EX-99.1 9 file009.htm PRESS RELEASE


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT
Andrew Meyers
President and CEO
Langer, Inc.
(631) 667-1200
ameyers@langerinc.com



               LANGER, INC. COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF SILIPOS, INC.

  - Accretive Transaction Significantly Increases Size of Langer and Scope of
                               Product Offerings

      - Appoints Acting Chief Operating Officer in Connection with Closing


DEER PARK, NY-- October 1, 2004 -- Langer Inc. (NasdaqSC: GAIT) is pleased to
announce the completion of its acquisition of Silipos, Inc. from SSL
International plc ("SSL"). Silipos is a leading manufacturer of gel-based
products focused on the orthopedic, prosthetic and skincare markets, and
operates out of a 40,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Niagara Falls, NY
as well as a sales and marketing office in New York City.

The acquisition has an aggregate transaction value of $15.5 million, including
$5.0 million of cash paid at closing, a $7.5 million promissory note due on or
before March 31, 2006 and a second $3.0 million promissory note due on or before
December 31, 2009. Up to $2.5 million of additional payments may be made to SSL
in the future under certain circumstances.

"The completion of this acquisition represents a significant step in the
development of our company," said Langer President and CEO Andrew H. Meyers. "In
February 2001, when the current Langer management group invested in Langer, the
Company was generating approximately $11 million in annual revenues. Through the
integration of previous acquisitions, organic growth, and now with the Silipos
acquisition, Langer's pro forma annual revenues will approximate $44 million. In
addition, we expect that this acquisition will improve our consolidated gross
profit margin by approximately 7 percentage points and increase our operating
cash flow. We believe this added scale and profitability will substantially
improve our ability to execute our stated strategy of growth both organically as
well as through targeted acquisitions."

Mr. Meyers continued: "We believe this combination will improve the strategic
positioning of both Langer and Silipos in their core markets. We anticipate that
the two businesses will be able to leverage their customer relationships to
drive organic growth through an expanded range of products, enhanced research
and development capabilities that take advantage of Silipos' patent protected
technologies, and the exploitation of Langer and Silipos management's expertise
across each of our business lines. As such, we believe the combination of Langer
and Silipos will broaden our ability to compete in our identified markets and
augment our ability to serve customers with leading orthopedic and prosthetic
products. In addition, Silipos' skincare business provides the company with an
entry into the multi-billion dollar cosmeceutical market, rounding out our
strategy focused on the orthopedic, which includes orthotic and prosthetic
products, and skincare markets. In terms of geographical focus, this combination
has the added benefit of significant overlap in the North American market, while
at the same time providing increased scale and product breadth in our UK
operations. Langer and Silipos each have a strong presence in the UK and we
expect this combination will yield dividends as the teams work together to
better serve their customers."



Mr Meyers added: "Lastly, on a personal note, we would like to welcome all of
the Silipos associates to our Company. Silipos has a solid base of dedicated
employees as well as a strong management team that brings significant experience
to bear on their business. We look forward to working with them as partners to
grow the combined company."

In connection with the closing, Langer is also pleased to announce the
appointment of W. Gray Hudkins as Acting Chief Operating Officer. Prior to
joining Langer, Mr. Hudkins served as Director of Corporate Development for
Clarus Corporation and Net Perceptions, Inc., and as a Principal for Kanders &
Company. In his role at Kanders & Company, Mr. Hudkins advised Langer on the
purchase of Silipos, and brings experience in operations and corporate
development to his position. Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Meyers stated,
"Gray has served an important role for Langer by spearheading the Silipos
acquisition process. He brings experience in a number of different disciplines
that will strengthen our management team. We are delighted to welcome him
aboard."

Langer, Inc., based in Deer Park, Long Island, New York, with additional
fabricating facilities in Brea, California, Montreal, Canada and Stoke-On-Trent,
UK, and a sales office in Toronto, Canada, is a leading provider of high quality
orthotics and gait-related products sold to practitioners treating
musculo-skeletal disorders.


Statements in this press release may be "forward-looking statements." These
statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as
"believes," "expects," "plans," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "could,"
"may," "will," "should", or "anticipates" or the negative thereof, other
variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy. No
assurance can be given that future results covered by the forward-looking
statements will be achieved. Such forward-looking statements include, but are
not limited to, those relating to the Langer's financial and operating
prospects, future opportunities, Langer's ability to acquire suitable companies
and to successfully integrate acquired companies and assets, outlook of
customers, and reception of new products, technologies, and pricing. In
addition, such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties, and other factors including those described from time to time in
the Langer's Registration Statement on Form S-3, most recent Form 10-K and
10-Q's and other Langer filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission
which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Langer to be
materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Also, Langer's business could be materially
adversely affected and the trading price of the Langer's common stock could
decline if any such risks and uncertainties develop into actual events. Langer
undertakes no obligation to make any revisions to the forward-looking statements
contained in this release or to update them to reflect events or circumstances
occurring after the date of this release.