UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported):  February 14, 2008

 

Merit Medical Systems, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Utah

 

0-18592

 

87-0447695

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(Commission

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

File Number)

 

Identification No.)

 

 

 

 

 

1600 West Merit Parkway

 

 

South Jordan, Utah

 

84095

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(801) 253-1600

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o                    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o                    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o                    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o                    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 



 

 

Item 2.02.   Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On February 14, 2008, Merit Medical Systems, Inc. (“Merit”) issued a press release announcing its operating and financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2007.  The full text of Merit’s press release, together with related unaudited financial statements, is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.

 

The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K (including the exhibit) is furnished pursuant to General Instruction B. 2 of Form 8-K and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing made by Merit under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

 

Item 9.01.   Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(d)

Exhibits

 

 

99.1

Press Release dated February 14, 2008, entitled “Merit Medical Reports Record 4Q Revenues and Net Income Up 55%,” together with related unaudited financial statements.

 

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.

 

 

 

Date: February 14, 2008

By:

/s/ Kent W. Stanger

 

 

Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer

 

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

EXHIBIT
NUMBER

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

99.1

 

Press Release dated February 14, 2008 entitled “Merit Medical Reports Record 4Q Revenues and Net Income Up 55%.”

 

 

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Exhibit 99.1

1600 West Merit Parkway · South Jordan, UT  84095

Telephone:  801-253-1600 · Fax:  801-253-1688

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Date:

 

February 14, 2008

Contact:

 

Anne-Marie Wright, Vice President, Corporate Communications

Phone:

 

(801) 208-4167 e-mail: awright@merit.com Fax: (801) 253-1688

 

MERIT MEDICAL REPORTS RECORD 4Q REVENUES

AND NET INCOME UP 55%

 

                SOUTH JORDAN, UTAH— Merit Medical Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MMSI), a manufacturer and marketer of proprietary disposable devices used primarily in cardiology and radiology procedures, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

 

                For the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company reported record revenue of $54.3 million, a 7% increase over revenue of $50.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2006.  Net income for the fourth quarter of 2007 was $4.7 million, or $0.17 per share, up 55% compared to net income of $3.1 million, or $0.11 per share, reported for the fourth quarter of 2006.

 

                For the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company reported record revenue of $207.8 million, a 9% increase over revenue of $190.7 million reported for the year ended December 31, 2006.  In addition, the Company reported net income of $15.6 million, or $0.55 per share, for calendar year 2007, an increase of 27% compared to net income of $12.3 million, or $0.44 per share, for calendar year 2006.

 

                For the fourth quarter of 2007, compared to the fourth quarter of 2006, catheter sales rose 15%; stand-alone device sales increased 12%; inflation device sales rose 6%; and custom kit and tray sales were essentially unchanged.

 

                Sales in each of the Company’s product categories grew for the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to the year ended December 31, 2006, as catheter sales rose 18%; stand-alone device sales increased 12%; custom kit and tray sales rose 7%; and inflation device sales rose 5%.

 



 

“We executed our plan for margin expansion and profitability while adding new technology and product opportunities,” said Fred P. Lampropoulos, Merit’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.  “Our goals were accomplished in challenging market conditions.  We believe our new product releases and continued attention to our profit and margin plan will contribute to efforts to reach our goals of improving gross margins 150 basis points and improving profits by at least 20% year over year.”

 

                Gross margins increased 250 basis points in the fourth quarter of 2007 to 39.8% of sales, up from 37.3% of sales in the fourth quarter of 2006.  This was the third consecutive quarter of improvement in gross margins and was primarily due to higher productivity from our workforce, which allowed for a 13% reduction in manufacturing and engineering headcount, increased automation and other cost savings projects, and moving some production to Mexico.  Gross margins were up slightly from 38.3% of sales for calendar year 2006 to 38.4% of sales for calendar year 2007.

 

                Selling, general and administrative expenses were 23.1% and 23.2% of sales for the fourth quarter and calendar year 2007, respectively, compared with 23.4% and 23.9% of sales for the comparable periods of 2006, respectively.

 

                Research and development costs were 3.9% and 4.2% of sales, for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2007, respectively, compared to 4.6% and 4.5% of sales for the comparable periods of 2006, respectively.

 

                Merit’s effective tax rates for the fourth quarter and calendar year 2007 were 33.5% and 33.4%, respectively, compared to 35.5% and 35.9% for the same periods of 2006, respectively.

 

                The Company earned a record $30.7 million in cash from operations for the year ended December 31, 2007, up from $19.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2006.  The Company’s cash position increased to $17.6 million on December 31, 2007, compared to $9.8 million on December 31, 2006.  This cash position was net of $5.4 million spent for stock repurchases and $4.7 million spent on acquisitions.

 

 

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INCOME STATEMENT

(Unaudited, in thousands except per share data)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
December 31,

 

Twelve Months Ended
December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SALES

 

$

54,343

 

$

50,816

 

$

207,768

 

$

190,674

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COST OF SALES

 

32,729

 

31,853

 

127,977

 

117,596

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GROSS PROFIT

 

21,614

 

18,963

 

79,791

 

73,078

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

12,553

 

11,909

 

48,133

 

45,486

 

Research and development

 

2,127

 

2,361

 

8,688

 

8,582

 

Total

 

14,680

 

14,270

 

56,821

 

54,068

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

 

6,934

 

4,693

 

22,970

 

19,010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

145

 

70

 

393

 

250

 

Other (expense)

 

34

 

(29

)

36

 

(76

)

Total other income - net

 

179

 

41

 

429

 

174

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 

7,113

 

4,734

 

23,399

 

19,184

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 

2,385

 

1,681

 

7,811

 

6,883

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME

 

$

4,728

 

$

3,053

 

$

15,588

 

$

12,301

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EARNINGS PER SHARE-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.17

 

$

0.11

 

$

0.57

 

$

0.45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

$

0.17

 

$

0.11

 

$

0.55

 

$

0.44

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AVERAGE COMMON SHARES-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

27,340,755

 

27,509,033

 

27,424,686

 

27,333,146

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

28,037,986

 

28,630,264

 

28,204,235

 

28,244,948

 

 

 

3



 

BALANCE SHEET

(Unaudited in thousands)

 

 

 

December 31,
2007

 

December 31,
2006

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

17,574

 

$

9,838

 

Trade receivables, net

 

26,619

 

25,745

 

Employee receivables

 

144

 

194

 

Other receivables

 

1,140

 

192

 

Inventories

 

34,106

 

38,562

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

1,297

 

1,031

 

Deferred income tax assets

 

3

 

2

 

Income tax refunds receivable

 

297

 

82

 

Total Current Assets

 

81,180

 

75,646

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

99,696

 

92,383

 

Other intangibles, net

 

6,163

 

4,350

 

Goodwill

 

9,527

 

7,541

 

Other assets

 

2,964

 

2,656

 

Deferred income tax assets

 

4

 

2

 

Deposits

 

78

 

90

 

Total Assets

 

$

199,612

 

$

182,668

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Trade payables

 

10,275

 

10,598

 

Accrued expenses

 

9,492

 

8,464

 

Advances from employees

 

267

 

245

 

Deferred income tax liabilities

 

35

 

190

 

Income taxes payable

 

737

 

1,177

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

20,806

 

20,674

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income tax liabilities

 

5,239

 

5,469

 

Liabilities related to unrecognized tax positions

 

3,611

 

 

 

Deferred compensation payable

 

3,063

 

2,869

 

Deferred credits

 

2,105

 

2,239

 

Other long-term obligations

 

420

 

205

 

Total Liabilities

 

35,244

 

31,456

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

52,477

 

54,394

 

Retained earnings

 

111,947

 

96,969

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(56

)

(151

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

164,368

 

151,212

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

199,612

 

$

182,668

 

 

 

4



 

CONFERENCE CALL

 

                Merit Medical invites all interested parties to participate in its fourth quarter and year-end conference call today, February 14, 2008, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern (4:00 p.m. Central, 3:00 p.m. Mountain, and 2:00 p.m. Pacific).  The domestic phone number is 800-866-5043, and the international number is 303-262-2137.  A live webcast as well as a rebroadcast can be accessed through the Investors page at www.merit.com or through the webcasts tab at www.fulldisclosure.com.

 

ABOUT MERIT

 

Founded in 1987, Merit Medical Systems, Inc. is engaged in the development, manufacture and distribution of proprietary disposable medical devices used in interventional and diagnostic procedures, particularly in cardiology and radiology.  Merit serves client hospitals worldwide with a domestic and international sales force totaling approximately 90 individuals.  Merit employs approximately 1,520 people worldwide, with facilities in Salt Lake City and South Jordan, Utah; Angleton, Texas; Richmond, Virginia; Maastricht and Venlo, The Netherlands; and Galway, Ireland.

 

Statements contained in this release, which are not purely historical, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995 and are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Merit’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.  Such risks and uncertainties include product recalls and product liability claims; infringement of Merit’s technology or the assertion that Merit’s technology infringes the rights of other parties; termination of relationship with suppliers, or failure of suppliers to perform; inability to successfully manage growth through acquisitions; delays in obtaining regulatory approvals, or the failure to maintain such approvals; concentration of Merit’s revenues among a few products and procedures; development of new products and technology that could render Merit’s products obsolete, market acceptance of new products, introduction of products in a timely fashion, price and product competition, availability of labor and materials, cost increases, and fluctuations in and obsolescence of inventory; volatility of the market price of Merit’s common stock; foreign currency fluctuations; key personnel; work stoppage or transportation risks; modification or limitation of governmental or private insurance reimbursement, changes in health care markets related to health care reform initiatives; and other factors referred to in Merit’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  All subsequent forward-looking statements attributable to Merit or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.  Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.  Financial estimates are subject to change and are not intended to be relied upon as predictions of future operating results, and Merit assumes no obligation to update or disclose revisions to those estimates.

 

# # #

 

 

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