency.
 
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Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.  We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms, and that information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  Based on our management’s evaluation (with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer), as of September 30, 2007, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) are effective.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. We are in the process of implementing the Oracle ERP system throughout the entire company.  During the third quarter of 2007, we completed the seventh manufacturing location implementation of Oracle.  The implementation of Oracle during the third quarter of 2007 modified our existing controls to conform to the Oracle ERP system.
 
There were no additional changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during our first fiscal quarter that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
 
On July 23, 2007, we were notified by the Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future and Montgomery Neighbors for a Clean Environment of their intent to file a citizen suit against us and an unrelated party based upon alleged violations of the Pennsylvania Hazardous Site Cleanup Act.  To date, no such suit has been filed.  Furthermore, on November 6, 2007, People for Clean Air and Water announced that they had filed a citizen suit against the Company and two unrelated parties based upon alleged violations of the United States Clean Air Act.  To date, the Company has not been served in connection with such suit.  The alleged violations relate to the emission of trichloroethylene (“TCE”) by our facility in Collegeville, Pennsylvania.  Such emissions are authorized by permit.  We believe that we have complied with all applicable emission limits for TCE,  and we intend to vigorously defend any action that may be filed in this regard.
 
In a separate matter, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”) has filed a petition for review with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit challenging recent amendments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) National Air Emissions Standards for hazardous air pollutants from halogenated solvent cleaning operations.  These revised standards exempt three industry sectors (aerospace, narrow tube manufacturers and facilities that use continuous web-cleaning and halogenated solvent cleaning machines) from facility emission limits for TCE and other degreaser emissions.  The EPA has agreed to reconsider the exemption.  Our Collegeville facility meets current EPA control standards for TCE emissions and is exempt from the new lower TCE emission limit since we manufacture narrow tubes.  Nevertheless, we have begun to implement a process that will reduce our TCE emissions from the Collegeville facility.  However, this process will not reduce our TCE emissions to the levels required by the new standard.  If the narrow tube exemption were no longer available to us, we may not be able to reduce our Collegeville facility TCE emissions to the levels required by the new EPA standard, resulting in a reduction in our ability to manufacture narrow tubes, which could have a material adverse impact on our financial position and results of operations.
 
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For a discussion of our potential risks or uncertainties, please see Part I, Item 1A, of Accellent Inc.’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Part I, Item 1A, of Accellent Inc.’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
 
No unregistered equity securities of the registrant were sold and no repurchases of equity securities were made during the three months ended September 30, 2007.
 
Our ability to pay dividends is restricted by our senior secured credit facility and the indenture governing the senior subordinated notes. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources” in Accellent Inc.’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
 
Not applicable.
 
 
Not applicable.
 
 
Not applicable.
 

 

 

33


 
Exhibit
Number
 
Description of Exhibits
31.1*
 
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Executive Chairman
31.2*
 
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
32.1*
 
Section 1350 Certification of Executive Chairman
32.2*
 
Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
 
*
Filed herewith.
 

34


 
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.
 
 
Accellent Inc.
 
     
     
November 13, 2007
By:
/s/  Kenneth W. Freeman
 
Kenneth W. Freeman
 
Executive Chairman
(Principal Executive Officer)

 
 
Accellent Inc.
 
     
     
November 13, 2007
By:
/s/  Jeremy A. Friedman
 
Jeremy A. Friedman
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

 

35


EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit
Number
 
Description of Exhibits
31.1*
 
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
31.2*
 
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
32.1*
 
Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
32.2*
 
Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
 
*
Filed herewith.
 

36