-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, D4TNwhDNNU7hAAyUklUAwxB/cEwG9h24GYZV1X9N8Ak6cVX4aAsHPpvH82N6L6tn Xg9Gaj9/7rC/tgef5mKU5w== 0000064892-04-000040.txt : 20041108 0000064892-04-000040.hdr.sgml : 20041108 20041108162933 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000064892-04-000040 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 11 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20040930 FILED AS OF DATE: 20041108 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20041108 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MENTOR CORP /MN/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000064892 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: ORTHOPEDIC, PROSTHETIC & SURGICAL APPLIANCES & SUPPLIES [3842] IRS NUMBER: 410950791 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MN FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-31744 FILM NUMBER: 041126086 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 201 MENTOR DR CITY: SANTA BARBARA STATE: CA ZIP: 93111 BUSINESS PHONE: 8058796000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 201 MENTOR DR CITY: SANTA BARBARA STATE: CA ZIP: 93111 10-Q 1 q22005.htm FORM 10-Q FOR PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2004 Mentor Corporation - 10-Q for Q2FY05 Financial Results

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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


For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2004

or

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

For the transition period from ____ to _____

Commission File No. 0-7955

MENTOR CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

  Minnesota

41-0950791

 
  (State or other jurisdiction of

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 
  incorporation or organization)    

 
201 Mentor Drive, Santa Barbara, California 93111
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number including area code:  805/879-6000

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 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 an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes x    No  o

As of November 5, 2004 there were approximately 42,796,358 Common Shares, par value $.10, outstanding.


 

MENTOR CORPORATION

INDEX

Part I. Financial Information

Item 1.

Financial Statements
 

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) – September 30, 2004 and March 31, 2004
 

Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) – Three Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003
 

Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) – Six Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003
 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) - Six Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003
 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – September 30, 2004
 

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures
 

Part II. Other Information

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings
 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 

Item 3.

Defaults upon Senior Securities
 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
 

Item 5.

Other Information
 

Item 6.

Exhibits

2


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Consolidated Financial Statements

Mentor Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

September 30, 2004

March 31,
2004

Assets

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

  Cash and cash equivalents

$        127,189

$        118,225

  Marketable securities

458

193

  Accounts receivable, net

102,967

106,016

  Inventories

73,449

67,912

  Deferred income taxes

23,838

22,488

  Prepaid expenses and other

16,750

13,205

Total current assets

344,651

328,039

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

74,641

77,529

Intangible assets, net

48,320

51,014

Goodwill, net

23,820

23,711

Long-term marketable securities and investments

35,194

8,326

Other assets

10,169

10,160

 

$        536,795

$        498,779

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

3


Mentor Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

September 30,
2004

March 31,
2004

Liabilities and shareholders' equity

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

  Accounts payable

$    32,429

$    37,126

  Warranty and related reserves

24,572

23,396

  Accrued compensation

19,547

18,212

  Short-term bank borrowings

9,385

10,012

  Sales returns

11,536

11,797

 Deferred revenue

11,654

6,915

  Income taxes payable

-  

285

  Current portion of purchase price related to acquired
      technologies and acquisitions

 

1,775

 

1,864

  Interest payable

1,021

1,187

  Dividends payable

7,260

6,309

  Accrued royalties

708

567

  Other

14,921

12,260

Total current liabilities

134,808

129,930

 

 

Deferred income taxes

2,569

2,549

Deferred revenue

1,977

-  

Long-term accrued liabilities

18,178

17,996

Convertible subordinated notes

150,000

150,000

 

 

 

Shareholders' equity:

 

 

  Common Stock, $.10 par value:

 

 

    Authorized - 150,000,000 shares; Issued and outstanding

 

 

    42,784,558 shares at September 30, 2004;

 

 

    42,059,136 shares at March 31, 2004;

4,278

4,206

  Capital in excess of par value

12,780

-   

 Accumulated other comprehensive income

20,649

19,122

  Retained earnings

191,556

174,976

 

229,263

198,304

 

    $    536,795

    $    498,779

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

4


Mentor Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Income
Three Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003
(Unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

(in thousands, except per share data)

2004

2003

 

 

Net sales

$       108,779 

$       93,263 

Cost of sales

40,638 

35,561 

Gross profit

68,141 

57,702 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expense

40,568 

33,899 

Research and development expense

8,553 

7,711 

 

49,121 

41,610 

 

 

 

Operating income

19,020 

16,092 

 Interest expense

(1,228)

(149)

 Interest income

533 

323 

 Other income, net

249 

Income before income taxes

18,330 

16,515 

Income taxes

5,796 

5,277 

Net income

$       12,534 

$       11,238 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

$          0.29 

$          0.24 

Diluted earnings per share

$          0.28 

$          0.23 

Dividends per share

$          0.17 

$          0.15 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

 

Basic

42,548

46,562

Diluted

45,238

48,610

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

5


Mentor Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Income
Six Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003
(Unaudited)

 

Six Months Ended
September 30,

(in thousands, except per share data)

2004

2003

 

 

Net sales

$     231,211 

$     198,369 

Cost of sales

84,613 

74,934 

Gross profit

146,598 

123,435 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expense

83,820 

69,578 

Research and development expense

16,583 

15,254 

 

100,403 

84,832 

 

 

 

Operating income

46,195 

38,603 

 Interest expense

(2,636)

(310)

 Interest income

948 

719 

 Other income (expense), net

(183)

925 

Income before income taxes

44,324 

39,937 

Income taxes

14,136 

12,666 

Net income

$       30,188 

$       27,271 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

$           0.71 

$           0.59 

Diluted earnings per share

$           0.67 

$           0.56 

Dividends per share

$           0.32 

$           0.17 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

Basic

42,356

46,475

Diluted

45,138

48,479

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

6


Mentor Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Six Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003
(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

2004

2003

Operating Activities:

 

 

Net income

$    30,188 

$    27,271 

Adjustments to derive cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

  Depreciation

7,289 

6,453 

  Amortization

2,368 

1,658 

  Deferred income taxes

(1,631)

(2,131)

  Tax benefit from exercise of stock options

3,223 

2,778 

  (Gain) loss on sale of assets

1,436 

(302)

  Imputed interest on long-term liabilities

15 

139 

  (Gain) loss on long-term marketable securities

136 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

    Accounts receivable

3,918 

3,164 

    Inventories

(4,836)

(3,754)

    Prepaid income taxes and other current assets

(3,533)

(8,096)

    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

7,364 

(326)

    Income taxes payable

(267)

(439)

Net cash provided by operating activities

45,534 

26,551 

Investing Activities:

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

(4,829)

(9,089)

Purchases of intangibles

(1,500)

(4,673)

Purchases of marketable securities

(69,028)

(28,244)

Sales of marketable securities

41,854 

21,466 

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

(7,192)

Net cash used for investing activities

(33,503)

(27,732)

Financing Activities:

 

 

Repurchase of common stock

(8,601)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

9,628 

6,602 

Dividends paid

(13,637)

(1,858)

Borrowings (repayments) under line of credit agreements, net

632 

(128)

Net cash used for financing activities

(3,377)

(3,985)

Effect of currency exchange rates on cash and cash
   equivalents


310 


370 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

8,964 

(4,796)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

118,225 

105,840 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$    127,189 

$     101,044 

7


MENTOR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2004

Note A - Business Activity

Mentor Corporation (the "Company") was incorporated in April 1969.  Unless the context indicates otherwise, when we refer to "Mentor," "we," "us," "our," or the "Company" in this Form 10-Q, we are referring to Mentor Corporation and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.  We develop, manufacture and market a broad range of products serving the medical specialties market.  Our products are utilized by three primary segments, aesthetic and general surgery (plastic and reconstructive surgery), surgical urology, and clinical and consumer healthcare.  Aesthetic and general surgery products include surgically implantable prostheses for plastic and reconstructive surgery as well as capital equipment and consumables used for soft tissue aspiration or body contouring (liposuction).  Surgical urology products include surgically implantable prostheses for the treatment of impotence, surgically implantable incontinence products, urinary care products and brachytherapy seeds for the treatment of prostate cancer.  Clinical and consumer healthcare products include catheters and other products for the management of urinary incontinence and retention.

Note B - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its subsidiaries in which a controlling interest is maintained.  For those subsidiaries where the Company owns less than 100%, the outside shareholders' interests are treated as minority interests.  All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated.  Certain prior year amounts in previously issued financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. 

Basis of Presentation

The financial information for the three and six months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 is unaudited but includes all adjustments (consisting only of normally recurring accruals, unless otherwise indicated) that the Company considers necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for these periods.  Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for the full fiscal year.

Use of Estimates

Financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States require management to make estimates and judgments that affect amounts and disclosures reported in the financial statements.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.   A discussion of the Company’s significant accounting policies is described in the “Application of Critical Accounting Policies” section of “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

8


Effects of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) released draft abstract Emerging Issue Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 04-8, "The Effect of Contingently Convertible Debt on Diluted Earnings per Share," for comment. The objective of this Issue is to provide guidance for whether contingently convertible debt instruments should be included in diluted earnings per share calculations. The draft abstract reflects the Task Force’s tentative conclusion that contingently convertible debt should be included in diluted earnings per share calculations regardless of whether or not the trigger price has been reached. In its September meeting, the Task Force confirmed the July conclusion, and the guidance becomes effective December 15, 2004.  The impact of the Issue will be to change the diluted earnings per share calculation by increasing net income used in the numerator by the after tax amount of interest expense related to the convertible notes (approximately $800,000 for the quarter), and increasing weighted average shares outstanding used in the denominator by 5.1 million shares; the number of shares to be issued upon full conversion of the convertible notes.  The effect would decrease diluted earnings per share by $.02 cents per share for the quarter ended September 30, 2004.  We expect to adopt the guidance in the quarter ended December 31, 2004.

In March 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) approved the consensus reached on the EITF Issue No. 03-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments.” The objective of this Issue is to provide guidance for identifying impaired investments. EITF 03-1 also provides new disclosure requirements for investments that are deemed to be temporarily impaired. The accounting provisions of EITF 03-1 are effective for all reporting periods beginning after June 15, 2004, while the disclosure requirements are effective only for annual periods ending after June 15, 2004. We have evaluated the impact of the adoption of EITF 03-1 and do not believe it will be significant to our results of operations or financial position.

Note C - Interim Reporting

The Company's three quarterly interim reporting periods are each thirteen-week periods ending on the Friday nearest the end of the third calendar month of each calendar quarter.  The fiscal year end remains March 31st.  To facilitate ease of presentation, each interim period is shown as if it ended on the last day of the appropriate calendar month.  The actual dates for each of the three interim quarters-end are shown below:

Fiscal 2005

Fiscal 2004

First Quarter

July 2, 2004

June 27, 2003

Second Quarter

October 1, 2004

September 26, 2003

Third Quarter

December 31, 2004

January 2, 2004

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three month and six month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normally recurring accruals, unless otherwise indicated) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for the indicated periods have been included.  Certain amounts recorded in previous periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.  Operating results for the three month and six month periods ended September 30, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full fiscal year.

The balance sheet at March 31, 2004 has been derived from the audited financial statements as of that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.

The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2004. 

9


Note D - Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities, and Long-Term Marketable Securities and Investments

All highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase are considered to be cash equivalents.

The Company considers its marketable securities available-for-sale as defined in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities."  Realized gains and losses, and declines in value considered to be other than temporary, are included in income.  The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method.  For short-term marketable securities, there were no material realized or unrealized gains or losses, nor were there any material differences between estimated fair values, based on quoted market prices, and the costs of securities in the investment portfolio as of September 30, 2004, and March 31, 2004.  Short-term investments, except auction rate securities, mature between three months and one year from the purchase date.  The Company's short-term marketable securities consist primarily of money market mutual funds, U.S. state and municipal government and government agency obligations, auction rate securities, and investment grade corporate obligations including commercial paper.  Auction rate securities carry interest or dividend rates that reset every 28 days but have contractual maturities of greater than one year.

The Company's long-term marketable securities and investments include investments in Federal Home Loan Bank and Mortgage Association bonds (FHLA bonds) with maturities of two to four years. 

10


Available-for-sale investments at September 30, 2004 were as follows:

 

 

 

Gross

Gross

Estimated

 

 

Adjusted

Unrealized

Unrealized

Fair

(in thousands)

Cost

Gains

Losses

Value

Cash balances

$   38,333

$        -

$        - 

$   38,333

Money market mutual funds

88,856

-

88,856

Marketable equity securities

144

-

(8)

136

U.S., state and municipal agency
   obligations


35,305

 


 (67)


 35,238

Corporate debt securities

278

-

278

   Total available-for-sale investments

$  162,916

-

$        (75)

$   162,841

 

 

 

 

 

Included in cash and cash equivalents

127,189

-

-

127,189

Included in current marketable securities

458

-

458

Included in long-term marketable
   securities and investments

35,269

-

(75)

35,194

   Total available-for-sale investments

$  162,916

$        -

$        (75) 

$   162,841

Available-for-sale investments at March 31, 2004 were as follows:

 

 

 

Gross

Gross

Estimated

 

 

Adjusted

Unrealized

Unrealized

Fair

(in thousands)

Cost

Gains

Losses

Value

Cash balances

$   19,139

$        -

$        - 

$   19,139

Bank time deposits

-

-

-

Money market mutual funds

99,086

-

99,086

Marketable equity securities

56

-

(8)

48

U.S., State and Municipal agency
   obligations


8,193


-



8,193

Corporate debt securities

278

-

278

   Total available-for-sale investments

$  126,752

-

(8)

$  126,744

 

 

 

 

Included in cash and cash equivalents

118,225

-

118,225

Included in current marketable securities

193

-

193

Included in long-term marketable
   securities and investments


8,334


-


(8)


8,326

   Total available-for-sale investments

$  126,752

$        -

$       (8)

$  126,744

Note E - Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, cost determined by the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.  The Company writes down its inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions.

Inventories at September 30, 2004 and March 31, 2004 consisted of:

(in thousands)

September 30,

March 31

Raw materials

$     14,209

$     13,050

Work in process

      12,587

      11,572

Finished goods

     46,653

     43,290

 

$     73,449

$     67,912

11


Note F - Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost.  Depreciation is based on the useful lives of the properties and computed using the straight-line method.  Buildings are depreciated over 30 years, furniture and equipment over 3 to 10 years and leasehold improvements over the shorter of their estimated remaining lives or lease terms.  Significant improvements and betterments are capitalized while maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred.

Property and equipment at September 30, 2004 and March 31, 2004 consisted of:

(in thousands)

September 30,

March 31,

Land

$        566 

$        561 

Buildings

      24,883 

      24,534 

Leasehold improvements

    24,849 

    23,776 

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

   106,196 

   103,242 

Construction in progress

      3,662 

      3,811 

   160,156 

   155,924 

Less accumulated depreciation

    (85,515)

    (78,395)

 

$   74,641 

$   77,529 

 Note G - Warranties

The Company provides an accrual for the estimated cost of product warranties and product liability claims at the time revenue is recognized.  Such accruals are based on estimates, which are based on relevant factors such as historical experience, the warranty period, estimated costs, levels of insurance and insurance retentions, identified product quality issues, if any, and to a limited extent, information developed by the insurance company using actuarial techniques.  The Company assesses the adequacy of these accruals periodically and adjusts the amounts as necessary based on actual experience and changes in future expectations.

Information on changes in the Company’s accrued warranties and related reserves are as follows:

Six Months Ended

September 30,

(in thousands)

2004

2003

Beginning warranty and related reserve

$  23,396

$  19,989

Costs of warranty claims

(2,122)

(1,930)

Accruals for product warranties

3,298

4,063

Ending warranty and related reserves

$  24,572

$  22,122

Note H - Other Comprehensive Income

The components of comprehensive income are listed below:

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Six Months Ended
September 30,

(in thousands)

2004

2003

2004

2003

Net income

$  12,534

$  11,238

$  30,188

$  27,271

Foreign currency translation adjustment

1,613

826

1,571

5,858

Unrealized (losses) on marketable securities
  and investment activities, net


117


25


(44)


146

Comprehensive income

$  14,264

$  12,089

$  31,715

$  33,275

12


Note I - Stock Options

The Company has granted options to key employees and non-employee directors under its Amended 2000 Long-Term Incentive Plan (2000 Plan) and 1991 Plan.  Options granted under both plans are exercisable in four equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant, and expire ten years from the date of grant.  Options are granted at the fair market value as of the date of grant.  Options to purchase 732,750 shares of common stock at $32.23 per share were granted during the quarter ended June 30, 2004.  Options to purchase 47,500 shares of common stock at $34.58 per share were granted during the quarter ended September 30, 2004. 

Stock option exercise prices are set at the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant and the related number of shares granted is fixed at that point in time.  Therefore, under the principles of Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion 25, the Company does not recognize compensation expense associated with the grant of stock options.  SFAS 123 "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation", requires the use of an option valuation model to provide supplemental information regarding options granted after fiscal 1995.  Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share shown below were determined as if the Company had accounted for its employee stock options under the fair value method of that statement.  The estimated fair value of the options is amortized ratably over the options' vesting period.  As required by SFAS No. 148, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure - an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123", the following table shows the estimated effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provision of SFAS 123 to stock-based employee compensation.  The Company's pro forma information is as follows:

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Six Months Ended
September 30,

(in thousands except per share data)

2004

2003

2004

2003

Net income: as reported (1)

$  12,534

$  11,238

$  30,188

$  27,271

Deduct: compensation expense fair value method

(1,787)

(1,899)

(3,555)

(3,319)

Net income:  pro forma

$  10,747

$   9,339 

$  26,633

$ 23,952 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share:  as reported

 $        .29

    $       .24 

$       .71

$      .59 

Basic earnings per share:  pro forma

$        .25

$       .20 

$       .63

$      .51 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share:  as reported

$        .28

$       .23 

$       .67

$      .56 

Diluted earnings per share:  pro forma

$        .24

$       .20 

$       .59

$      .50 

(1) Net income as reported includes no compensation expense associated with stock grants.

 

 

 

 

Note J - Income Taxes

The effective rate of corporate income taxes was 31.9% and 31.7% for the six-month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.  

13


Note K - Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares of the Company’s common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated in the same manner as basic earnings per share except that the number of shares outstanding is increased by potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the period.  Potentially dilutive common shares consist of shares issuable under the terms of employee stock options, warrants, and the 2¾% convertible subordinated notes.  A reconciliation of weighted average shares outstanding, used to calculate basic earnings per share, to weighted average shares outstanding assuming dilution, used to calculate diluted earnings per share, follows:

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Six Months Ended
September 30,

(in thousands)

2004

2003

2004

2003

Weighted average outstanding shares:  basic

42,548 46,562 42,356 46,475
Shares issuable through exercise of stock options 2,690 2,048 2,782 2,004
Weighted average outstanding shares:  diluted 45,238 48,610 45,138 48,479

Shares issuable through stock options are determined using the treasury stock method.  Certain potential shares issuable under the terms of employee stock options were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share since their exercise prices were greater than the market prices of the common shares during or at the end of the period, and accordingly, their effect would have been anti-dilutive.  Shares potentially issuable upon the conversion of the 2¾% convertible subordinated notes were excluded as the market prices of the common shares did not reach the specific levels for the specified times required in order for the notes to allow conversion during the period.  Additionally, during the quarter ended September 30, 2004, the price of the Company’s stock did not exceed the specific strike prices of the convertible bond hedge or the warrants for the specified time required that the Company entered into to reduce the potential dilution from any conversion of the notes.  Both the bond hedge and the warrants transaction may be settled at the Company’s option, either in cash or shares, and expire on January 1, 2009. 

Note L - Share Repurchase Program

The Company has a stock repurchase program, primarily to offset the dilutive effect of our employee stock option program, to provide liquidity to the market and to reduce the overall number of shares outstanding.  All shares repurchased under the program are retired and are no longer deemed to be outstanding.  In May 1999, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of 9.2 million shares of our stock.  Each year shares have been repurchased including 1.4 million shares for $22.3 million and 1.5 million shares for $18.7 million in the years ended March 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.  At March 31, 2003, 1.8 million shares were remaining under this authorization.  On July 31, 2003 the Board of Directors increased the authorized number of shares to be repurchased from 1.8 million to 4 million shares.  On December 5, 2003, the Board of Directors increased the authorized number of shares to be repurchased by 5 million shares from 2.5 million to 7.5 million shares.  During fiscal 2004, 5.4 million shares were repurchased for $135.8 million and 3.6 million shares remained authorized for repurchase as of March 31, 2004 and September 30, 2004.  The timing of repurchases is subject to market conditions, cash availability, and blackout periods during which the Company is restricted from repurchasing shares.  There is no guarantee that shares authorized for repurchase by the Board will ultimately be repurchased. There were no share repurchases during the three-month and six-month periods ending September 30, 2004.

14


Note M - Acquisitions

South Bay Medical LLC

On January 19, 2001, the Company purchased the assets of South Bay Medical LLC (South Bay), a company focused on the development of a new computer-based workstation and automated cartridge-based needle loading system for use in brachytherapy procedures.  The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase with the results of operations included in the Company's financial statements from the date of acquisition.  The Company paid $2 million in cash and issued restricted common stock valued at $4 million on the date of purchase.  Additional purchase price payments will be made to South Bay over the next several years as workstation sales are made.  The net present value of these amounts is recorded at September 30, 2004, in current accrued liabilities ($775,000) and in long-term accrued liabilities ($10,550,000) as the Company believes it is probable these payments will be paid. 

Prosurg, Inc.

In December 2001, the Company entered into several agreements with Prosurg, Inc., to acquire certain patent rights and obtain a source of supply of a bio-absorbable co-polymer for $2 million in cash and up to an additional $2 million upon the achievement of certain milestones.  The purchase price was allocated to intangible assets and the net present value of these amounts is recorded at September 30, 2004, in accrued liabilities ($1,000,000) and in long-term accrued liabilities ($1,000,000) as the Company believes it is probable these payments will be paid.

A-Life Ltd.

On August 25, 2003, the Company completed the acquisition of A-Life Ltd, which has developed a hyaluronic acid based dermal filler product, from Vitrolife, AB.  The acquisition was valued at $7.5 million; net of cash acquired, and was paid from existing cash balances.  The purchase price was allocated to the tangible and intangible net assets acquired on the basis of their respective fair values on the acquisition date.  The purchase price was preliminarily allocated to accounts receivable of $36,000, other assets of $349,000, production equipment of $393,000 and intangible assets of $6,821,000, net of accrued liabilities of $123,000.

Note N - Goodwill & Intangible Assets

In 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets".  SFAS No. 142 was effective for the Company as of April 1, 2002.  SFAS No. 142 specifies the financial accounting and reporting for acquired goodwill and other intangible assets.  Goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives are no longer to be amortized, but rather are to be tested for impairment annually or more frequently if impairment indicators arise.  None of the Company's intangible assets have an indefinite life.  Intangible assets with finite lives continue to be amortized over their useful lives ranging from 3-20 years on a straight line basis.  Goodwill and intangible assets have been recorded at either incurred or allocated cost.  Allocated costs were based on respective fair values at the date of acquisition. 

Upon the adoption of SFAS No. 142, the Company reassessed the remaining amortization periods of intangible assets acquired on or before June 30, 2001, and assigned all goodwill to reporting units for impairment testing.  The impairment tests involve the use of both estimates of fair value for the Company's reporting units as well as discounted cash flow assumptions.  Impairment tests were performed at adoption and in the fourth quarter of fiscal years 2004 and 2003 and no impairment was noted as a result of these analyses.

As of September 30, 2004 and March 31, 2004, accumulated amortization of intangible assets was $16.6 million and $14.2 million respectively.

15


Note O - Long-term Debt

On December 22, 2003, the Company completed an offering of $150 million of convertible subordinated notes due January 1, 2024 pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933.  The notes bear interest at 2¾% per annum and are convertible into shares of the Company's common stock at a conversion price of $29.27 per share and are subordinated to all existing and future senior debt.

Holders of the notes may convert their notes only if any of the following conditions is satisfied:

  • during any fiscal quarter prior to January 1, 2019, if the closing price of the Company's common stock for at least 20 trading days in the 30 consecutive trading day period ending on the first trading day of such fiscal quarter is more than 120% of the conversion price per share of the Company's common stock on such trading day;
     
  • any business day on or after January 1, 2019, if the closing price of the Company's common stock on the immediately preceding trading day is more than 120% of the conversion price per share of the Company's common stock on such trading day;
     
  • during the five business day period after any five consecutive trading day period if the average of the trading prices of the notes for such five consecutive trading day period is less than 98% of the average of the conversion values of the notes during such period, subject to certain limitations;
     
  • if the Company calls the notes for redemption; or
     
  • if the Company makes certain significant distributions to holders of its common stock or the Company enters into specified corporate transactions.

At an initial conversion price of $29.289, each $1,000 principle amount of notes will be convertible into 34.1425 shares of common stock.  As a result of the Company’s recent dividend increase the conversion price has been adjusted to $29.27, and each $1,000 principle amount will be convertible into 34.1632 shares of common stock.

Concurrent with the issuance of the convertible subordinated notes, the Company entered into a convertible note hedge and a warrants transaction with respect to its common stock, the exposure for which is held by Credit Suisse First Boston LLC.  Both the note hedge and the warrants transaction may be settled at the Company's option either in cash or shares and expire January 1, 2009.  The convertible note hedge and warrants transactions combined are intended to reduce the potential dilution from conversion of the notes by effectively increasing the conversion price per share to $39.43.  The cost of the note hedge and  the proceeds of warrants sale have been included in stockholder's equity in accordance with the guidance in Emerging Issues Task Force No. 00-19, "Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to and Potentially Settled in a Company's own Stock."  Any proceeds received or payments made upon termination of these instruments will be recorded in stockholders equity. 

16


Note P - Business Segment Information

The Company's operations are principally managed and reported on a product basis.  There are three reportable segments:  aesthetic and general surgery, surgical urology, and clinical and consumer healthcare.  The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies except that certain expenses such as interest and certain corporate expenses are not allocated to the segments.

The aesthetic and general surgery products segment consists primarily of breast implants, tissue expanders and the Company's body contouring (liposuction) equipment and disposables.  The surgical urology segment includes penile implants, surgical incontinence products, and brachytherapy seeds for the treatment of prostate cancer.  The clinical and consumer healthcare segment includes catheters and other disposable products for the management of urinary incontinence and retention.

Selected financial information for the Company's reportable segments for the three-month and six-month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, and as of September 30, 2004 and March 31, 2004 is as follows:

 

17


Three Months Ended
September 30,

Six Months Ended
September 30,

 

(in thousands)

2004

2003

2004

2003

 

Net sales

 

 

 

 

 

Aesthetic and General Surgery

$      54,322

$      47,199

$     119,866

$     102,702

 

Surgical Urology

30,374

23,903

62,286

51,992

 

Clinical and Consumer Healthcare

24,083

22,161

49,059

43,675

 

  Total consolidated revenues

$      108,779

$      93,263

$    231,211

$    198,369

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Six Months Ended
September 30,

 

(in thousands)

2004

2003

2004

2003

 

Operating profit

 

 

 

 

 

Aesthetic and General Surgery

$      18,390

$      15,987 

$      43,936

$      35,777

 

Surgical Urology

1,168

(748)

3,446

788

 

Clinical and Consumer Healthcare

2,645

3,111 

5,658

6,433

 

  Total reportable segments

$      22,203

$      18,350 

$      53,040

$      42,998

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Six Months Ended
September 30,

 

(in thousands)

2004

2003

2004

2003

 

Operating income

 

 

 

 

 

Reportable segments

$     22,203 

$     18,350 

$     53,040 

$     42,998 

 

Corporate operating expenses

(3,183)

(2,258)

(6,845)

(4,395)

 

Interest expense

(1,228)

(149)

(2,636)

(310)

 

Interest income

533 

323 

948 

719 

 

Other income

249 

(183) 

925 

 

Income before income taxes

$     18,330 

$     16,515 

$      44,324 

$      39,937 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of

 

 


(in thousands)

September 30, 2004

March 31,
2004

 

Identifiable assets

 

 

 

 

 

Aesthetic and General Surgery

 $       134,490 

 $       135,199 

 

 

 

Surgical Urology

          117,803 

           114,937 

 

 

 

Clinical and Consumer Healthcare

            74,825 

            76,695 

 

 

 

  Total reportable segments

 $       327,118 

 $       326,831 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18


 

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Cautionary Statement:

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Report.  The information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is not a complete description of our business or the risks associated with an investment in our securities.  We urge you to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us in this Report and in our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2004, and subsequent reports on Forms 10‑Q and 8‑K, which discuss our business in greater detail.

The section entitled “Risk Factors” set forth below, and similar discussions in our other SEC filings, discuss some of the important risk factors that may affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.  These risks, in addition to the other information in this Report and in our other filings with the SEC, should be carefully considered before deciding to purchase, hold or sell our securities.

All statements included in this Report, other than statements or characterizations of historical fact, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning:

  • our anticipated growth strategies;

  • our anticipated sales, expenses and taxes for fiscal 2005

  • our intention to introduce or seek regulatory approval for new products;

  • our ability to continue to meet FDA and other regulatory requirements;

  • our anticipated outcomes of litigation and regulatory reviews;

  • our ability to replace sources of supply without disruption or regulatory delay;

  • our accounting estimates, assumptions and judgments, the market acceptance and performance of our products, the competitive nature of and anticipated growth in our markets;

  • our ability to consummate acquisitions and integrate their operations successfully; and

  • the need for additional capital.

These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management’s beliefs, and certain assumptions made by us.  Forward-looking statements can often be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” ”projects,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “potential,” “continue,”  “ongoing,” ”guidance,” and similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words.  In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Report and are based upon the information available to us at this time.  Such information is subject to change, and we will not necessarily inform you of such changes.  These statements are not guarantees of future results and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict.  Therefore, our actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, some of which are listed under the section “Risk Factors” below.  We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statement for any reason.

19


Company Overview  

Founded in 1969, we are a leading supplier of medical products for the global healthcare market.  We develop, manufacture and market a broad range of products serving the medical specialties market.  Our products are utilized by three primary segments, aesthetic and general surgery (plastic and reconstructive surgery), surgical urology, and clinical and consumer healthcare. 

Our aesthetic and general surgery products include surgically implantable prostheses for plastic and reconstructive surgery, as well as capital equipment and consumables used for soft tissue aspiration or body contouring (liposuction).  Our surgical urology products include surgically implantable prostheses for the treatment of impotence, surgically implantable incontinence products, urinary care products and brachytherapy seeds for the treatment of prostate cancer.  Our clinical and consumer healthcare products include catheters and other products for the management of urinary incontinence and retention.

We employ approximately 2,000 people around the world and are headquartered in Santa Barbara, California, with manufacturing and research operations in the United States, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.  We also purchase finished products and certain raw material components from third party manufacturers and suppliers.  The cost of goods sold represents raw materials, labor and overhead, and the cost of third party finished products.  Gross margins may fluctuate from period to period due to changes in the selling prices of our products, the mix of products sold, changes in the cost of third party finished products, raw materials, labor and overhead and manufacturing efficiencies or inefficiencies. 

In addition to our strong domestic presence, we export most of our product lines, principally to Canada, Western Europe, Central and South America, and the Pacific Rim.  Products are sold through our direct international sales offices in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, Benelux, Australia, Spain, Portugal and Italy, as well as through independent distributors in other countries.

We employ specialized domestic sales forces for our aesthetic surgery, body contouring, and urologic specialties, which includes our women's health, erectile dysfunction, prostate brachytherapy and clinical and consumer healthcare product lines

Our selling, general and administrative expense incorporates the expenses of our sales and marketing organization and the general and administrative expenses necessary to support the global corporation. Our sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of salaries, commissions, and marketing program costs. General and administrative expenses incorporate the costs of finance, human resources, information services, legal and insurance costs.

Our research and development expenses are comprised of the following types of costs incurred in performing clinical development and research and development activities: salaries and benefits, allocated overhead, clinical trial and related clinical manufacturing costs, regulatory costs, contract services, and other outside costs.  We also conduct research on materials technology, product design and product improvement.

20


Recent Developments 

On October 25, 2003, we completed the acquisition of Inform Solutions Inc., now doing business as Mentor Practice Development Services located in San Diego, California.  Mentor Practice Development Services is a leading provider of comprehensive integrated practice management software and revenue enhancement services to the plastic surgery industry.  We paid cash for the acquisition and committed to several milestone payments over the ensuing three years based upon sales and earnings.  We expect that the software and consulting revenues generated by Mentor Practice Development Services will not be substantial.  We do, however, generally anticipate that the software and services Mentor Practice Development Services offers will assist our plastic surgery customers to better manage their practices, resulting in growth of our related product sales.

On December 10, 2003 we completed a licensing agreement with the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (“WARF”), which gives us the exclusive manufacturing and marketing rights to the proprietary botulinum toxin technology developed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  In exchange, we paid cash and committed to royalty payments based upon future sales, and future payments based upon developmental milestones.  We do not expect any revenues from products utilizing this technology in fiscal year 2005 or fiscal year 2006, as the products will require additional research, clinical studies and regulatory approvals before they can be marketed. 

On December 22, 2003, we completed an offering of $150 million of convertible subordinated notes due January 1, 2024 pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933.  The notes bear interest at 2¾% per annum and are convertible into shares of our common stock at an adjusted conversion price of $29.27 per share and are subordinated to all existing and future senior debt. 

APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations addresses our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.  The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the 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.  On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments.  We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.  Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. 

Management has identified the critical accounting policies to be those related to revenue recognition, accounts receivable, inventories, warranties and related reserves, and goodwill and intangible asset impairment.  These accounting polices are discussed in the “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004.

21


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

For the three-month period ended September 30, 2004 compared to the three-month period ended September 30, 2003

Our quarterly results reflect slight seasonality, as the fiscal quarter ending September 30 tends to have lower breast implant revenues than the other three quarters.  This is primarily due to patients delaying elective surgical procedure, such as breast augmentation, until after the summer vacation season, particularly in Europe.  

The following table sets forth certain data from the Consolidated Statements of Income expressed as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated:

For the Three Months Ended For the Six Months Ended
  September 30,
2004
September 30,
2003
September 30,
2004
September 30,
2003
Net sales 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 %
  Cost of sales 37.4 % 38.1 % 36.6 % 37.8 %
Gross profit 62.6 % 61.9 % 63.4 % 62.2 %
Selling, general and administrative expense 37.3 % 36.4 % 36.3 % 35.1 %
Research and development expense 7.9 % 8.3 % 7.2 % 7.7 %
Operating income 17.4 % 17.2 % 19.9 % 19.4 %
Interest expense (1.3)% (0.1)% (1.1)% (0.1)%
Interest income 0.7 % 0.3 % 0.4 % 0.4 %
Other income (expense), net 0.0 % 0.3 % (0.1)% 0.5 %
Income before income taxes 16.8 % 17.7 % 19.1 % 6.4 %
Income taxes 5.3 % 5.7 % 6.1 % 6.4 %
Net income 11.5 % 12.0 % 13.0 % 13.8 %

22


Sales

Sales for the three-month period ended September 30, 2004 increased 16.6% to $108.8 million from $93.3 million for the same quarter in the prior year.  Foreign exchange rate movements, primarily the strengthening of the Euro, had a favorable year-to-year impact on international sales of $3.1 million for the three-month period.  We continue to expect total sales to increase in fiscal 2005 at a low double digit rate over sales in fiscal 2004. 

Sales by Principal Product Line

For the Three Months Ended
September 30,

For the Six Months Ended
September 30,


(in thousands)


2004


2003

Percent Change


2004


2003

Percent Change

Aesthetic & General Surgery
   Products


$   54,322


$   47,199


15.1%


$   119,866


$   102,702


16.7%

Surgical Urology Products

30,374

23,903

27.1%

62,286

51,992

19.8%

Clinical & Consumer
   Healthcare Products


24,083


22,161


8.7%


49,059


43,675


12.3%

 

$  108,779

$  93,263

16.6%

$ 231,211

$ 198,369

16.6%

Sales of aesthetic and general surgery products increased 15.1% to $54.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, from $47.2 million in the same period in the prior year. Approximately $0.7 million or 1.5% of this increase is attributable to the favorable impact of foreign exchange rate movements and the balance is primarily attributable to organic growth of our silicone gel breast implants and associated products used in reconstruction surgeries.  Total sales of breast implant products increased 12.2% to $46.9 million for the quarter from $41.8 million in the same period in the prior year.  Increased sales were driven by strong performance in the augmentation and reconstruction markets both domestically and internationally. Although we try to avoid competing on price, we  continue to see competitive price pressure in both the domestic and international markets. Sales of body contouring products increased 10.2% to $3.9 million for the quarter from $3.5 million in the same period in the prior year.  Liposuction continues to be the leading surgical cosmetic procedure in the United States, and sales of our capital equipment, associated disposable products, and higher average selling prices were the leading contributors to body contouring sales growth for the quarter ended September 30, 2004. Although both breast implant and body contouring revenue increased, we believe sales were negatively impacted by the severe weather conditions during the quarter in the Southeast United States, which is a significant market for us. Other aesthetic products sales increased 87% to $3.6 million for the quarter from $1.9 million in the same period of the prior year as a result of increased revenue from physician participation in our "Extreme Makeover" direct to consumer television advertising program and revenue from our October 2003 acquisition of Mentor Practice Development Services.

Sales of surgical urology products increased 27.1% to $30.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, from $23.9 million in the same period in the prior year.  The reorganization of our urology sales force, which was completed in early 2004, continues to benefit sales.  Sales of women’s health care products increased 83% to $5.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004 compared to $2.8 million in the prior year. This increase was primarily attributable to our ObTape™ sling product, which was introduced in the United States during August 2003 for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. Penile implant sales increased 8.8% to $6.2 million from $5.7 million in the comparable period of the prior year due to continued market acceptance of our Titan® penile device in Europe, and to the reduction in patients sampling competitive drug therapies for erectile dysfunction, which had negatively impacted prior year sales.  Brachytherapy product sales increased by 10.1% to $3.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, from $3.4 million in the same period in the prior year as a result of higher unit sales and improved average selling prices. Sales of our disposable urinary care products increased by $3.2 million to $15.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, compared to $11.9 million in the prior year.  The favorable impact of foreign exchange rate variations also increased segment revenue $1.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 compared to the prior year.

Sales of clinical and consumer healthcare products increased 8.7% or $1.9 million to $24.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 from $22.2 million in the same period of the prior year. Sales of catheters increased 11.6% or $1.4 million to $13.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 from $12.1 million for the comparable period in the prior year. This increase resulted from a shift to our premium product categories which all have premium pricing as well as a favorable impact of foreign exchange rate variations of $1.0 million for this segment.

23


Gross profit

Gross profit increased to 62.6% of net sales for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, compared to 61.9% in the comparable period in the prior year.  Gross profit for aesthetic and general surgery products improved to 74.1% of net sales, or $40.2 million for the three-month period ending September 30, 2004, up from 73% of net sales in the comparable period in the prior year.  This increase in gross profit of $5.7 million is primarily attributable to manufacturing efficiencies at our Texas and Netherlands facilities.   Gross profit for surgical urology products improved to 54.0% of net sales for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, compared to 51.4% of net sales in the same period in the prior year.  This improvement is primarily due to increased sales of women’s health care products, which have a higher gross margin than other products in this segment, and the licensing of our trans-obturator method patent. Gross profit for healthcare products decreased to 47.8% of net sales for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, compared to 49.5% of net sales for the quarter ended September 30, 2003. This decrease is due to manufacturing inefficiencies at our foreign manufacturing facilities.

Selling, General and Administrative

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $40.6 million, or 37.3% of net sales for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, compared to $33.9 million or 36.4% for the comparable quarter in the prior year.  The increase as a percentage of net sales is primarily the result of increased information technology support, higher regulatory expense related to the silicone gel PMA filing, higher legal expenses from ongoing and recently concluded litigation, recent acquisitions, and to a lesser extent increased support of sales, and our recently launched direct to consumer television advertising program.  The increase in general and administrative expense was partially offset by lower product warranty and product liability expenses.  For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2005, we expect sales, general and administrative expense to be in the range of 35% to 37% of net sales.

Research and Development

Research and development expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 were $8.6 million compared to $7.7 million a year ago, or approximately 8% of net sales for each period.  Research and development spending for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 was primarily to support key strategic product development programs including our silicone gel breast implant PMA, the botulinum toxin program, the Hyalite dermal filler program, and the continued development of automated manufacturing technologies.  We expect the level of spending on research and development activities to be in the range of 7% to 8% of net sales for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2005.

Interest and Other Income and Expense

Interest expense increased approximately $1.0 million to $1.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, compared to $.2 million in the same period of the prior year.  The increase is the result of additional interest on our $150 million in convertible subordinated notes issued in December 2003, carrying a coupon rate of 2 ¾%.  The remaining interest expense is interest on balances outstanding under our foreign lines of credit. 

Income Taxes

The effective rate of corporate income taxes for the three-months ended September 30, 2004, was 31.6% as compared to 32.0% for the comparable period in the prior year.  We expect our effective tax rate to be in the range of 32% to 33% for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2005.

24


Net Income and Earnings Per Share

Net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 increased 11.6% to $12.5 million from $11.2 million in the comparable period in the prior year.  Diluted earnings per share increased 21.7% to $0.28 for the quarter, compared to $0.23 for the comparable period last year.  As a result of our stock repurchase program, we have fewer shares outstanding resulting in a positive impact on the year-over-year quarterly comparison of diluted earning per share.

For the six-month periods ended September 30, 2004 compared to the six-month periods ended September 30, 2003.

Sales

Sales increased 16.6%, or $32.8 million to $231.2 million for the six months ended September 30, 2004, compared to $198.4 million for the same period in the prior year.   Foreign exchange rate movements, primarily the strengthening of the Euro, had a favorable year-to-year impact on international sales of $5.9 million for the six month period.  

Sales of aesthetic and general surgery products increased 16.7%, or $17.2 million to $119.9 million for the six-month period ended September 30, 2004, compared to $102.7 million for the same period in the prior year.   Approximately $1.5 million of the increase is attributable to the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates and the balance is due to organic growth in unit sales. Sales of breast implants increased  $13 million or 14.2% to $104.3 million for the six months ended September 30, 2004, compared to $91.3 million for the same period in the prior year. Body contouring product sales increased 21.1% to $8.6 million for the six-month period ended September 30, 2004, from $7.1 million for the comparable period in the prior year.  Increases in body contouring product sales are primarily attributable to increased liposuction procedural volumes as awareness and acceptance of this procedure increases. Although both breast implant and body contouring revenue increased, we believe sales were negatively impacted by the severe weather conditions during the quarter ended September 30, 2004 in the Southeast United States, which is a significant market for us.  Other product sales increased by 26% to $6.9 million for the six months ended September 30, 2004, compared to $5.5 million the same period in the prior year as a result of increased revenue from physician participation in our "Extreme Makeover" direct to consumer television advertising program and revenue from our October 2003 acquisition of Mentor Practice Development Services.

Sales of surgical urology products increased 19.8%, or $10.3 million to $62.3 million for the six month period ended September 30, 2004, compared to $52 million for the same period in the prior year.  This growth primarily resulted from the reorganization of our urology sales force, which was completed in early 2004 and led to improved selling focus and higher sales productivity. The increases in sales were primarily attributable to a $5.1 million increase in sales of our women’s health care products and a $4.1 million increase in sales of our disposable urinary care products. This increase in sales was primarily attributable to our ObTape™ sling product, which was introduced in the United States during August 2003 for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. Brachytherapy product sales increased 7% to $7.6 million for the six months ended September 30, 2004 compared to $7.1 million for the same period in the prior year as a result of higher unit sales and improved average selling prices.  Foreign exchange rate fluctuations favorably impacted sales by $2.5 million.

Sales of clinical and consumer healthcare products increased 12.3%, or $5.3 million to $49 million for the six month period ended September 30, 2004 compared to $43.7 million for the same period in the prior year. Sales of our catheter products increased $4.2 million or 18.6% to $26.8 million for the six month period ended September 30, 2004, from $22.6 million for the same period of the prior year.  Sales of other disposable homecare and ostomy products increased 5.2% to $22.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, from $21.1 million in the comparable period of the prior year.  This increase resulted from a shift to our premium product categories which all have premium pricing as well as a favorable impact of foreign exchange rate variations of $1.9 million for this segment.

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Gross profit

Gross profit for the six-months ended September 30, 2004, improved to 63.4% of net sales from 62.2% for the same period in the prior year. Gross profit for aesthetic and general surgery products improved to 74.5% of net sales, or $89.3 million for the six-month period ending September 30, 2004, up from 72.1% of net sales in the comparable six-month period in the prior year.  This increase in gross profit of $15.3 million is primarily attributable to manufacturing efficiencies at our Texas and Netherlands facilities.  Gross profit for surgical urology products for the six-month period ended September 30, 2004 improved to 53.9% of net sales compared to 52.6% of net sales for the same period in the prior year.  The improvement in the gross profit percentage is primarily due to increased sales of women’s health care products, which have a higher gross margin than other products in this segment, and the licensing of our trans-obturator method patent. Gross profit for clinical and consumer healthcare products for the six-month period ended September 30, 2004, decreased to 48.4% of net sales compared to 50.6% in the prior year.  This decrease is due to manufacturing inefficiencies at our foreign manufacturing facilities.

Selling, General and Administrative

Selling, general and administrative expense increased to 36.3% of net sales, or $83.8 million for the six-month period ended September 30, 2004, compared to 35.1% or $69.6 million in the comparable period of the prior year.  The increase as a percentage of net sales is primarily the result of increased information technology support, higher regulatory expense related to the silicone gel PMA filing, higher legal expenses from ongoing and recently concluded litigation, recent acquisitions, and to a lesser extent increased support of sales, and our recently launched direct to consumer television advertising program.  The increase in general and administrative expense was partially offset by lower product warranty and product liability expenses.

Research and Development

Research and development expenses for the six-month period ended September 30, 2004 decreased from 7.7% to 7.2% as a percent of net sales, and were $16.6 million compared to $15.3 million for the comparable period a year ago.  Research and development spending primarily supports key strategic product development programs including our silicone gel breast implant PMA, the botulinum toxin program, the Hyalite dermal filler program, and the continued development of automated manufacturing technologies.  During the first quarter of fiscal 2005 we recorded a $0.8 million charge related to the termination of a brachytherapy development project and related automated manufacturing equipment.

Interest and Other Income and Expense

Interest expense for the six-month period ended September 30, 2004 increased to $2.6 from $0.3 million in the comparable period in the prior year.  Approximately $2.1 million of the expense relates to the $150 million in convertible subordinated notes issued in December 2003 with a coupon rate of 2 ¾%.  The remaining interest expense is interest on balances outstanding under our foreign lines of credit.

Income Taxes

The effective rate of corporate income taxes for the six-months ended September 30, 2004 was 31.9% as compared to 31.7% for the comparable period in the prior year. 

Net Income and Earnings Per Share

Net income for the six-month period ended September 30, 2004 increased 10.6% to $30.2 million from $27.3 million in the comparable period in the prior year.  Diluted earnings per share increased 19.6% to $.67 for the six-month period compared to $0.56 for the comparable period last year.  As a result of our stock repurchase program, we have fewer shares outstanding, resulting in a positive impact on the year over year six month comparison of diluted earning per share.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our balance sheet reflected cash, cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities of $128 million at September 30, 2004, compared to $118 million at March 31, 2004.  During the first quarter of fiscal 2005 we invested  $25 million of cash into long-term marketable securities, primarily Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal National Mortgage Association notes to increase our interest income on our cash reserves.  Our cash provided by operating activities and the proceeds of our convertible notes has been our primary recurring source of funds, and this is expected to continue.  Our working capital was $210 million at September 30, 2004, compared to $198 million at March 31, 2004.  We generated $46 million of cash from operating activities during the six months ended September 30, 2004, compared to $27 million during the same period the previous year.  Approximately $3 million of the increase was attributable to increased net income, $1.5 million was attributable to additional amortization and depreciation expense and $1.7 million was attributable to non-cash losses on asset disposals for the six-month period ended September 30, 2004.  The timing of income tax payments added $5 million to operating cash flows and an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities added approximately $8 million for the six months ended September 30, 2004, compared to the same period in the prior year. 

During the six months ended September 30, 2004, we invested approximately $4.8 million in property and equipment, primarily for production equipment purchases.  We anticipate additional investments of approximately $10 million during the remainder of fiscal 2005 to continue facility improvements and to purchase production equipment.

We receive cash from the exercise of employee stock options.  Employee stock option exercises provided $9.6 million of cash during the six months ended September 30, 2004 compared to $6.6 million in the same period the previous year.  Proceeds from the exercise of employee stock options will vary from period to period based primarily upon fluctuations in the market value of our common shares relative to the exercise price of such options, among other factors.

We have a stock repurchase program, primarily to offset the dilutive effect of our employee stock option program, to provide liquidity to the market, and to reduce the overall number of shares outstanding.  All shares repurchased under the program are retired and are no longer deemed to be outstanding.  At September 30, 2004, 3.6 million shares remained authorized for repurchase.  The timing of repurchases is subject to market conditions, cash availability, and blackout periods during which we are restricted from repurchasing shares.  There is no guarantee that shares authorized for repurchase by the Board will ultimately be repurchased.  There were no share repurchases under this program for the six month period ending September 30, 2004.

In January 2001, we completed the acquisition of the assets of South Bay Medical, LLC.  The total consideration included $2 million in cash, 470,586 restricted shares of our common stock having a fair market value of $4 million, and $13.6 million to be paid in cash or our common stock over the next several years.  These future payments are recorded as an acquisition obligation payments liability of $11.4 million at September 30, 2004.  Approximately $5.9 million of the future acquisition obligation payments is to be paid in shares of our common stock valued at fair market value on the date of issuance, over several years based on the achievement of unit sale milestones.

In December 2001, we entered into several agreements with Prosurg, Inc. to purchase certain patent rights and to secure a supply of product.  The total consideration included $2.0 million in cash and $1.7 million in short and long-term payments due over the next several years.  The future payments have been recorded as an acquisition obligation liability at net present value and will increase with imputed interest to $2.0 million, due over the next several years, based on the achievement of certain milestones. 

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On September 9, 2003, we entered into several transactions to acquire from AMI, LLC, the exclusive license, marketing and distribution rights for certain product technology, and intellectual property rights, as well as, a related supply agreement with Prosurg, Inc.  We have paid $4.5 million in cash and issued 133,630 restricted shares of our common stock valued at fair market value of $3 million.  We anticipate making additional payments of $3.0 million upon the completion of certain developmental and regulatory milestones, expected to be achieved over the next several years.

On October 25, 2003, we acquired Inform Solutions, Inc., now doing business as Mentor Practice Development Services, for total consideration of $3 million in cash.  The agreement commits us to make additional payments totaling up to $1.7 million based upon achievement of future sales and earnings thresholds over 3 years.

On December 22, 2003, we completed an offering of $150 million of convertible subordinated notes due January 1, 2024 pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933.  The notes bear interest at 2¾% per annum and are convertible into shares of our common stock at an adjusted conversion price of $29.27 per share and are subordinated to all existing and future senior debt.  Concurrent with the issuance of the convertible subordinated notes, we entered into a convertible bond hedge and warrants transactions with respect to our common stock, the exposure for which is held by Credit Suisse First Boston LLC for a net cash payment of $18.5 million.  Both the bond hedge and the warrants transactions may be settled at our option either in cash or net shares and expire January 1, 2009.  The convertible bond hedge and warrants transactions combined are intended to reduce the potential dilution from conversion of the notes by effectively increasing the conversion price per share to $39.43.

In September 2004, the Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend rate from $.15 per share to $.17 per share.  It is our intent to continue to pay dividends for the foreseeable future subject to, among other things, Board approval, cash availability, debt restrictions and alternative cash needs.  At the current annual dividend rate of $.68 per share, the aggregate annual dividend would be approximately $28 million.

We had a secured line of credit for borrowings up to $25 million ("Credit Agreement"), which accrued interest at the prevailing prime rate or 1.75% over LIBOR, at our discretion.  The Credit Agreement expired in September 2004 and we are currently renegotiating a new agreement which we expect will have similar terms.  The Credit Agreement included certain covenants that, among other things, limited the dividends we could pay and required maintenance of certain levels of tangible net worth and debt service ratios.  At September 30, 2004, we had three commercial letters of credit totaling $2.0 million.

In addition, in February 2001, we established several lines of credit with local foreign lenders to facilitate operating cash flow needs at our foreign subsidiaries.  These credit lines are at market rates of interest, unsecured, are guaranteed by us, and total $7.1 million, of which $5.4 million was outstanding, and $1.7 million was available at September 30, 2004. 

In fiscal 2002, we established a line of credit of $6.5 million to finance the construction of a new facility in Leiden, the Netherlands.  The borrowings accrue interest at EURIBOR plus 0.75% and are secured by the new facility and other assets in The Netherlands.  At September 30, 2004, $4 million was outstanding and $2.5 million was available under this line.

At September 30, 2004, our total short-term borrowings under all lines of credit were $9.4 million and the weighted-average interest rate was 2.99%.  The total amount of additional borrowings available to us under all lines of credit was $4.2 million and $28.1 million at September 30, 2004 and March 31, 2004, respectively. 

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We enter into various product and intellectual property acquisitions and business combinations.  In connection with some of these activities, we agree to make payments to third parties when specific milestones are achieved, such as receipt of regulatory approvals or achievement of performance or operational targets. 

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that are currently material or reasonably likely to be material to our financial position or results of operations.

Our principal source of liquidity at September 30, 2004 consisted of $128 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities, plus $35 million of highly liquid marketable securities accounted for as long term assets, plus $6.2 million available under our existing lines of credit.  We believe that funds generated from operations, our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities and funds available under line of credit agreements will be adequate to meet our working capital needs and capital expenditure investment requirements and commitments for the foreseeable future.  However, it is possible that we may need to raise additional funds to finance unforeseen requirements or to consummate acquisitions of other business, products or technologies.  Additional funds could be raised by selling equity or debt securities to the public or to selected investors, or by borrowing money from financial institutions.  In addition, even though we may not need additional funds, we may still elect to sell additional equity or debt securities or obtain credit facilities for other reasons.  We may not be able to obtain additional funds on terms that would be favorable to us, or at all.  If funds are raised by issuing additional equity securities or convertible debt securities, the ownership percentage of existing shareholders would be reduced.  In addition, the equity or debt securities issued by us may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of our common stock.

Risk Factors

Forward-Looking Information Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Action of 1995

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements.  The Act was designed to encourage companies to provide prospective information about them without fear of litigation.  The prospective information must be identified as forward-looking and must be accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the statements.  The statements about our business, plans, strategies, intentions, expectations and prospects contained throughout this document are based on current expectations.  These statements are forward-looking and actual results may differ materially from those predicted as of the date of this report in the forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties.  In addition, past financial performance is not necessarily a reliable indicator of future performance and investors should not use historical performance to anticipate results or future period trends.  We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available or other events occur in the future.

Our business faces many risks.  The risks described below may not be the only risks we face.  Additional risks that we do not yet know of or that we currently think are immaterial may also impair our business operations.  If any of the events or circumstances described in the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations could suffer and the trading price of our common stock or our convertible notes could decline. You should consider the following risks before deciding to invest in our common stock or convertible notes.

Significant product liability claims or product recalls may force us to pay substantial damage awards and other expenses that could exceed our accruals and insurance coverage.

The manufacture and sale of medical devices exposes us to significant risk of product liability claims.  In the past, and currently, we have had a number of product liability claims relating to our products, and we may be subject to additional product liability claims in the future, some of which may have a negative impact on our business.  If a product liability claim or series of claims is brought against us for uninsured liabilities or in excess of our insurance coverage, our business could suffer.  Some manufacturers that suffered such claims in the past have been forced to cease operations or even to declare bankruptcy. Additionally, we could experience a material design or manufacturing failure in our products, a quality system failure, other safety issues, or heightened regulatory scrutiny that would warrant a recall of some of our products and could result in exposure to additional product liability claims.

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We are subject to substantial government regulation, which could materially adversely affect our business.

The production and marketing of our products and our ongoing research and development, pre-clinical testing and clinical trial activities are subject to extensive regulation and review by numerous governmental authorities both in the U.S. and abroad.  Most of the medical devices we develop must undergo rigorous pre-clinical and clinical testing and an extensive regulatory approval process before they can be marketed.  This process makes it longer, more difficult and more costly to bring our products to market, and we cannot guarantee that any of our products will be approved.  The pre-marketing approval process can be particularly expensive, uncertain and lengthy, and a number of devices for which FDA approval has been sought by other companies have never been approved for marketing.  In addition to testing and approval procedures, extensive regulations also govern marketing, manufacturing, distribution, labeling, and record-keeping procedures.  If we do not comply with applicable regulatory requirements, such violations could result in non-approval, suspensions of regulatory approvals, civil penalties and criminal fines, product seizures and recalls, operating restrictions, injunctions, and criminal prosecution.

Delays in, withdrawal, or rejection of FDA or other government entity approval of our products, may also adversely affect our business.  Such delays or rejection may be encountered due to, among other reasons, government or regulatory delays, lack of efficacy during clinical trials, unforeseen safety issues, slower than expected rate of patient recruitment for clinical trials, inability to follow patients after treatment in clinical trials, inconsistencies between early clinical trial results and results obtained in later clinical trials, varying interpretations of data generated by clinical trials, or changes in regulatory policy during the period of product development in the U.S. and abroad.  In the U.S., there has been a continuing trend of more stringent FDA oversight in product clearance and enforcement activities, causing medical device manufacturers to experience longer approval cycles, greater risk and uncertainty, and higher expenses. Internationally, there is a risk that we may not be successful in meeting the quality standards or other certification requirements.  Even if regulatory approval of a product is granted, such approval may entail limitations on uses for which the product may be labeled and promoted, or may prevent us from broadening the uses of our current products for different applications.  In addition, we may not receive FDA approval to export our products in the future, and countries to which products are to be exported may not approve them for import.

Our manufacturing facilities also are subject to continual governmental review and inspection.  The FDA has stated publicly that compliance with manufacturing regulations will be scrutinized more strictly.  A governmental authority may challenge our compliance with applicable federal, state and foreign regulations.  In addition, any discovery of previously unknown problems with one of our products or facilities may result in restrictions on the product or the facility, including withdrawal of the product from the market or other enforcement actions.

From time to time, legislative or regulatory proposals are introduced that could alter the review and approval process relating to medical devices.  It is possible that the FDA or other governmental authorities will issue additional regulations which would further reduce or restrict the sales of our present or proposed products.  Any change in legislation or regulations that govern the review and approval process relating to our current and future products could make it more difficult and costly to obtain approval for new products, or to produce, market, and distribute existing products.

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If we are unable to continue to develop and commercialize new technologies and products, we may experience a decrease in demand for our products or our products could become obsolete.

The medical device industry is highly competitive and is subject to significant and rapid technological change.  We believe that our ability to develop or acquire new technologies is crucial to our success.  We are continually engaged in product development, improvement programs and required clinical studies to maintain and improve our competitive position.  Any significant delays in the above or termination of our clinical trials would materially and adversely affect our development and commercialization timelines.  We cannot guarantee that we will be successful in enhancing existing products, or in developing or acquiring new products or technologies that will timely achieve regulatory approval.  

There is also a risk that our products may not gain market acceptance among physicians, patients and the medical community generally.  The degree of market acceptance of any medical device or other product that we develop will depend on a number of factors, including demonstrated clinical safety and efficacy, cost-effectiveness, potential advantages over alternative products, and our marketing and distribution capabilities.  Physicians will not recommend our products if clinical and other data or other factors do not demonstrate their safety and efficacy compared to other competing products, or if our products do not best meet the particular needs of the individual patient.

Our products compete with a number of other medical products manufactured by major companies, and may also compete with new products currently under development by others.  On January 8, 2004 the FDA released new Draft Guidance for Saline, Silicone Gel, and Alternative Breast Implants.  This new draft guidance has additional requirements from the FDA's previously issued guidance document dated February 2003.  We completed our PMA application to the FDA for the pre-market approval for our silicone gel-filled implants for breast augmentation, reconstruction and revision in December 2003, using the earlier guidance document provided by the FDA.  The FDA has indicated that our PMA "is sufficiently complete to permit a substantive review and is, therefore, suitable for filing."  Any change in FDA guidance, such as that announced on January 8th by the FDA, may delay or may otherwise adversely affect our application or its review or approval by the FDA.  A delay, denial, or "not approvable" response by the FDA would have a material adverse affect on our commercialization timelines, competitive position and ultimately our revenue and operating results.  In August we amended our PMA based on the FDA draft guidance and responded to other issues raised by the FDA. We continue to address their questions and the process may require substantial time and expense based on the nature of the questions with no assurances of success. If our competitor gains FDA approval to market its competitive products before we do, our competitive position may suffer.  If our new products do not achieve significant market acceptance, or if our current products are not able to continue competing successfully in the changing market, our sales and earnings may not grow as much as expected, or may even decline.

If we suffer negative publicity concerning the safety of our products, our sales may be harmed and we may be forced to withdraw products.

Physicians and potential patients may have a number of concerns about the safety of our products, including our breast and other implants, whether or not such concerns have a basis in generally accepted science or peer-reviewed scientific research.  Negative publicity-whether accurate or inaccurate-concerning our products could reduce market or governmental acceptance of our products and could result in decreased product demand or product withdrawal.  In addition, significant negative publicity could result in an increased number of product liability claims, whether or not these claims are supported by applicable law.

If changes in the economy and consumer spending reduce consumer demand for our products, our sales and profitability could suffer.

Certain elective procedures, such as breast augmentation, body contouring, and surgical treatment for male impotence are typically not covered by insurance.  Adverse changes in the economy may cause consumers to reassess their spending choices and reduce the demand for these surgeries and could have an adverse effect on consumer spending.  This shift could have an adverse effect on our sales and profitability.

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If we are unable to implement new information technology systems, our ability to manufacture and sell products, maintain regulatory compliance and manage and report our business activities may be impaired, delayed or diminished, which would cause substantial business interruption and loss of sales, customers and profits.

We are in the process of implementing an enterprise resource planning system that will be our primary business management system for nearly all of our businesses worldwide.  Many other companies have had severe problems with computer system implementation of this nature and scope.  We are using a controlled project plan and we believe we have assigned adequate staffing and other resources to the project to ensure its successful implementation; however there is no assurance that the design will meet our current and future business needs or that it will operate as designed.  We are heavily dependent on such computer systems, and any failure or delay in the system implementation would cause a substantial interruption to our business, additional expense, and loss of sales, customers, and profits.

If we are unable to acquire companies, businesses or technologies as part of our growth strategy or to successfully integrate past acquisitions, our growth, sales and profitability could suffer.

A significant portion of our recent growth has been the result of acquisitions of other companies, businesses and technologies.  We intend to continue to acquire other businesses and technologies to facilitate our future business strategies, although there can be no assurance that we will be able to identify appropriate acquisition candidates, consummate transactions or obtain agreements with terms favorable to us.  Further, once a business is acquired, any inability to integrate the business, failure to retain and develop its workforce, or establish and maintain appropriate communications, performance expectations, regulatory compliance procedures, accounting controls, and reporting procedures could adversely affect our future sales and earnings.

If our intellectual property rights do not adequately protect our products or technologies, others could compete against us more directly, which would hurt our profitability.

Our success depends in part on our ability to obtain patents or rights to patents, protect trade secrets, operate without infringing upon the proprietary rights of others, and prevent others from infringing on our patents, trademarks and other intellectual property rights.  We will be able to protect our intellectual property from unauthorized use by third parties only to the extent that it is covered by valid and enforceable patents, trademarks or licenses.  Patent protection generally involves complex legal and factual questions and, therefore, enforceability of patent rights cannot be predicted with certainty; thus, any patents that we own or license from others may not provide us with adequate protection against competitors.  Moreover, the laws of certain foreign countries do not recognize intellectual property rights or protect them to the same extent as do the laws of the United States. 

In addition to patents and trademarks, we rely on trade secrets and proprietary know-how.  We seek protection of these rights, in part, through confidentiality and proprietary information agreements.  These agreements may not provide sufficient protection or adequate remedies for violation of our rights in the event of unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential and proprietary information.  Failure to protect our proprietary rights could seriously impair our competitive position.

If third parties claim we are infringing their intellectual property rights, we could suffer significant litigation or licensing expenses or be prevented from marketing our products.

Our commercial success depends significantly on our ability to operate without infringing the patents and other proprietary rights of others.  However, regardless of our intent, our technologies may infringe upon the patents or violate other proprietary rights of third parties.  In the event of such infringement or violation, we may face expensive litigation and may be prevented from selling existing products and pursuing product development or commercialization.

We depend on single and sole source suppliers for certain raw materials and licensed or manufactured products and the loss of any supplier could adversely affect our ability to manufacture or sell many of our products.

We currently rely on single or sole source suppliers for raw materials, including silicone, used in many of our products.  In the event that they cannot meet our requirements, we cannot guarantee that we would be able to obtain a sufficient amount of quality raw materials in a timely manner.  We also depend on third party manufacturers for components and licensed products, including our women's health products and our palladium brachytherapy seed product.  If there is a disruption in the supply of these products, our sales and profitability would be adversely affected.

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Our international business exposes us to a number of risks.

More than one-third of our sales are derived from international operations.  Accordingly, any material decrease in foreign sales would have a material adverse effect on our overall sales and profitability. Most of our international sales are denominated in Euros, British Pounds, Canadian Dollars or U.S. Dollars.  Depreciation or devaluation of the local currencies of countries where we sell our products may result in our products becoming more expensive in local currency terms, thus reducing demand, which could have an adverse effect on our operating results.  Our operations and financial results may be adversely affected by other international factors, including:

  • foreign government regulation of medical devices;
  • product liability, intellectual property and other claims;
  • new export license requirements;
  • political or economic instability in our target markets;
  • trade restrictions;
  • changes in tax laws and tariffs;
  • managing foreign distributors and manufacturers;
  • managing foreign branch offices and staffing; and
  • competition.

Health care reimbursement or reform legislation could materially affect our business.

If any national health care reform or other legislation or regulations are passed that imposes limits on the amount of reimbursement for certain types of medical procedures or products, or on the number or type of medical procedures that may be performed, or that has the effect of restricting a physician's ability to select specific products for use in patient procedures, such changes could have a material adverse effect on the demand for our products.  Our revenues depend largely on U.S. and foreign government health care programs and private health insurers reimbursing patients' medical expenses.  Physicians, hospitals, and other health care providers may not purchase our products if they do not receive satisfactory reimbursement from these third-party payers for the cost of procedures using our products.  In the U.S., there have been, and we expect that there will continue to be, a number of federal and state legislative and regulatory proposals to implement greater governmental control over the healthcare industry and its related costs.  These proposals create uncertainty as to the future of our industry and may have a material adverse effect on our ability to raise capital or to form collaborations.  In a number of foreign markets, the pricing and profitability of healthcare products are subject to governmental influence or control.  In addition, legislation or regulations that impose restrictions on the price that may be charged for healthcare products or medical devices may adversely affect our sales and profitability.

If our use of hazardous materials results in contamination or injury, we could suffer significant financial loss.

Our manufacturing and research activities involve the controlled use of hazardous materials.  We cannot eliminate the risk of accidental contamination or injury from these materials.  In the event of an accident or environmental discharge, we may be held liable for any resulting damages, which may exceed our financial resources and any applicable insurance coverages.

Future changes in financial accounting standards may cause adverse unexpected revenue or expense fluctuations and affect our reported results of operations.

A change in accounting standards could have a significant effect on our reported results and may even affect our reporting of transactions completed before the change is effective.  The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") has issued a Proposed Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS"), Share-Based Payment, an amendment of FASB Statements Nos. 123 and 95 ("Exposure Draft").  The Exposure Draft would eliminate the ability to account for share-based compensation transactions using Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and generally would require that such transactions be accounted for using a fair-value-based method, and the resulting cost recognized in the financial statements.  The approval of this Exposure Draft or any changes requiring that we record compensation expense in the statement of operations for employee stock options using the fair value method could have a significant negative effect on our reported results.  New pronouncements and varying interpretations of existing pronouncements have occurred and may occur in the future.  Changes to existing rules or current practices may adversely affect our reported financial results of our business.

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Our reported earnings per share may be more volatile because of the contingent conversion provision of the notes.

Holders of our 2¾% convertible notes are entitled to convert the notes into our common stock during any fiscal quarter prior to January 1, 2019, if the closing price of our common stock for at least 20 trading days in the 30 consecutive trading day period ending on the first trading day of such fiscal quarter is more than $35.15, if we have called the notes for redemption, or upon other specified events.  Until one of these contingencies is met, the shares underlying the notes are not included in the calculation of our basic or diluted earnings per share.  Should a contingency be met, diluted earnings per share would be expected to decrease as a result of the inclusion of the underlying shares in the diluted earnings per share calculation.  Volatility in our common stock price could cause this condition to be met in one quarter and not in a subsequent quarter, increasing the volatility of our diluted earnings per share.

Hedging transactions and other transactions may affect the value of the notes.

In connection with the original issuance of our 2¾% convertible notes in December 2003, we entered into convertible note hedge and warrant transactions with respect to our common stock with Credit Suisse First Boston International, an affiliate of Credit Suisse First Boston LLC, the initial purchaser of the notes, to reduce the potential dilution from conversion of the notes up to a price of our common stock of $39.43 per share.  In connection with these hedging arrangements, Credit Suisse First Boston International, and/or its affiliates, has taken and, we expect, will continue to take positions in our common stock in secondary market transactions and/or will enter into various derivative transactions.  Such hedging arrangements could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.  In addition, the existence of the notes may encourage short selling in our common stock by market participants because the conversion of the notes could depress the price of our common stock.

Litigation may harm our business or otherwise distract our management.

Substantial, complex or extended litigation could cause us to incur large expenditures and distract our management, and could result in significant monetary or equitable judgments against us.  For example, lawsuits by employees, patients, customers, licensors, licensees, suppliers, distributors, stockholders, or competitors could be very costly and could substantially disrupt our business.  Disputes from time to time with such companies or individuals are not uncommon, and we cannot assure that we will always be able to resolve such disputes out of court or on terms favorable to us.

Our publicly-filed SEC reports are reviewed by the SEC from time to time and any significant changes required as a result of any such review may result in material liability to us and have a material adverse impact on the trading price of our common stock.

The reports of publicly-traded companies are subject to review by the SEC from time to time for the purpose of assisting companies in complying with applicable disclosure requirements and to enhance the overall effectiveness of companies public filings, and comprehensive reviews by the SEC of such reports are now required at least every three years under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  SEC reviews often occur at the time companies file registration statements such as the registration statement we filed in connection with our convertible note offering, but reviews may also be initiated at any time by the SEC.  While we believe that our previously filed SEC reports comply, and we intend that all future reports will comply in all material respects with the published rules and regulations of the SEC, we could be required to modify or reformulate information contained in prior filings as a result of an SEC review.  Any modification or reformulation of information contained in such reports could be significant and result in material liability to us and have a material adverse impact on the trading price of our common stock.

34


Our operating results may fluctuate substantially, and could precipitate unexpected movement in the price of our common stock and convertible notes. 

Our common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "MNT."  On September 30, 2004, the closing price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $34.29 per share.  On December 22, 2003, we completed an offering of $150 million of convertible subordinated notes ("notes") due January 1, 2024 pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933.  The notes bear interest at 2¾% per annum, are convertible into shares of our common stock at an adjusted conversion price of $29.27 per share and are subordinated to all existing and future senior debt.  The market prices of our stock and convertible securities are subject to significant fluctuations in response to the factors set forth above and other factors, many of which are beyond our control such as changes in pricing policies by our competitors and the timing of significant orders and shipments. 

Such factors, as well as other economic conditions, may adversely affect the market price of our securities, including our common stock and the notes.  There could be periods in which we experience shortfalls in revenue and/or earnings from levels expected by securities analysts and investors, which could have an immediate and significant adverse effect on the trading price of our securities, including our common stock and our convertible notes.

35


 

Item 3.

Quantitative And Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There have been no material changes in our exposure to market risk as reported in Item 7A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004.

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

We carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2004, the end of the period covered by this report.  Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of September 30, 2004.

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended September 30, 2004 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

36


PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings

In February 2004, we filed a patent infringement suit in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota against American Medical Systems, Inc. ("AMS").  The suit alleged that AMS was inducing infringement and contributing to the infringement of our United States Patent No. 6,638,211 B2 ("211 Patent"), a patent involving a method for the treatment of urinary incontinence in women, by AMS offering for sale and selling its Monarc Subfacial Hammock in the United States.  The suit sought compensatory and treble damages.  AMS subsequently served us with a Complaint for declaratory judgment, which AMS had filed earlier in the same District Court, seeking a declaration that AMS did not infringe any valid claim of the '211 Patent and that the claims of the '211 Patent were invalid and unenforceable against AMS.  Because the cases involved the same facts, they were assigned to the same judge.  On September 13, 2004, during the early stages of the litigation, we entered into a settlement agreement with AMS under which both parties agreed to dismiss their respective lawsuits.  Under the settlement agreement, the parties agreed to concurrently enter into a non-exclusive cross-license agreement covering patents and patent applications related to the field of female pelvic health.  Under the cross-license agreement, AMS made a one-time payment to us in the amount of $2.5 million for access to the '211 Patent.

On March 4, 2004, John H. Alico, et. al., d/b/a PTF Royalty Partnership ("PTF") filed a lawsuit against us in the Business Litigation Session of the Superior Court of Massachusetts, Suffolk County in which PTF alleges, among other things, breach of a merger agreement that involved our acquisition of Mentor O&O, Inc. ("O&O"), an unrelated entity at that time, which was dated as of March 14, 1990 ("Merger Agreement") (prior to the merger, O&O had no affiliation with us).  PTF alleges that we breached the terms of the Merger Agreement by failing to exert commercially reasonable and diligent efforts to obtain approval by the FDA for a product used for the treatment of urinary incontinence and by failing to accurately account for and pay royalties due thereunder.  PTF seeks damages in excess of $18 million, which is the maximum amount of royalties PTF could have received under the Merger Agreement.  After almost ten years, in or about January 2001, we elected to discontinue pursuing FDA approval for the product, given the FDA's repeated and ongoing concerns regarding the product's use for urinary incontinence.  We believe we complied with all of our obligations under the Merger Agreement, which specifically provided that we were under no obligation to engage in efforts or expenditures in respect of the product which we in good faith deemed to be inadvisable based on various factors.  Accordingly, we intend to vigorously defend the lawsuit.  Dr. Richard Young, a member of our Board of Directors since March 1990, is a partner of PTF and is a named plaintiff in the above action.  Dr. Young was a shareholder and principal of O&O prior to the merger and was instrumental in facilitating the transition after the merger.

In addition, in the ordinary course of our business we experience other varied types of claims that sometimes result in litigation or other legal proceedings.  Although there can be no certainty, we do not anticipate that any of these proceedings will have a material adverse effect on us.
 

Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.
 

Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.
 

37


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

At the Company's 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on September 15, 2004, the following proposals were presented :

(1)   A proposal to increase the number of directors by four from seven to eleven. The proposal received 39,594,478 votes for, and 76,852 against ratification. There were 114,450 abstentions and four broker non-votes.

(2)     The proposal to elect the following individuals to the Board of Directors of the Company to serve until the next annual meeting, or until their successors are elected, was approved as follows:

Name of Director Votes For Votes Withheld
Christopher J. Conway 39,149,785 216,610
Walter W. Faster 37,202,475 2,163,920
Eugene G. Glover 38,896,303 470,092
Michael Nakonechny 37,213,468 2,152,927
Ronald J. Rossi 37,235,130 2,131,265
Jeffrey W. Ubben 37,247,395 2,119,000
Dr. Richard W. Young 22,627,101 16,739,294
Michael L. Emmons 39,258,104 108,291
Joshua H. Levine 39,137,431 228,964
Adel Michael 39,119,867 246,528
Joseph E. Whitters 39,262,391 104,004

(3)     A proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP to act as independent auditors of the Company for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2005 was approved.  The proposal received 39,258,476 votes for, and 477,511 against ratification.  There were 46,797 abstentions and no broker non-votes.

Item 5.    Other Information

None. 

Item 6.    Exhibits

10.1         Employment Agreement dated August 5, 2004, between Mentor Corporation and David Adornetto.

10.2         Employment Agreement dated August 5, 2004, between Mentor Corporation and A. Chris Fawzy.

10.3         Form of Mentor Corporation Option Agreement.

10.4         Written Description of Directors Fees Pursuant to Item 601(b)(10)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K.

10.5         Written Description of Incentive Bonus Plans.

10.6         Written Description of Car Allowance Plan

31.1         Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant To Section 302 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2         Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant To Section 302 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1         CEO Certification Pursuant To 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant To Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act
                of 2002, filed herewith.

32.2         CFO Certification Pursuant To 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,    As Adopted Pursuant To Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act
                of 2002, filed herewith.

38


SIGNATURES

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

MENTOR CORPORATION

(Registrant)

Date:

November 5, 2004

By:

/S/JOSHUA H. LEVINE
Joshua H. Levine
Chief Executive Officer

Date:

November 5, 2004

By:

/S/LOREN L .MCFARLAND
Loren L. McFarland
Chief Financial Officer

       

39


EX-10 2 q22005ex10-1adornetto.htm EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT - DAVID ADORNETTO Mentor Corporation - Dave Adornetto for Employment Agreement

EXHIBIT 10.1

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement, effective as of August 5, 2004, is by and between MENTOR Corporation ("COMPANY"), with its executive offices at 201 Mentor Drive, Santa Barbara, California 93111, and David Adornetto ("EMPLOYEE") of 743 Cathedral Pointe, Santa Barbara, California 93111.

RECITALS

COMPANY is in the business of manufacturing and selling medical devices and related products. EMPLOYEE has experience in this business and possesses valuable skills and experience, which will be used in advancing COMPANY's interests. EMPLOYEE is willing to be engaged by COMPANY and COMPANY is willing to engage EMPLOYEE in an executive capacity responsible for ALL OPERATIONSfunctions of COMPANY, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

AGREEMENT

EMPLOYEE and COMPANY, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

1.         SERVICES

1.1       General Services.

1.1.1 Company shall employ EMPLOYEE as VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS. EMPLOYEE shall perform the duties customarily performed by one holding such position in a similar business as that engaged in by COMPANY.  To the extent that they do not reduce the scope of the responsibilities described above, EMPLOYEE's duties may change from time to time on reasonable notice, based on the needs of COMPANY and EMPLOYEE's skills as determined by COMPANY.  These duties shall hereinafter be referred to as "Services."  EMPLOYEE shall report directly to the President/CEO of Mentor Corporation. 

1.1.2   In the event that EMPLOYEE shall from time to time serve COMPANY as a director or shall serve in any other office during the term of this Agreement; EMPLOYEE shall serve in such capacities without further compensation.

1.1.3.  EMPLOYEE shall devote his entire working time, attention, and energies to the business of COMPANY, and shall not, during the term of this Agreement, be engaged in any other business activity whether or not such business activity is pursued for gain, profit or other pecuniary advantage, without the prior written consent of the Board of Directors of COMPANY.  This shall not be construed as preventing EMPLOYEE from investing his assets in a form or manner that does not require any services on the part of EMPLOYEE in the operation or affairs of the entities in which such investments are made, or from engaging in such civic, charitable, religious, or political activities that do not interfere with the performance of EMPLOYEE's duties hereunder. 

1.2       Best Abilities.  EMPLOYEE shall serve COMPANY faithfully and to the best of EMPLOYEE's ability.  EMPLOYEE shall use EMPLOYEE's best abilities to perform the Services.  Employee shall act at all times according to what EMPLOYEE reasonably believes is in the best interests of COMPANY.

1.3       Corporate Authority.   EMPLOYEE, as an executive officer, shall comply with all laws and regulations applicable to EMPLOYEE as a result of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, the Securities Act of 1933 and Securities Act of 1934. Prior to the execution of this Agreement, EMPLOYEE has received and reviewed COMPANY's Policies and Procedures and COMPANY's Employee Handbook.  EMPLOYEE shall comply with COMPANY's Policies and Procedures, and practices now in effect or as later amended or adopted by COMPANY, as required of similarly-situated executives of COMPANY.

2.         TERM

This Agreement shall commence upon the execution of this Agreement and shall     continue until terminated as provided in Section 4 of this Agreement. 

3.         COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

3.1  Compensation.  EMPLOYEE's total compensation consists of base salary, bonus potential, stock options, and medical and other benefits generally provided to employees of COMPANY.  Any compensation paid to EMPLOYEE shall be pursuant to COMPANY's policies and practices for exempt employees and shall be subject to all applicable laws and requirements regarding the withholding of federal, state and/or local taxes.  Compensation provided in this Agreement is full payment for Services and EMPLOYEE shall receive no additional compensation for extraordinary services unless otherwise authorized.  EMPLOYEE's entire compensation package will be reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, a practice which is consistent with COMPANY's Executive Compensation Program.

3.1.1  Base Compensation.  COMPANY agrees to pay EMPLOYEE an annualized base salary of TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($250,000.)less applicable withholdings, payable in equal installments no less frequently than semi-monthly. 

3.1.2        Cash Incentive Bonus.  EMPLOYEE shall be eligible for a cash incentive bonus of up to FIFTY (50)Percent of EMPLOYEE's annual base salary, subject to applicable withholdings and subject to approval by COMPANY's Compensation Committee and Board of Directors.  Any cash incentive bonus shall accrue and become payable to EMPLOYEE only if EMPLOYEE is employed with COMPANY on the last day of the fiscal year for which the cash incentive bonus is calculated.

3.1.3        Stock Options. Based upon satisfactory performance, under the Plan, COMPANY expects that EMPLOYEE will qualify for grants of options to acquire common stock of COMPANY subject to determination by the Board of Directors, of an amount which is consistent with COMPANY's Executive Compensation Program.  Any such grants shall also be subject to performance considerations as well as the determination of the Board of Directors.

3.2   Business Expenses.  COMPANY shall reimburse EMPLOYEE for business expenses reasonably incurred in performing Services according to COMPANY's Expense Reimbursement Policy.

3.3   Additional Benefits.  COMPANY shall provide EMPLOYEE those additional benefits normally granted by COMPANY to its employees subject to eligibility requirements applicable to each benefit.  COMPANY has no obligation to provide any other benefits unless provided for in this Agreement. Currently COMPANY provides major medical, dental, life, salary continuation, long term disability benefits and eligibility to participate in COMPANY's 401(k) plan.

3.4   Vacation.  Employee shall accrue vacation equal to TWENTY (20) days per year, at the rate of approximately 1.67 days per month.  The time or times for such vacation shall be selected by EMPLOYEE and approved by the President and Chief Executive Officer of COMPANY.

4.  TERMINATION

4.1   Circumstances Of Termination.  This Agreement and the employment relationship between COMPANY and EMPLOYEE may be terminated as follows:

4.1.1    Death.  This Agreement shall terminate upon EMPLOYEE's death, effective as of the date of EMPLOYEE's death.

4.1.2        Disability.  COMPANY may, at its option, either suspend compensation payments or terminate this Agreement due to EMPLOYEE's Disability if EMPLOYEE is incapable, even with reasonable accommodation by COMPANY, of performing the Services because of accident, injury, or physical or mental illness for ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY (180) consecutive days, or is unable or shall have failed to perform the Services for a total period of ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY (180) within a TWELVE (12) month period, regardless of whether such days are consecutive.  If COMPANY suspends compensation payments because of EMPLOYEE's Disability, COMPANY shall resume compensation payments when EMPLOYEE resumes performance of the Services.  If COMPANY elects to terminate this Agreement due to EMPLOYEE's Disability, it must first give EMPLOYEE TEN (10) WORKING days advance written notice.

4.1.3    Discontinuance Of Business.  If COMPANY discontinues operating its business, this Agreement shall terminate as of the last day of the month on which COMPANY ceases its entire operations with the same effect as if that last date were originally established as termination date of this Agreement.

4.1.4    For Cause.  COMPANY may terminate this Agreement without advance notice for Cause.  For the purpose of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean any failure to comply in any material respect with this Agreement or any Agreement incorporated herein; personal or professional misconduct by EMPLOYEE (including, but not limited to, criminal activity or gross or willful neglect of duty); breach of EMPLOYEE's fiduciary duty to the COMPANY; conduct which threatens public health or safety, or threatens to do immediate or substantial harm to COMPANY's business or reputation; or any other misconduct, deficiency, failure of performance, breach or default, reasonably capable of being remedied or corrected by EMPLOYEE.  To the extent that a breach pursuant to this Section 4.1.4 is curable by EMPLOYEE without harm to COMPANY and/or it's reputation, COMPANY shall, instead of immediately terminating EMPLOYEE pursuant to this Agreement, provide EMPLOYEE with notice of such breach, specifying the actions required to cure such breach, and EMPLOYEE shall have ten (10) days to cure such breach by performing the actions so specified.  If EMPLOYEE fails to cure such breach within the ten (10) day period, COMPANY may terminate this Agreement without further notice.  COMPANY's exercise of its right to terminate under this section shall be without prejudice to any other remedy to which COMPANY may be entitled at law, in equity, or under this Agreement.

4.1.5.      For Convenience Of Party; Resignation by EMPLOYEE for Good Reason.  This Agreement and employment relationship is terminable by either party, for convenience, with or without cause, including but not limited to resignation by EMPLOYEE for Good Reason, at any time upon THIRTY (30) days' advance written notice to the other party. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following without EMPLOYEE's express written consent: (i) a significant reduction of EMPLOYEE's material duties, position,  or responsibilities as provided in this Agreement, or the removal of EMPLOYEE from the position, duties, and responsibilities contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) a reduction in Base Compensation or Cash Incentive Bonusother than a one-time reduction of not more than 10% that also is applied to substantially all other senior executives at the COMPANY; (iii) a material reduction in EMPLOYEE's benefits as compared to the benefits in effect on the Effective Date; (iv) EMPLOYEE must perform a significant portion of his duties at a location other than at COMPANY headquarters; or (v) COMPANY headquarters are relocated more than 50 miles from the current location in Santa Barbara, California.

4.1.6.      Change of Control.  If employment is terminated within TWELVE (12) months after the occurrence of any of the events described as a Change of Control under the provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan as then defined at the time of such Change of Control,  EMPLOYEE shall be entitled to severance compensation pursuant to Section 4.2.6 (i) and (ii),  and (iii).

4.2       EMPLOYEE's Rights Upon Termination

4.2.1    Death.  Upon termination of this Agreement because of death of EMPLOYEE pursuant to Section 4.1.1 above, COMPANY shall have no further obligation to EMPLOYEE under the Agreement except to distribute to EMPLOYEE's estate or designated beneficiary any unpaid compensation and reimbursable expenses, less applicable withholdings, owed to EMPLOYEE prior to the date of EMPLOYEE's death.

4.2.2    Disability.  Upon termination of this Agreement because of Disability of EMPLOYEE pursuant to Sections 4.1.2 above, COMPANY shall have no further obligation to EMPLOYEE under the Agreement except to distribute to EMPLOYEE's estate or designated beneficiary any unpaid compensation and reimbursable expenses, less applicable withholdings, owed to EMPLOYEE prior to the date of EMPLOYEE's termination due to Disability.

 4.2.3        Discontinuance Of Business.  Upon termination of this Agreement because of discontinuation of COMPANY's business pursuant to Section 4.1.3, COMPANY shall have no further obligation to EMPLOYEE under the Agreement except to distribute to EMPLOYEE any unpaid compensation and reimbursable expenses, less applicable withholdings, owed to EMPLOYEE prior to the date of termination of this Agreement.

4.2.4    Termination With Cause.  Upon termination of EMPLOYEE's employment for Cause pursuant to Section 4.1.4, COMPANY  shall have no further obligation to EMPLOYEE under this Agreement except to distribute to EMPLOYEE:

i.          Any compensation and reimbursable expenses owed to EMPLOYEE by COMPANY through the termination date, less applicable withholdings; and

ii.         Severance compensation as provided for in COMPANY's Severance Policy, if any, less applicable withholdings.

4.2.5    Termination Without Cause; Resignation for Good Reason.  Upon termination of EMPLOYEE's employment by COMPANY without cause pursuant to Section 4.1.5, or if EMPLOYEE terminates this Agreement at any time for Good Reason, COMPANY shall have no further obligation to EMPLOYEE under this Agreement except to distribute to EMPLOYEE:

i.                    Any compensation then due EMPLOYEE in accordance with Section 3.1.1 , and reimbursable expenses owed by COMPANY to EMPLOYEE through the termination date, less applicable withholdings; and

ii.                  Payment of full COBRA premium for TWELVE (12) months following termination.  Should EMPLOYEE discontinue COBRA coverage or elect alternative coverage, a cash payment will not be provided in lieu of payment of premium; and

iii.                Severance compensation totaling TWELVE- (12) months base pay, plus ONE (1) month base pay for each full year of service, determined at EMPLOYEE's then-current rate of base pay.  In consideration for this severance compensation, EMPLOYEE, on behalf of himself, his agents, heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, expressly releases and forever discharges COMPANY and its successors and assigns, and all of its respective agents, directors, officers, partners, employees, representatives, insurers, attorneys, parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, and joint ventures, and each of them, from any and all claims based upon acts or events that occurred on or before the date on which EMPLOYEE accepts the severance compensation, including any claim arising under any state or federal statute or common law, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. " 2000e, et seq., the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. " 12101, et seq., the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 29 U.S.C. " 623, et. seq., the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, 29 U.S.C. " 2101, et. seq., and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, Cal. Gov't Code " 12940, et seq. EMPLOYEE acknowledges that he is familiar with section 1542 of the California Civil Code, which reads as follows:

A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.

EMPLOYEE expressly acknowledges and agrees that he is releasing all known and unknown claims, and that he is waiving all rights he has or may have under Civil Code Section 1542 or under any other statute or common law principle of similar effect.  EMPLOYEE acknowledges that the benefits he is receiving in exchange for this Release are more than the benefits to which he otherwise would have been entitled, and that such benefits constitute valid and adequate consideration for this Release.  EMPLOYEE further acknowledges that he has read this Release, understands all of its terms, and has consulted with counsel of his choosing before signing this Agreement. 

Severance compensation pursuant to this paragraph shall be in lieu of any other severance benefit to which EMPLOYEE would otherwise be entitled, under either any other provision to this Agreement or any COMPANY policies in effect on the date of execution of this Agreement.  Severance compensation shall be paid upon termination of EMPLOYEE's employment and in one lump sum payment at the date of termination, less applicable withholdings.

4.2.6        Termination Due to Change Of Control.   If employment is terminated within TWELVE (12) months AFTER any of the events delineated in Section 4.1.6 of this Agreement ("Change of Control"),COMPANY shall have no further obligation to EMPLOYEE under this Agreement except to distribute to EMPLOYEE:

i.                    Any compensation then due EMPLOYEE in accordance with Section 3.1.1  and reimbursable expenses owed by COMPANY to EMPLOYEE through the termination date, less applicable withholdings; and

ii.                  A pro-rated share of the Cash Incentive Bonus that would be due to EMPLOYEE if EMPLOYEE had remained employed with COMPANY through the last day of the fiscal year for which the cash incentive bonus is calculated, less applicable withholdings and/or any other applicable bonus or compensation program as approved by the Board of Directors; and

iii.                Any options awarded and pursuant to the Long-Term Incentive Plan applicable to EMPLOYEE's option award(s); and

iv.                Payment of full COBRA premium for TWELVE (12) months following termination. Should EMPLOYEE discontinue COBRA coverage or elect alternative coverage, a cash payment will not be provided in lieu of payment of premium; and

v.                  Severance compensation totaling TWELVE (12) months base pay, plus ONE (1) month base pay for each full year of service, determined at EMPLOYEE's then-current rate of base pay.  In consideration for this severance compensation, EMPLOYEE, on behalf of himself, his agents, heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, expressly releases and forever discharges COMPANY and its successors and assigns, and all of its respective agents, directors, officers, partners, employees, representatives, insurers, attorneys, parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, and joint ventures, and each of them, from any and all claims based upon acts or events that occurred on or before the date on which EMPLOYEE accepts the severance compensation, including any claim arising under any state or federal statute or common law, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. '' 2000e, et seq., the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. '' 12101, et seq., the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 29 U.S.C. ''  623, et seq., the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, 29 U.S.C. '' 2101, et seq., and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, Cal. Gov't Code '' 12940, et seq.  EMPLOYEE acknowledges that he is familiar with section 1542 of the California Civil Code, which reads as follows:

             A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.

            EMPLOYEE expressly acknowledges and agrees that he is releasing all known and unknown claims, and that he is waiving all rights he has or may have under Civil Code Section 1542 or under any other statute or common law principle of similar effect.  EMPLOYEE acknowledges that the benefits he is receiving in exchange for this Release are more than the benefits to which he otherwise would have been entitled, and that such benefits constitute valid and adequate consideration for this Release.  EMPLOYEE further acknowledges that he has read this Release, understands all of its terms, and has consulted with counsel of his choosing before signing this Agreement. 

            Severance compensation pursuant to this paragraph shall be in lieu of any other severance benefit to which EMPLOYEE would otherwise be entitled, either under any provision to this Agreement or  any COMPANY policies in effect on the date of execution of this Agreement.  Severance compensation shall be paid upon termination of EMPLOYEE's employment and in one lump sum payment at the date of termination, less applicable withholdings.

5.         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

5.1       Representations of EMPLOYEE.  EMPLOYEE represents and warrants that EMPLOYEE has all right, power, authority and capacity, and is free to enter into this Agreement; that by doing so, EMPLOYEE will not violate or interfere with the rights of any other person or entity; and that EMPLOYEE is not subject to any contract, understanding or obligation that will or might prevent, interfere with or impair the performance of this Agreement by EMPLOYEE.  EMPLOYEE shall indemnify and hold COMPANY harmless with respect to any losses, liabilities, demands, claims, fees, expenses, damages and costs (including attorneys' fees and court costs) resulting from or arising out of any claim or action based upon EMPLOYEE's entering into this Agreement.

5.2       Representations of COMPANY.  COMPANY represents and warrants that it has all right, power and authority, without the consent of any other person, to execute and deliver, and perform its obligations under, this Agreement.  All corporate and other actions required to be taken by COMPANY to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of all transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and properly taken.  This Agreement is the lawful, valid and legally binding obligation of COMPANY enforceable in accordance with its terms.

5.3       ateriality of Representations.  The representations, warranties and covenants set forth in this Agreement shall be deemed to be material and to have been relied upon by the parties hereto.

6.         COVENANTS

6.1       Nondisclosure and Invention Assignment.  EMPLOYEE acknowledges that, as a result of performing the Services, EMPLOYEE shall have access to confidential and sensitive information concerning COMPANY's business including, but not limited to, their business operations, sales and marketing data, and manufacturing processes.  EMPLOYEE also acknowledges that in the course of performing the Services, EMPLOYEE may develop new product ideas or inventions as a result of COMPANY's information.  Accordingly, to preserve COMPANY's confidential information and to assure it the full benefit of that information, EMPLOYEE shall, as a condition of employment with COMPANY, execute COMPANY's standard form of Employee Confidentiality Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A, and execute updated versions of the Employee Confidentiality Agreement as it may be modified from time to time by COMPANY and as may be required of similarly-situated executives of COMPANY.  The Employee Confidentiality Agreement is incorporated herein by this reference.  EMPLOYEE's obligations under the Employee Confidentiality Agreement continue beyond the termination of this Agreement.

6.2       Covenant Not to Compete.  In addition to the provisions of the Employee Confidentiality Agreement, EMPLOYEE shall abide by the following covenant not to compete if COMPANY, at its option upon the termination of this Agreement (regardless of the reason for the termination), exercises this Covenant Not to Compete.  COMPANY shall notify EMPLOYEE within ten (10) days of termination of this Agreement of its intention to exercise this option and make an additional payment to EMPLOYEE of six (6) months' base pay determined at EMPLOYEE's last rate of pay with COMPANY.  EMPLOYEE agrees that for a period of one (1) year following the termination of this Agreement, he shall not directly or indirectly for EMPLOYEE, or as a member of a partnership, or as an officer, director, stockholder, employee, or representative of any other entity or individual, engage, directly or indirectly, in any business activity which is the same or similar to work engaged in by EMPLOYEE on behalf of COMPANY within the same geographic territory as EMPLOYEE's work for COMPANY and which is directly competitive with the business conducted or to EMPLOYEE's knowledge, contemplated by COMPANY at the time of termination of this Agreement, as defined in the Employee Confidentiality Agreement incorporated into this Agreement by reference.  EMPLOYEE may accept employment with an entity competing with COMPANY only if the business of that entity is diversified and EMPLOYEE is employed solely with respect to a separately-managed and separately-operated part of that entity's business that does not compete with COMPANY.  Prior to accepting such employment, EMPLOYEE and the prospective employer entity shall provide COMPANY with written assurances reasonably satisfactory to COMPANY that EMPLOYEE will not render services directly or indirectly to any part of that entity's business that competes with the business of COMPANY.

6.3       Covenant to Deliver Records.  All memoranda, notes, records and other documents made or compiled by EMPLOYEE, or made available to EMPLOYEE during the term of this Agreement concerning the business of COMPANY, shall be and remain COMPANY's property and shall be delivered to COMPANY upon the termination of this Agreement or at any other time on request. 

6.4       Covenant Not To Recruit.  EMPLOYEE shall not, during the term of this Agreement and for a period of one (1) year following termination of this Agreement, directly or indirectly, either on EMPLOYEE's own behalf, or on behalf of any other individual or entity, solicit, interfere with, induce (or attempt to induce) or endeavor to entice away any employee associated with COMPANY to become affiliated with him or any other individual or entity. 

7.         CERTAIN RIGHTS OF COMPANY

7.1       Announcement.  COMPANY shall have the right to make public announcements concerning the execution of this Agreement and certain terms thereof. 

7.2       Use of Name, Likeness and Biography.  COMPANY shall have the right (but not the obligation) to use, publish and broadcast, and to authorize others to do so, the name, approved likeness and approved biographical material of EMPLOYEE to advertise, publicize and promote the business of COMPANY and its affiliates, but not for the purposes of direct endorsement without EMPLOYEE's consent.  An "approved likeness" and "approved biographical material" shall be, respectively, any photograph or other depiction of EMPLOYEE, or any biographical information or life story concerning the professional career of EMPLOYEE. 

7.3       Right to Insure.  COMPANY shall have the right to secure in its own name, or otherwise, and at its own expense, life, health, accident or other insurance covering EMPLOYEE, and EMPLOYEE shall have no right, title or interest in and to such insurance.  EMPLOYEE shall assist COMPANY in procuring such insurance by submitting to examinations and by signing such applications and other instruments as may be required by the insurance carriers to which application is made for any such insurance.

8.         ASSIGNMENT

Neither party may assign or otherwise dispose of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party except as provided in this Section.  COMPANY may assign and transfer this Agreement, or its interest in this Agreement, to any affiliate of COMPANY or to any entity that is a party to a merger, reorganization, or consolidation with COMPANY, or to a subsidiary of COMPANY, or to any entity that acquires substantially all of the assets of COMPANY or of any division with respect to which EMPLOYEE is providing services (providing such assignee assumes COMPANY's obligations under this Agreement).  EMPLOYEE shall, if requested by COMPANY, perform EMPLOYEE's duties and Services, as specified in this Agreement, for the benefit of any subsidiary or other affiliate of COMPANY.  Upon assignment, acquisition, merger, consolidation or reorganization, the term "COMPANY" as used herein shall be deemed to refer to such assignee or successor entity.  EMPLOYEE shall not have the right to assign EMPLOYEE's interest in this Agreement, any rights under this Agreement, or any duties imposed under this Agreement, nor shall EMPLOYEE or his spouse, heirs, beneficiaries, executors or administrators have the right to pledge, hypothecate or otherwise encumber EMPLOYEE's right to receive compensation hereunder without the express written consent of COMPANY.  

9.         RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES

In the event of any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or in any way relating to the employment of EMPLOYEE which leads to the filing of a lawsuit, the parties agree that venue and jurisdiction shall be in Santa Barbara County, California.  The prevailing party in any such litigation shall be entitled to an award of costs and reasonable attorneys' fees to be paid by the losing party.

10.       GENERAL PROVISIONS

10.1     Notices.  Notice under this Agreement shall be sufficient only if personally delivered by a major commercial paid delivery courier service or mailed by certified or registered mail (return receipt requested and postage pre-paid) to the other party at its address set forth in the signature block below or to such other address as may be designated by either party in writing.  If not received sooner, notices by mail shall be deemed received five (5) days after deposit in the United States mail.

10.2     Agreement Controls.  Unless otherwise provided for in this Agreement, the COMPANY's policies, procedures and practices shall govern the relationship between EMPLOYEE and COMPANY.  If, however, any of COMPANY's policies, procedures and/or practices conflict with this Agreement (together with any amendments hereto), this Agreement (and any amendments hereto) shall control.

10.3     Amendment and Waiver.  Any provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified and the observance of any provision may be waived (either retroactively or prospectively) only by written consent of the parties.  Either party's failure to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of that party's right to enforce such provision.

10.4     Governing Law.  This Agreement and the performance hereunder shall be interpreted under the substantive laws of the State of California.

10.5     Force Majeure.  Either party shall be temporarily excused from performing under this Agreement if any force majeure or other occurrence beyond the reasonable control of either party makes such performance impossible, except a Disability as defined in this Agreement, provided that the party subject to the force majeure provides notice of such force majeure at the first reasonable opportunity.  Under such circumstances, performance under this Agreement which related to the delay shall be suspended for the duration of the delay provided the delayed party shall resume performance of its obligations with due diligence once the delaying event subsides.  In case of any such suspension, the parties shall use their best efforts to overcome the cause and effect of such suspension.

10.6     Remedies.  EMPLOYEE acknowledges that because of the nature of COMPANY's business, and the fact that the services to be performed by EMPLOYEE pursuant to this Agreement are of a special, unique, unusual, extraordinary, and intellectual character which give them a peculiar value, a breach of this Agreement shall cause substantial injury to COMPANY for which money damages cannot reasonably be ascertained and for which money damages would be inadequate.  EMPLOYEE therefore agrees that COMPANY shall have the right to obtain injunctive relief, including the right to have the provisions of this Agreement specifically enforced by any court having equity jurisdiction, in addition to any other remedies that COMPANY may have.

10.7     Severability.  If any term, provision, covenant, paragraph, or condition of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary so this Agreement shall otherwise remain enforceable in full force and effect.

10.8     Construction.  Headings and captions are only for convenience and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.  Whenever the context requires, words, used in the singular shall be construed to include the plural and vice versa, and pronouns of any gender shall be deemed to include the masculine, feminine, or neuter gender.

10.9     Counterpart Copies.  This Agreement may be signed in counterpart copies, each of which shall represent an original document, and all of which shall constitute a single document.

10.10   No Adverse Construction.  The rule that a contract is to be construed against the party drafting the contract is hereby waived, and shall have no applicability in construing this Agreement or the terms hereof. 

10.11   Entire Agreement.  With respect to its subject matter, namely, the employment by COMPANY of EMPLOYEE, this Agreement (including the documents expressly incorporated therein, such as the Employee Confidentiality Agreement), contains the entire understanding between the parties, and supersedes any prior agreements, understandings, and communications between the parties, whether oral, written, implied or otherwise, including, but not limited to, the original offer of employment letter.

10.12   Assistance of Counsel.  EMPLOYEE expressly acknowledges that he was given the right to be represented by counsel of his own choosing in connection with the terms of this Agreement.

The parties execute this Agreement as of the date stated below:

EMPLOYEE                                                MENTOR CORPORATION

/s/DAVID ADORNETTO 8/20/04               By: s/s/JOSHUA LEVINE 7/20/04
David Adornetto/Date                                   Joshua Levine/Date
                                                                     President/CEO

                                                                     Mentor Corporation
NOTICE ADDRESS                                    NOTICE ADDRESS:
743 Cathedral Pointe                                     201 Mentor Drive
Santa Barbara, California 93111                    Santa Barbara, California 93111

EX-10 3 q22005ex10-2fawzy.htm EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT - A. CHRIS FAWZY EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

EXHIBIT 10.2

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement, effective as of August 5, 2004, is by and between MENTOR Corporation ("COMPANY"), with its executive offices at 201 Mentor Drive, Santa Barbara, California 93111, and A. Chris Fawzy ("EMPLOYEE") of 6001 Paseo Palmilla, Goleta, California 93117.

RECITALS

COMPANY is in the business of manufacturing and selling medical devices and related products. EMPLOYEE has experience in this business and possesses valuable skills and experience, which will be used in advancing COMPANY's interests. EMPLOYEE is willing to be engaged by COMPANY and COMPANY is willing to engage EMPLOYEE in an executive capacity responsible for ALL LEGAL functions of COMPANY, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

AGREEMENT

EMPLOYEE and COMPANY, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

1.         SERVICES

1.1       General Services.

1.1.1 Company shall employ EMPLOYEE as GENERAL COUNSEL. EMPLOYEE shall perform the duties customarily performed by one holding such position in a similar business as that engaged in by COMPANY.  To the extent that they do not reduce the scope of the responsibilities described above, EMPLOYEE's duties may change from time to time on reasonable notice, based on the needs of COMPANY and EMPLOYEE's skills as determined by COMPANY.  These duties shall hereinafter be referred to as "Services."  EMPLOYEE shall report directly to the President/CEO of Mentor Corporation. 

1.1.2   In the event that EMPLOYEE shall from time to time serve COMPANY as a director or shall serve in any other office during the term of this Agreement; EMPLOYEE shall serve in such capacities without further compensation.

1.1.3.  EMPLOYEE shall devote his entire working time, attention, and energies to the business of COMPANY, and shall not, during the term of this Agreement, be engaged in any other business activity whether or not such business activity is pursued for gain, profit or other pecuniary advantage, without the prior written consent of the Board of Directors of COMPANY.  This shall not be construed as preventing EMPLOYEE from investing his assets in a form or manner that does not require any services on the part of EMPLOYEE in the operation or affairs of the entities in which such investments are made, or from engaging in such civic, charitable, religious, or political activities that do not interfere with the performance of EMPLOYEE's duties hereunder. 

1.2       Best Abilities.  EMPLOYEE shall serve COMPANY faithfully and to the best of EMPLOYEE's ability.  EMPLOYEE shall use EMPLOYEE's best abilities to perform the Services.  Employee shall act at all times according to what EMPLOYEE reasonably believes is in the best interests of COMPANY.

1.3       Corporate Authority.   EMPLOYEE, as an executive officer, shall comply with all laws and regulations applicable to EMPLOYEE as a result of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, the Securities Act of 1933 and Securities Act of 1934. Prior to the execution of this Agreement, EMPLOYEE has received and reviewed COMPANY's Policies and Procedures and COMPANY's Employee Handbook.  EMPLOYEE shall comply with COMPANY's Policies and Procedures, and practices now in effect or as later amended or adopted by COMPANY, as required of similarly-situated executives of COMPANY.

2.         TERM

This Agreement shall commence upon the execution of this Agreement and shall     continue until terminated as provided in Section 4 of this Agreement. 

3.         COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

3.1 Compensation.  EMPLOYEE's total compensation consists of base salary, bonus potential, stock options, and medical and other benefits generally provided to employees of COMPANY.  Any compensation paid to EMPLOYEE shall be pursuant to COMPANY's policies and practices for exempt employees and shall be subject to all applicable laws and requirements regarding the withholding of federal, state and/or local taxes.  Compensation provided in this Agreement is full payment for Services and EMPLOYEE shall receive no additional compensation for extraordinary services unless otherwise authorized.  EMPLOYEE's entire compensation package will be reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, a practice which is consistent with COMPANY's Executive Compensation Program.

3.1.1  Base Compensation.  COMPANY agrees to pay EMPLOYEE an annualized base salary of ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY THOUSAND DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($180,000.)less applicable withholdings, payable in equal installments no less frequently than semi-monthly.  EMPLOYEE'S annual base salary will be increased to ONE HUNDRED NINETY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($195,000.) on January 1, 2005.

3.1.2        Cash Incentive Bonus.  EMPLOYEE shall be eligible for a cash incentive bonus of up to FORTY (40)Percent of EMPLOYEE's annual base salary, subject to applicable withholdings and subject to approval by COMPANY's Compensation Committee and Board of Directors.  Any cash incentive bonus shall accrue and become payable to EMPLOYEE only if EMPLOYEE is employed with COMPANY on the last day of the fiscal year for which the cash incentive bonus is calculated.

3.1.3        Stock Options. Based upon satisfactory performance, under the Plan, COMPANY expects that EMPLOYEE will qualify for grants of options to acquire common stock of COMPANY subject to determination by the Board of Directors, of an amount which is consistent with COMPANY's Executive Compensation Program.  Any such grants shall also be subject to performance considerations as well as the determination of the Board of Directors.

3.2   Business Expenses.  COMPANY shall reimburse EMPLOYEE for business expenses reasonably incurred in performing Services according to COMPANY's Expense Reimbursement Policy.

3.3   Additional Benefits.  COMPANY shall provide EMPLOYEE those additional benefits normally granted by COMPANY to its employees subject to eligibility requirements applicable to each benefit.  COMPANY has no obligation to provide any other benefits unless provided for in this Agreement. Currently COMPANY provides major medical, dental, life, salary continuation, long term disability benefits and eligibility to participate in COMPANY's 401(k) plan.

3.4   Vacation.  Employee shall accrue vacation equal to TWENTY (20) days per year, at the rate of approximately 1.67 days per month.  The time or times for such vacation shall be selected by EMPLOYEE and approved by the President and Chief Executive Officer of COMPANY.

4.  TERMINATION

4.1   Circumstances Of Termination.  This Agreement and the employment relationship between COMPANY and EMPLOYEE may be terminated as follows:

4.1.1    Death.  This Agreement shall terminate upon EMPLOYEE's death, effective as of the date of EMPLOYEE's death.

4.1.2        Disability.  COMPANY may, at its option, either suspend compensation payments or terminate this Agreement due to EMPLOYEE's Disability if EMPLOYEE is incapable, even with reasonable accommodation by COMPANY, of performing the Services because of accident, injury, or physical or mental illness for ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY (180) consecutive days, or is unable or shall have failed to perform the Services for a total period of ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY (180) within a TWELVE (12) month period, regardless of whether such days are consecutive.  If COMPANY suspends compensation payments because of EMPLOYEE's Disability, COMPANY shall resume compensation payments when EMPLOYEE resumes performance of the Services.  If COMPANY elects to terminate this Agreement due to EMPLOYEE's Disability, it must first give EMPLOYEE TEN (10) WORKING days advance written notice.

4.1.3    Discontinuance Of Business.  If COMPANY discontinues operating its business, this Agreement shall terminate as of the last day of the month on which COMPANY ceases its entire operations with the same effect as if that last date were originally established as termination date of this Agreement.

4.1.4  For Cause.  COMPANY may terminate this Agreement without advance notice for Cause.  For the purpose of this Agreement,     "Cause" shall mean any failure to comply in any material respect with this Agreement or any Agreement incorporated herein; personal or professional misconduct by EMPLOYEE (including, but not limited to, criminal activity or gross or willful neglect of duty); breach of   EMPLOYEE's fiduciary duty to the COMPANY; conduct which threatens public health or safety, or threatens to do immediate or        substantial harm to COMPANY's business or reputation; or any other misconduct, deficiency, failure of performance, breach or         default, reasonably capable of being remedied or corrected by EMPLOYEE.  To the extent that a breach pursuant to this Section        4.1.4 is curable by EMPLOYEE without harm to COMPANY and/or it's reputation, COMPANY shall, instead of immediately      terminating EMPLOYEE pursuant to this Agreement, provide EMPLOYEE with notice of such breach, specifying the actions             required to cure such breach, and EMPLOYEE shall have ten (10) days to cure such breach by performing the actions so specified.  If EMPLOYEE fails to cure such breach within the ten (10) day period, COMPANY may terminate this Agreement without further notice.  COMPANY's exercise of its right to terminate under this section shall be without prejudice to any other remedy to which COMPANY     may be entitled at law, in equity, or under this Agreement.

4.1.5.      For Convenience Of Party; Resignation by EMPLOYEE for Good Reason.  This Agreement and employment relationship is terminable by either party, for convenience, with or without cause, including but not limited to resignation by EMPLOYEE for Good Reason, at any time upon THIRTY (30) days' advance written notice to the other party. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following without EMPLOYEE's express written consent: (i) a significant reduction of EMPLOYEE's material duties, position,  or responsibilities as provided in this Agreement, or the removal of EMPLOYEE from the position, duties, and responsibilities contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) a reduction in Base Compensation or Cash Incentive Bonusother than a one-time reduction of not more than 10% that also is applied to substantially all other senior executives at the COMPANY; (iii) a material reduction in EMPLOYEE's benefits as compared to the benefits in effect on the Effective Date; (iv) EMPLOYEE must perform a significant portion of his duties at a location other than COMPANY headquarters; or (v) COMPANY headquarters are relocated more than 50 miles from the current location in Santa Barbara, California.

4.1.6.       Change of Control.  If employment is terminated within TWELVE (12) months after the occurrence of any of the events described as a Change of Control under the provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan as then defined at the time of such Change of Control,  EMPLOYEE shall be entitled to severance compensation pursuant to Section 4.2.6 (i) and (ii),  and (iii).

4.2       EMPLOYEE's Rights Upon Termination

4.2.1    Death.  Upon termination of this Agreement because of death of EMPLOYEE pursuant to Section 4.1.1 above, COMPANY shall have no further obligation to EMPLOYEE under the Agreement except to distribute to EMPLOYEE's estate or designated beneficiary any unpaid compensation and reimbursable expenses, less applicable withholdings, owed to EMPLOYEE prior to the date of EMPLOYEE's death.

4.2.2    Disability.   Upon termination of this Agreement because of Disability of EMPLOYEE pursuant to Sections 4.1.2 above, COMPANY shall have no further obligation to EMPLOYEE under the Agreement except to distribute to EMPLOYEE's estate or designated beneficiary any unpaid compensation and reimbursable expenses, less applicable withholdings, owed to EMPLOYEE prior to the date of EMPLOYEE's termination due to Disability.

4.2.3        Discontinuance Of Business.  Upon termination of this Agreement because of discontinuation of COMPANY's business pursuant to Section 4.1.3, COMPANY shall have no further obligation to EMPLOYEE under the Agreement except to distribute to EMPLOYEE any unpaid compensation and reimbursable expenses, less applicable withholdings, owed to EMPLOYEE prior to the date of termination of this Agreement.

4.2.4    Termination With Cause.  Upon termination of EMPLOYEE's employment for Cause pursuant to Section 4.1.4, COMPANY  shall have no further obligation to EMPLOYEE under this Agreement except to distribute to EMPLOYEE:

i.  Any compensation and reimbursable expenses owed to EMPLOYEE by COMPANY through the termination date, less applicable withholdings; and

ii.  Severance compensation as provided for in COMPANY's Severance Policy, if any, less applicable withholdings.

4.2.5    Termination Without Cause; Resignation for Good Reason.  Upon termination of EMPLOYEE's employment by COMPANY without cause pursuant to Section 4.1.5, or if EMPLOYEE terminates this Agreement at any time for Good Reason, COMPANY shall have no further obligation to EMPLOYEE under this Agreement except to distribute to EMPLOYEE:

i.   Any compensation then due EMPLOYEE in accordance with Section 3.1.1 , and reimbursable expenses owed by COMPANY to EMPLOYEE through the termination date, less applicable withholdings; and

ii.  Payment of full COBRA premium for TWELVE (12) months following termination.  Should EMPLOYEE discontinue COBRA coverage or elect alternative coverage, a cash payment will not be provided in lieu of payment of premium; and

iii. Severance compensation totaling TWELVE- (12) months base pay, plus ONE (1) month base pay for each full year of service, determined at EMPLOYEE's then-current rate of base pay.  In consideration for this severance compensation, EMPLOYEE, on behalf of himself, his agents, heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, expressly releases and forever discharges COMPANY and its successors and assigns, and all of its respective agents, directors, officers, partners, employees, representatives, insurers, attorneys, parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, and joint ventures, and each of them, from any and all claims based upon acts or events that occurred on or before the date on which EMPLOYEE accepts the severance compensation, including any claim arising under any state or federal statute or common law, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. " 2000e, et seq., the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. " 12101, et seq., the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 29 U.S.C. " 623, et. seq., the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, 29 U.S.C. " 2101, et. seq., and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, Cal. Gov't Code " 12940, et seq. EMPLOYEE acknowledges that he is familiar with section 1542 of the California Civil Code, which reads as follows:

A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.

EMPLOYEE expressly acknowledges and agrees that he is releasing all known and unknown claims, and that he is waiving all rights he has or may have under Civil Code Section 1542 or under any other statute or common law principle of similar effect.  EMPLOYEE acknowledges that the benefits he is receiving in exchange for this Release are more than the benefits to which he otherwise would have been entitled, and that such benefits constitute valid and adequate consideration for this Release.  EMPLOYEE further acknowledges that he has read this Release, understands all of its terms, and has consulted with counsel of his choosing before signing this Agreement. 

Severance compensation pursuant to this paragraph shall be in lieu of any other severance benefit to which EMPLOYEE would otherwise be entitled, under either any other provision to this Agreement or any COMPANY policies in effect on the date of execution of this Agreement.  Severance compensation shall be paid upon termination of EMPLOYEE's employment and in one lump sum payment at the date of termination, less applicable withholdings.

4.2.6        Termination Due to Change Of Control.   If employment is terminated within TWELVE (12) months AFTER any of the events delineated in Section 4.1.6 of this Agreement ("Change of Control"),COMPANY shall have no further obligation to EMPLOYEE under this Agreement except to distribute to EMPLOYEE:

i.    Any compensation then due EMPLOYEE in accordance with Section 3.1.1  and reimbursable expenses owed by COMPANY to EMPLOYEE through the termination date, less applicable withholdings; and

ii.   A pro-rated share of the Cash Incentive Bonus that would be due to EMPLOYEE if EMPLOYEE had remained employed with COMPANY through the last day of the fiscal year for which the cash incentive bonus is calculated, less applicable withholdings and/or any other applicable bonus or compensation program as approved by the Board of Directors; and

iii.  Any options awarded and pursuant to the Long-Term Incentive Plan applicable to EMPLOYEE's option award(s); and

iv.  Payment of full COBRA premium for TWELVE (12) months following termination. Should EMPLOYEE discontinue COBRA coverage or elect alternative coverage, a cash payment will not be provided in lieu of payment of premium; and

v.  Severance compensation totaling TWELVE (12) months base pay, plus ONE (1) month base pay for each full year of service, determined at EMPLOYEE's then-current rate of base pay.  In consideration for this severance compensation, EMPLOYEE, on behalf of himself, his agents, heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, expressly releases and forever discharges COMPANY and its successors and assigns, and all of its respective agents, directors, officers, partners, employees, representatives, insurers, attorneys, parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, and joint ventures, and each of them, from any and all claims based upon acts or events that occurred on or before the date on which EMPLOYEE accepts the severance compensation, including any claim arising under any state or federal statute or common law, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. '' 2000e, et seq., the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. '' 12101, et seq., the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 29 U.S.C. ''  623, et seq., the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, 29 U.S.C. '' 2101, et seq., and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, Cal. Gov't Code '' 12940, et seq.  EMPLOYEE acknowledges that he is familiar with section 1542 of the California Civil Code, which reads as follows:

             A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.

            EMPLOYEE expressly acknowledges and agrees that he is   releasing all known and unknown claims, and that he is           waiving all rights he has or may have under Civil Code Section 1542 or under any other statute or common law principle of similar effect.  EMPLOYEE acknowledges that the benefits he is receiving in exchange for this Release are more than the benefits to which he otherwise would have been entitled, and that such benefits constitute valid and adequate consideration for this Release.  EMPLOYEE   further acknowledges that he has read this Release, understands all of its terms, and has consulted with counsel of his choosing before signing this Agreement. 

            Severance compensation pursuant to this paragraph shall be in lieu of any other severance benefit to which EMPLOYEE       would otherwise be entitled, either under any provision to this Agreement or any COMPANY policies in effect on the date of execution of this Agreement.  Severance compensation shall be paid upon termination of EMPLOYEE's employment and in one lump sum payment at the date of termination, less applicable withholdings.

5.         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

5.1  Representations of EMPLOYEE.  EMPLOYEE represents and warrants that EMPLOYEE has all right, power, authority and capacity, and is free to enter into this Agreement; that by doing so, EMPLOYEE will not violate or interfere with the rights of any other person or entity; and that EMPLOYEE is not subject to any contract, understanding or obligation that will or might prevent, interfere with or impair the performance of this Agreement by EMPLOYEE.  EMPLOYEE shall indemnify and hold COMPANY harmless with respect to any losses, liabilities, demands, claims, fees, expenses, damages and costs (including attorneys' fees and court costs) resulting from or arising out of any claim or action based upon EMPLOYEE's entering into this Agreement.

5.2  Representations of COMPANY.  COMPANY represents and warrants that it has all right, power and authority, without the consent of any other person, to execute and deliver, and perform its obligations under, this Agreement.  All corporate and other actions required to be taken by COMPANY to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of all transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and properly taken.  This Agreement is the lawful, valid and legally binding obligation of COMPANY enforceable in accordance with its terms.

5.3  Materiality of Representations.  The representations, warranties and covenants set forth in this Agreement shall be deemed to be material and to have been relied upon by the parties hereto.

6.         COVENANTS

6.1  Nondisclosure and Invention Assignment.  EMPLOYEE acknowledges that, as a result of performing the Services, EMPLOYEE shall have access to confidential and sensitive information concerning COMPANY's business including, but not limited to, their business operations, sales and marketing data, and manufacturing processes.  EMPLOYEE also acknowledges that in the course of performing the Services, EMPLOYEE may develop new product ideas or inventions as a result of COMPANY's information.  Accordingly, to preserve COMPANY's confidential information and to assure it the full benefit of that information, EMPLOYEE shall, as a condition of employment with COMPANY, execute COMPANY's standard form of Employee Confidentiality Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A, and execute updated versions of the Employee Confidentiality Agreement as it may be modified from time to time by COMPANY and as may be required of similarly-situated executives of COMPANY.  The Employee Confidentiality Agreement is incorporated herein by this reference.  EMPLOYEE's obligations under the Employee Confidentiality Agreement continue beyond the termination of this Agreement.

6.2  Covenant Not to Compete.  In addition to the provisions of the Employee Confidentiality Agreement, EMPLOYEE shall abide by the following covenant not to compete if COMPANY, at its option upon the termination of this Agreement (regardless of the reason for the termination), exercises this Covenant Not to Compete.  COMPANY shall notify EMPLOYEE within ten (10) days of termination of this Agreement of its intention to exercise this option and make an additional payment to EMPLOYEE of six (6) months' base pay determined at EMPLOYEE's last rate of pay with COMPANY.  EMPLOYEE agrees that for a period of one (1) year following the termination of this Agreement, he shall not directly or indirectly for EMPLOYEE, or as a member of a partnership, or as an officer, director, stockholder, employee, or representative of any other entity or individual, engage, directly or indirectly, in any business activity which is the same or similar to work engaged in by EMPLOYEE on behalf of COMPANY within the same geographic territory as EMPLOYEE's work for COMPANY and which is directly competitive with the business conducted or to EMPLOYEE's knowledge, contemplated by COMPANY at the time of termination of this Agreement, as defined in the Employee Confidentiality Agreement incorporated into this Agreement by reference.  EMPLOYEE may accept employment with an entity competing with COMPANY only if the business of that entity is diversified and EMPLOYEE is employed solely with respect to a separately-managed and separately-operated part of that entity's business that does not compete with COMPANY.  Prior to accepting such employment, EMPLOYEE and the prospective employer entity shall provide COMPANY with written assurances reasonably satisfactory to COMPANY that EMPLOYEE will not render services directly or indirectly to any part of that entity's business that competes with the business of COMPANY.

6.3  Covenant to Deliver Records.  All memoranda, notes, records and other documents made or compiled by EMPLOYEE, or made available to EMPLOYEE during the term of this Agreement concerning the business of COMPANY, shall be and remain COMPANY's property and shall be delivered to COMPANY upon the termination of this Agreement or at any other time on request. 

6.4  Covenant Not To Recruit.  EMPLOYEE shall not, during the term of this Agreement and for a period of one (1) year following termination of this Agreement, directly or indirectly, either on EMPLOYEE's own behalf, or on behalf of any other individual or entity, solicit, interfere with, induce (or attempt to induce) or endeavor to entice away any employee associated with COMPANY to become affiliated with him or any other individual or entity. 

7.         CERTAIN RIGHTS OF COMPANY

7.1  Announcement.  COMPANY shall have the right to make public announcements concerning the execution of this Agreement and certain terms thereof. 

7.2  Use of Name, Likeness and Biography.  COMPANY shall have the right (but not the obligation) to use, publish and broadcast, and to authorize others to do so, the name, approved likeness and approved biographical material of EMPLOYEE to advertise, publicize and promote the business of COMPANY and its affiliates, but not for the purposes of direct endorsement without EMPLOYEE's consent.  An "approved likeness" and "approved biographical material" shall be, respectively, any photograph or other depiction of EMPLOYEE, or any biographical information or life story concerning the professional career of EMPLOYEE. 

7.3  Right to Insure.  COMPANY shall have the right to secure in its own name, or otherwise, and at its own expense, life, health, accident or other insurance covering EMPLOYEE, and EMPLOYEE shall have no right, title or interest in and to such insurance.  EMPLOYEE shall assist COMPANY in procuring such insurance by submitting to examinations and by signing such applications and other instruments as may be required by the insurance carriers to which application is made for any such insurance.

8.         ASSIGNMENT

Neither party may assign or otherwise dispose of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party except as provided in this Section.  COMPANY may assign and transfer this Agreement, or its interest in this Agreement, to any affiliate of COMPANY or to any entity that is a party to a merger, reorganization, or consolidation with COMPANY, or to a subsidiary of COMPANY, or to any entity that acquires substantially all of the assets of COMPANY or of any division with respect to which EMPLOYEE is providing services (providing such assignee assumes COMPANY's obligations under this Agreement).  EMPLOYEE shall, if requested by COMPANY, perform EMPLOYEE's duties and Services, as specified in this Agreement, for the benefit of any subsidiary or other affiliate of COMPANY.  Upon assignment, acquisition, merger, consolidation or reorganization, the term "COMPANY" as used herein shall be deemed to refer to such assignee or successor entity.  EMPLOYEE shall not have the right to assign EMPLOYEE's interest in this Agreement, any rights under this Agreement, or any duties imposed under this Agreement, nor shall EMPLOYEE or his spouse, heirs, beneficiaries, executors or administrators have the right to pledge, hypothecate or otherwise encumber EMPLOYEE's right to receive compensation hereunder without the express written consent of COMPANY.  

9.         RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES

In the event of any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or in any way relating to the employment of EMPLOYEE which leads to the filing of a lawsuit, the parties agree that venue and jurisdiction shall be in Santa Barbara County, California.  The prevailing party in any such litigation shall be entitled to an award of costs and reasonable attorneys' fees to be paid by the losing party.

10.       GENERAL PROVISIONS

10.1  Notices.  Notice under this Agreement shall be sufficient only if personally delivered by a major commercial paid delivery courier service or mailed by certified or registered mail (return receipt requested and postage pre-paid) to the other party at its address set forth in the signature block below or to such other address as may be designated by either party in writing.  If not received sooner, notices by mail shall be deemed received five (5) days after deposit in the United States mail.

10.2  Agreement Controls.  Unless otherwise provided for in this Agreement, the COMPANY's policies, procedures and practices shall govern the relationship between EMPLOYEE and COMPANY.  If, however, any of COMPANY's policies, procedures and/or practices conflict with this Agreement (together with any amendments hereto), this Agreement (and any amendments hereto) shall control.

10.3  Amendment and Waiver.  Any provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified and the observance of any provision may be waived (either retroactively or prospectively) only by written consent of the parties.  Either party's failure to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of that party's right to enforce such provision.

10.4  Governing Law.  This Agreement and the performance hereunder shall be interpreted under the substantive laws of the State of California.

10.5  Force Majeure.  Either party shall be temporarily excused from performing under this Agreement if any force majeure or other occurrence beyond the reasonable control of either party makes such performance impossible, except a Disability as defined in this Agreement, provided that the party subject to the force majeure provides notice of such force majeure at the first reasonable opportunity.  Under such circumstances, performance under this Agreement which related to the delay shall be suspended for the duration of the delay provided the delayed party shall resume performance of its obligations with due diligence once the delaying event subsides.  In case of any such suspension, the parties shall use their best efforts to overcome the cause and effect of such suspension.

10.6  Remedies.  EMPLOYEE acknowledges that because of the nature of COMPANY's business, and the fact that the services to be performed by EMPLOYEE pursuant to this Agreement are of a special, unique, unusual, extraordinary, and intellectual character which give them a peculiar value, a breach of this Agreement shall cause substantial injury to COMPANY for which money damages cannot reasonably be ascertained and for which money damages would be inadequate.  EMPLOYEE therefore agrees that COMPANY shall have the right to obtain injunctive relief, including the right to have the provisions of this Agreement specifically enforced by any court having equity jurisdiction, in addition to any other remedies that COMPANY may have.

10.7  Severability.  If any term, provision, covenant, paragraph, or condition of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary so this Agreement shall otherwise remain enforceable in full force and effect.

10.8  Construction.  Headings and captions are only for convenience and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.  Whenever the context requires, words, used in the singular shall be construed to include the plural and vice versa, and pronouns of any gender shall be deemed to include the masculine, feminine, or neuter gender.

10.9  Counterpart Copies.  This Agreement may be signed in counterpart copies, each of which shall represent an original document, and all of which shall constitute a single document.

10.10 No Adverse Construction.  The rule that a contract is to be construed against the party drafting the contract is hereby waived, and shall have no applicability in construing this Agreement or the terms hereof. 

10.11 Entire Agreement.  With respect to its subject matter, namely, the employment by COMPANY of EMPLOYEE, this Agreement (including the documents expressly incorporated therein, such as the Employee Confidentiality Agreement), contains the entire understanding between the parties, and supersedes any prior agreements, understandings, and communications between the parties, whether oral, written, implied or otherwise, including, but not limited to, the original offer of employment letter.

10.12 Assistance of Counsel.  EMPLOYEE expressly acknowledges that he was given the right to be represented by counsel of his own choosing in connection with the terms of this Agreement.

The parties execute this Agreement as of the date stated below:
 

EMPLOYEE                                              MENTOR CORPORATION

/s/A. CHRIS FAWZY 11/5/04                       By /s/JOSHUA LEVINE 11/5/04
A. Chris Fawzy/Date                                    Joshua Levine/Date
                                                                  President/CEO
                                                                  Mentor Corporation

NOTICE ADDRESS                                      NOTICE ADDRESS:
6001 Paseo Palmilla                                     201 Mentor Drive
Goleta, California 93117                                Santa Barbara, California 93111

EX-10 4 q22005ex10-3optionag.htm FORM OF OPTION AGREEMENT Mentor Corporation - Option Agreement and Sample Form

EXHIBIT 10.3

MENTOR CORPORATION
FORM OF OPTION AGREEMENT

Please see your "Notice of Grant of Stock Options & Option Agreement"(the "Notice of Grant") for specifics of this Grant as to Optionee name, number of shares, exercise price per share, vesting schedule and expiration date.

1.         Grant of Option.  Mentor Corporation ("Company"), a Minnesota corporation, hereby grants to the named optionee ("Optionee") an incentive stock option ("Option") within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code"), to purchase the total number of option shares of Common Stock of the Company ("Option Shares") at the exercise price per share set forth on the Notice of Grant ("Exercise Price") subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement and the Mentor Corporation Amended 2000 Long-Term Incentive Plan, ("Plan"), the provisions of which are incorporated into this Option Agreement by this reference.

2.         Exercise Period of Option.  Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement, this option will become exercisable as to the number of shares and on the dates specified in the exercise schedule on the Notice of Grant.  The exercise schedule shall be cumulative; for example, if the Optionee does not exercise any portion of the Option during the second year after grant, the Optionee shall become entitled to purchase up to one-half of the shares at any time during the third year after grant.  This Option will expire at midnight on the expiration date specified on the Notice of Grant, ("Expiration Date") and must be exercised, if at all, on or before the Expiration Date.

3.         Compliance.  The grant of options and the issuance of Common Stock under such options are subject to the Company's procurement of all approvals and permits required by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the Plan and the securities issuable thereunder.  It is possible that the Company could be prevented or delayed from granting options or from issuing shares of Common Stock under the Plan in the event one or more required approvals or permits were not obtained.

4.         Limitation on Incentive Option Tax Treatment.  Optionee understands that to the extent that the aggregate fair market value of the shares of Common Stock (determined at the date of grant) for which an option may for the first time become exercisable in any calendar year as an Incentive Option under the Federal tax laws may not exceed $100,000.  To the extent you hold two (2) or more Incentive Options which become exercisable for the first time in the same calendar year, the $100,000 limitation will be applied on the basis of the order in which those options were granted.  Options, which do not qualify for Incentive Option treatment under the Federal tax laws by reason of this dollar limitation, may nevertheless be exercised as Non-Statutory Options in the calendar year in which they become exercisable for the excess number of shares. 

5.         Termination of Option.  Except as provided in this Section, this Option will terminate, and may not be exercised, if Optionee ceases to be an Eligible Person, (as defined in the Plan), in the event of termination of service, or upon the occurrence of certain other events.

            If Optionee ceases to be an Eligible Person for any reason except death, this Option, to the extent that it is exercisable on the date on which the Optionee ceases to be an Eligible Person ("Termination Date"), may be exercised by the Optionee within three months after the Termination Date, but in any event no later than the Expiration Date set forth in Section 2 above.

            If Optionee ceases to be an Eligible Person of the Company because of his or her death, this Option, to the extent that it is exercisable on the Termination Date, may be exercised by the Optionee or the Optionee's estate, heirs, or legatees (as the case may be) within twelve months after the Termination Date, but in any event no later than the Expiration Date set forth in Section 2 above.

6.         Manner of Exercise. To exercise your option, you must provide the Company with written notice of the exercise in which you indicate the number of shares to be purchased under your option.  The notice must be accompanied by full payment of the exercise price for the purchased shares, applicable taxes, together with appropriate proof that the person exercising the option (if other than yourself) has the right to affect such exercise.  You will be required to satisfy all applicable income and employment tax withholding requirements at that time. The exercise date will be the date that this notice is deliverable to the Company, or a later date set forth in the notice ("Exercise Date").

7.         Nontransferability.  This Option may not be transferred in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and may be exercised during the lifetime of the Optionee only by the Optionee.  The terms of this Option are binding upon the executors, administrators, successors and assigns of the Optionee.

8.         Withholding.  Optionee agrees, as a condition to the exercise of this Option, to make full payment or other appropriate arrangement with the Plan Administrator and the Company or its subsidiary employing or retaining Optionee (if any) for the satisfaction of any federal, state, or local income tax withholding requirements and federal social security employment tax requirements applicable to the exercise of this option or the sales of shares acquired under this Option. 

9.         Adjustments.  If any change is made to the Option Shares (whether by reason of merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares, exchange of shares, or other change in corporate or capital structure of the company), then, unless such change results in the termination of all outstanding Options, the Committee will make appropriate adjustments to the kind, price per share, and maximum number of shares subject to this Option.  The adjustments made by the Committee shall be final, binding, and conclusive.

10.        Change in Control

            Acceleration of Excercisability.  In the event of a "Change in Control" of the Company, as defined in the Plan ("Change of Control"), all options held by a person under the Plan that shall not have expired, shall become immediately exercisable in full.  The acceleration of the exercisability of options shall be effective immediately prior to (but subject to the actual occurrence of) the applicable Change in Control, and each optionee shall be entitled to exercise his or her accelerated options in advance prior to the Change in Control, provided that such Change in Control actually occurs and that such optionee has not voluntarily terminated his or her position with the Company prior to the occurrence of such Change in Control.

            Optional Actions.  In the event the Committee determines in good faith that a Change in Control may be imminent, the Committee may, but shall not be obligated to:

            (1)        If the Change in Control is a merger or consolidation or a statutory share exchange, make provision for the protection of the outstanding options granted under the Plan by the substitution, in lieu of such options, of options to purchase such numbers of shares of appropriate voting common stock of the corporation surviving any merger or consolidation or, if appropriate, of the parent corporation of the Company or such surviving corporation ("Survivor's Stock") as the Committee deems equitable, or, alternatively, by the delivery of such numbers of shares of the Survivor's Stock as have a fair market value as of the date of the Change in Control equal to the product of (i) the amount by which the Change in Control Proceeds per Share (as defined in the Plan) exceeds the option exercise price per share times (ii) the numbers of common shares covered by the respective options; or

            (2)        At least ten (10) days prior to any Change in Control, declare, and provide written notice to each optionee of the declaration, that each outstanding option, whether or not then exercisable, shall be cancelled at the time of the Change in Control (unless it shall have been exercised prior to the occurrence of the Change in Control) in exchange for payment to each optionee, within ten days after the Change in Control, of cash equal to the amount (if any), for each share covered by the cancelled option, by which the Change in Control Proceeds per share (as defined in the Plan) exceeds the exercise price per share covered by such option.

            No such action by the Committee shall in any way affect the acceleration of the exercisability of options pursuant to Paragraph (a), above, and each optionee shall have the right, during the period preceding the Change in Control, to exercise his or her option as to all or any part of the shares covered thereby in accordance with said Paragraph (a).  In the event of a declaration pursuant to Paragraph (b), above, each outstanding option granted pursuant to the Plan that shall not have been exercised prior to the Change in Control shall be cancelled at the time of the Change of Control.

            Any action taken by the Committee under Paragraph (b), above, in contemplation of an expected Change in Control shall be null and void in the event such Change in Control does not actually occur.

11.        No Employment Contract. Nothing in this Option Agreement, Notice of Grant, or in the Plan shall confer upon Optionee any right to continue in Service for any period of specific duration or interfere with or otherwise restrict in any way the rights of the Company, (or Parent or Subsidiary employing or retaining the Optionee) or of Optionee.  The rights are hereby expressly reserved by each, to terminate Optionee's Service at any time for any reason, with or without cause.

12.        Governing Law.  This Notice of Grant, Option Agreement and the Plan shall be governed, construed and administered in accordance with the laws of the State of California.


SAMPLE

Notice of Grant of Stock Options                                                                                         Mentor Corporation
and Option Agreement                                                                                                        ID: 41-0950791
                                                                                                                                            201 Mentor Drive
                                                                                                                                            Santa Barbara, CA 93111

Optionee                                                                                                                               Option Number:
                                                                                                                                            Plan:  2000
                                                                                                                                            ID:

Effective xx/xx/xxxx, you have been granted an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option to buy xxxx shares of Mentor Corporation (the "Company") stock at an exercise price of $ xx.xx per share.

The total option price of the shares granted is $ xxx,xxx.xx.

Shares in each period will become fully vested on the date shown.

Shares

Vest Type

Full Vest

Expiration

_____

_______

______

_______

_____

_______

______

_______

_____

_______

______

_______

_____

_______

______

_______

By your signature and the Company's signature below, you (the "Optionee"), and the Company agree and you understand and agree that this Option is granted subject to and in accordance with the terms of the Mentor Corporation Amended 2000 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan").  You further agree to be bound by the terms of the Plan and the terms of the Option as set forth in the Option Agreement attached hereto and made a part of this agreement.

Definitions.  All captialized terms in this Notice shall have the meaning assigned to them in this Notice, in the Plan, or in the attached Option Agreement.

Optionee acknowledges that a copy of the official Prospectus for the Plan (the "Prospectus") has not been delivered concurrently with this notice and in lieu of delivery, Optionee has been advised that a true and correct copy of the Prospectus and the Plan is available via the Company's intranet, or in the alternative, Optionee may request a printed copy of the Prospectus or the Plan from the Corporate Secretary through the Company's principal office.

______________________________                                       _________________
Mentor Corporation                                                                         Date

______________________________                                       _________________
Optionee                                                                                            Date

EX-10 5 q22005ex10-4directorsfees.htm DESCRIPTION OF DIRECTORS FEES EXHIBIT 10

EXHIBIT 10.4

MENTOR CORPORATION

WRITTEN DESCRIPTION OF DIRECTORS FEES
PURSUANT TO ITEM 601(b)(10)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K

 

            Each non-employee member of the Board of Directors of Mentor Corporation receives a quarterly fee of $12,500, equaling a total annual fee of $50,000.  The Presiding Independent Director receives an additional $5,000 per quarter, bringing the total annual fee for the Presiding Independent Director to $70,000.  In addition, under the Company's 2000 Long-Term Incentive Plan, each non-employee member of the Board of Directors is eligible to receive options to purchase shares of the Company's common stock. 

EX-10 6 q22005ex10-5bonusplan.htm DESCRIPTION OF BONUS PLANS The following executive officers of the Company participate in the Quarterly Incentive Bonus Plan and the Annual Incentive Bon

EXHIBIT 10.5

MENTOR CORPORATION

DESCRIPTION OF
COMPANY INCENTIVE BONUS PLANS

The Company Incentive Bonus Plans consist of a Quarterly Incentive Bonus Plan and an Annual Incentive Bonus Plan. 

Quarterly Incentive Bonus Plan.  Essentially all U.S. employees, excluding sales representatives, are eligible to participate in this plan.  Under this plan, participants are eligible to receive a quarterly incentive bonus equal to one-half of one percent (0.5%) of their salaries.  The bonus is earned if the Company achieves its targeted consolidated operating earnings for the applicable quarter, as established by the Board of Directors at the beginning of the fiscal year.  To receive the Quarterly Incentive Bonus, a participant must be actively employed throughout the applicable quarter and when the bonus is distributed.

Annual Incentive Bonus Plan.  Essentially all U.S. management employees are eligible to participate in this plan.  Under this plan, participants are eligible to receive an annual incentive bonus equal to a designated percentage of their salaries.  To receive the Annual Incentive Bonus, a participant must be employed at the end of the fiscal year and when the bonus is distributed, and participants who were not actively employed for the full fiscal year will be eligible for a bonus on a pro-rated basis.  The maximum bonus percentage that participants can earn under this plan, assuming achievement of all individual goals and Company targets, ranges from 6.6% to 79.2% of their base salary, depending on the participant's managerial level. 

The Annual Incentive Bonus Plan is designed around two general concepts: individual performance and Company achievement of its consolidated operating income targets. 

Each participant is eligible to receive up to 30% of his or her total bonus potential under the Annual Incentive Bonus Plan, provided the Company's operating income equals or exceeds its threshold for the year, as established by the Board of Directors at the beginning of the fiscal year.  The actual pay-out for this portion of the bonus will be based on the participant's accomplishment of his or her specified objectives, as well as an assessment of his or her overall performance. 

Each participant is also eligible to receive up to an additional 70% of his or her total bonus potential under the Annual Incentive Bonus Plan, provided the Company's operating income equals or exceeds its threshold for the year, which is also established by the Board of Directors.  This threshold is set higher than the minimum threshold required to trigger the 30% portion of the bonus described above.  Once the minimum threshold is achieved, further operating income targets on a sliding scale allow for a percentage of the bonus pay-out based on the level of actual corporate operating income achieved.  The participant's actual pay-out will be adjusted based on an assessment of the individual's overall performance. 

EX-10 7 q22005ex10-6carallowance.htm DESCRIPTION OF CAR ALLOWANCE PLAN EXHIBIT 10

EXHIBIT 10.6

MENTOR CORPORATION

WRITTEN DESCRIPTION OF
CAR ALLOWANCE PLAN

POLICY

A.        The Company has the option to purchase or lease cars for selected employees.

B.         An employee who is entitled to a Company Car has the option to receive a car allowance in lieu of a Company owned or leased car.   A 4-door sedan or a Sport Utility Vehicle ("SUV") is considered an acceptable car under this program.  Two seat cars or convertibles are not acceptable.

C.        The following are the monthly allowed expenses either as a car allowance or a monthly lease payment:

1.         Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, or Executive Vice President - $1250 per month

2.         Senior Vice Presidents - $1000 per month

3.         Executive Officers and Other Designated Executives reporting directly to the CEO and/or his Designee(s) - $800 per month

4.         Other Eligible Employees - $600-$833 per month

EX-31 8 q22005ex31-1.htm CERTIFICATION EXHIBIT 31

EXHIBIT 31.1

§302 CERTIFICATION

I, Joshua H. Levine, certify that:

1.    I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Mentor Corporation;

2.    Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.    Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.    The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

(a)   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)   Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report, based on such evaluation; and

(c)   Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

5.    The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

(a)   All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)   Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date:  November 5, 2004                                     /s/JOSHUA H. LEVINE
                                                                             Joshua H. Levine
                                                                             President and Chief Executive Officer
                                                                             (Principal Executive Officer)

EX-31 9 q22005ex31-2.htm CERTIFICATION

EXHIBIT 31.2

§302 CERTIFICATION

I, Loren L. McFarland, certify that:

1)       I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Mentor Corporation;

2)       Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3)       Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4)       The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

a)       Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)       Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report, based on such evaluation; and

c)       Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

5)       The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

a)       All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)       Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date:  November 5, 2004                                      /s/LOREN L. MCFARLAND
                                                                  Loren L. McFarland
                                                                  Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
                                                                  (Principal Financial Officer)

EX-32 10 q22005ex32-1.htm CERTIFICATION EXHIBIT 32

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Mentor Corporation (the "Company") on Form 10‑Q for the quarter ending September 30, 2004 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Joshua H. Levine, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge:

(1)        The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)        The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.

/s/JOSHUA H. LEVINE
Joshua H. Levine
President and Chief Executive Officer
November 5, 2004

EX-32 11 q22005ex32-2.htm CERTIFICATION EXHIBIT 32

 

EXHIBIT 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Mentor Corporation (the "Company") on Form 10‑Q for the quarter ending September 30, 2004 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Loren L. McFarland, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge:

(1)        The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)        The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.

/s/LOREN L. MCFARLAND
Loren L. McFarland
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
November 5, 2004

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