NATURAL ALTERNATIVES INTERNATIONAL INC - Quarter Report: 2002 September (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2002

Commission file number 0-15701

NATURAL ALTERNATIVES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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

At November 1, 2002, the registrant had 5,804,267 outstanding shares of common stock, $.01 par value, net of 272,400 treasury shares.

Part I. Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements

Natural Alternatives International, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Natural Alternatives International, Inc.
Consolidated Statements Of Operations And Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the Three Months Ended September 30
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Natural Alternatives International, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Three Months Ended September 30
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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NATURAL ALTERNATIVES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1  –  Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Natural Alternatives International, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Natural Alternatives International Europe (“NAIE”), (the “Company”) and have been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.  The Company suggests that these unaudited consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K.  In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make certain estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.  Actual results may differ from such estimates.  In the opinion of the Company, all adjustments necessary to present fairly the information in the following unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company have been included.  The results of operations for such interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year.

Inventories

Inventories are recorded at the lower of cost (first in, first out) or market (net realizable value).  Inventories were as follows (dollars in thousands):

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation.  Property and equipment were as follows (dollars in thousands):

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NATURAL ALTERNATIVES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

The Company computes net income (loss) per share in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 128, “Earnings Per Share.”  This statement requires the presentation of basic net income (loss) per share, using the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period, and diluted net income (loss) per share, using the additional dilutive effect of all dilutive securities. The dilutive impact of stock options account for the additional weighted average shares of common stock outstanding for the Company’s diluted net income (loss) per share computation. Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share are calculated as follows (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):

For the three months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, there were outstanding options to purchase 110,000 and 615,400 shares, respectively, of common stock, that were not included in the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share as their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations.”  This statement addresses financial accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs.  It applies to (a) all entities and (b) legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development and/or normal operation of long-lived assets, except for certain obligations of lessees.  This statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002.  The adoption of SFAS No. 143 had no impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Also in August 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” which establishes one accounting model to be used for long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale and broadens the presentation of discontinued operations to include more disposal transactions.  SFAS No. 144 supersedes SFAS No. 121, “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of” and the accounting and reporting provisions of APB Opinion No. 30, “Reporting the Results of Operations—Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions” for the disposal of a segment of a business (as previously defined in that Opinion).  The provisions of SFAS No. 144 are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001.  The adoption of SFAS No. 144 had no impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

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NATURAL ALTERNATIVES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

In April 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, “Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections,” which rescinds SFAS No. 4, “Reporting Gains and Losses from Extinguishment of Debt” and an amendment of that Statement, and SFAS No. 64, “Extinguishments of Debt Made to Satisfy Sinking-Fund Requirements.”  SFAS No. 145 also rescinds SFAS No. 44, “Accounting for Intangible Assets of Motor Carriers.”  SFAS No. 145 amends SFAS No. 13, “Accounting for Leases,” to eliminate an inconsistency between the required accounting for sale-leaseback transactions and the required accounting for certain lease modifications that have economic effects that are similar to sale-leaseback transactions.  SFAS No. 145 also amends other existing authoritative pronouncements to make various technical corrections, clarify meanings, or describe their applicability under changed conditions.  SFAS No. 145 is effective for fiscal years beginning after May 15, 2002.  The adoption of SFAS No. 145 had no impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In June 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities,” which addresses significant issues regarding the recognition, measurement, and reporting of costs associated with exit and disposal activities, including restructuring activities.  This statement requires that costs associated with exit or disposal activities be recognized when they are incurred rather than at the date of a commitment to an exit or disposal plan.  SFAS No. 146 is effective for all exit or disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002.  We do not expect the adoption of this statement will have a material impact on our results of operations or financial position.

Note 2  –  Economic Dependency

The Company had substantial sales to two separate customers during the periods shown in the following table. The loss of either of these customers could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s sales and earnings.  Net sales by customer, representing 10% or more of the respective quarter’s total net sales, are shown below (dollars in thousands):

(a) Percent of total net sales

Accounts receivable from these customers totaled $3.0 million and $2.5 million at September 30, 2002 and June 30, 2002, respectively.

Direct-to-consumer sales were approximately $2.6 million and $2.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

The Company purchases certain products it does not manufacture from a limited number of raw material suppliers.  The Company had substantial purchases from three separate suppliers during the periods shown in the following table.  The loss of any of these suppliers could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s sales and earnings.

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NATURAL ALTERNATIVES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Raw material purchases, representing 10% or more of the respective quarter’s raw material purchases, are shown below (dollars in thousands):

            (a)        Percent of total raw material purchases
            (b)        Purchases were less than 10% of total raw material purchases

Accounts payable to suppliers representing 10% or more of raw material purchases for the quarter ended September 30, 2002, was $519,000 and $721,000 at September 30, 2002 and June 30, 2002, respectively.

Note 3  –  Segment Information

The Company’s segment information by geographic area was as follows (dollars in thousands):

Note 4-  Financial Condition

Effective July 1, 2002, the Company and a lender amended the working capital line of credit agreement.  Under the terms of the amended agreement, maximum borrowings remained at $2.5 million, the interest rate was decreased to prime plus 0.5% and existing financial covenants were removed.  The amended agreement required the Company to maintain a minimum cash balance of $1.5 million with the secured creditor.  The minimum cash balance requirement was reflected as restricted cash in the accompanying balance sheet as of September 30, 2002.  The amount outstanding under the amended working capital line of credit agreement was due upon expiration of the agreement on October 31, 2002.

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NATURAL ALTERNATIVES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

On November 9, 1999, the Company entered into a term note agreement for $2.5 million, secured by equipment, at an annual interest rate of 9.2%. The note has a five-year term that provides for principal and interest payable in monthly installments of $52,000.  As of September 30, 2002 the outstanding amount was $1.2 million. 

Effective October 31, 2002, the Company entered into a new $6.5 million two-year credit facility.  The new facility is comprised of a $4 million working capital line of credit and a $2.5 million term loan.  The interest rate on the line of credit and term loan is prime plus 0.5%.  The new facility replaced the $2.5 million line of credit that expired on October 31, 2002 and refinanced the term note with $1.2 million outstanding.

On May 2, 1996, the Company entered into a term note agreement for $1.1 million, secured by a building, at an annual interest rate of 8.25%. The note is due in June 2011 and provides for principal and interest payable in monthly installments of $10,800.  As of September 30, 2002 the outstanding amount was $797,000.

The composite interest rate on all outstanding debt at September 30, 2002 and 2001 was 7.37% and 7.51%, respectively.

Note 5-  Contingencies

The Company was a plaintiff in an antitrust lawsuit against several manufacturers of vitamins and other raw materials purchased by the Company.  Other similarly situated companies filed a number of similar lawsuits against some or all of the same manufacturers.  The Company’s lawsuit was consolidated with some of the others and captioned In re: Vitamin Antitrust Litigation, and was pending in U.S. District Court in Washington D.C.  A final settlement payment of $225,000 was received by the Company and is included in proceeds from vitamin antitrust litigation in the accompanying statement of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2002.  All of its claims under the Vitamin Antitrust Litigation were settled.

The Company is involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, after consultation with its legal counsel, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

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

Certain Forward-Looking Information

Information provided in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are not historical facts and information. These statements represent the Company’s expectations or beliefs, including, but not limited to, statements concerning future financial and operating results, statements concerning industry performance, the Company’s operations, economic performance, financial condition, margins and growth in sales of the Company’s products, capital expenditures, financing needs, as well as assumptions related to the foregoing. For this purpose, any statements contained in this Quarterly Report that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “could,” “estimate” or “continue” or the negative or other variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes for future periods to differ materially from any forward-looking statement or views expressed herein. The Company’s financial performance and the forward-looking statements contained herein are further qualified by other risks including but not limited to those set forth herein and in the Company’s most recent Form 10-K.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The Company’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based upon its 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 the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.  On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates the estimates including those related to bad debts and inventories.  The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions 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.

The Company believes the following critical accounting policies affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements:

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts – the Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments.  If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowance may be required.

Reserve for Inventory – the Company records valuation reserves on its inventory for estimated excess and obsolete inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future product demand and market conditions.  If future product demand or market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory reserves may be required.

Depreciation of Long-Lived Assets – the Company assigns useful lives for long-lived assets based on periodic studies of actual asset lives and the intended use for those assets.  Any change in these asset lives would be reported in the statement of operations as soon as any change in estimate is determined.

Accounting for Income Taxes – the Company is required to estimate income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which it operates.  This process involves estimating actual current tax exposure for the Company together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items, such as property, plant and equipment depreciation, for tax and financial reporting purposes.  Actual income taxes could vary from these estimates due to future changes in income tax law or results from final tax exam

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reviews.  At September 30, 2002, the Company assessed the need for a valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets.  A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.  Based upon the historical operating losses and the uncertainty regarding sufficient near term taxable income, management believes that this evidence creates sufficient uncertainty regarding the realizability of the net deferred tax assets.  Therefore, a full valuation allowance  is recorded at September 30, 2002.  Should the Company determine that it would be able to realize all or part of its net deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would be recorded to operations in the period such determination was made.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

First Quarter Fiscal 2003 (“fiscal 2003”)
versus First Quarter Fiscal 2002 (“fiscal 2002”)

Consolidated net sales increased 32% to $13.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2003 from $9.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2002.  The consolidated net sales growth resulted primarily from a $2.6 million or 34% increase in contract manufacturing sales and a $582,000 or 29% growth in direct-to-consumer sales.  The growth in contract manufacturing sales to $10.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2003 from $7.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2002 is primarily due to new products sold to existing major contract manufacturing customers.  The growth in direct-to-consumer sales to $2.6 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2003 from $2.0 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2002 is primarily due to six additional product offerings.  NAIE contract manufacturing net sales were $1.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2003 compared to $1.7 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2002.

Gross profit margin was 24.3% for the first quarter of fiscal 2003 compared to 20.5% for the first quarter of fiscal 2002.  The increase in gross profit margin is primarily due to improvement in fixed cost leverage resulting from additional sales volumes, offset partially by an increase in the material cost as a percent of net sales to 52% for the first quarter of fiscal 2003 from 48% for the first quarter of fiscal 2002.  The increase in material cost as a percent of net sales was primarily due to producing $1.8 million of new contract manufacturing products that have a higher material cost than in the comparable quarter last year.

Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) increased 14% to $2.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2003 from $2.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2002.  The increase of $300,000 is primarily due to increases in direct-to-consumer fulfillment costs for incremental orders of $193,000, in strengthening sales and executive management teams of $120,000, in insurance premiums of $100,000, in information systems costs of $86,000, in clinical study costs of $96,000, partially offset by a $297,000 reduction in legal costs.  Overall, SG&A decreased as a percentage of net sales to 21.3% for the first quarter of fiscal 2003 from 24.8% in the comparable quarter last year.

The Company recorded income from operations of $403,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 2003 compared to a loss from operations of ($430,000) for the first quarter of fiscal 2002.  The increase in income from operations of $833,000 was due primarily to improved gross margin on higher net sales, partially offset by the incremental SG&A expenses discussed above.

Proceeds from vitamin antitrust litigation for the first quarter of fiscal 2003 includes receipt of the final settlement payment of $225,000 from the Vitamin Antitrust Litigation.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company has historically financed its operations through cash flow from operations, its working capital line of credit facilities and equipment financing arrangements. 

At September 30, 2002, the Company had cash and working capital of $2.8 million and $9.6 million, respectively, compared to $640,000 and $8.7 million, respectively, at June 30, 2002.  The improvement in working capital is primarily due to the $1.1 million of cash flow from operations generated during the first quarter of fiscal 2003.

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Effective October 31, 2002, the Company entered into a new $6.5 million two-year credit facility.  The facility is comprised of a $4 million working capital line of credit and a $2.5 million term loan.  The working capital line of credit is subject to eligibility requirements for current accounts receivable and inventory balances.  The interest rate on the line of credit and term loan is prime plus 0.5%.  The new facility replaced the $2.5 million line of credit that expired on October 31, 2002, and refinanced the $1.2 million outstanding term note.  The new working capital line of credit provided a $1.3 million increase in the Company’s cash position, freed up $1.5 million of cash previously restricted as collateral for the prior line of credit and provided an additional $1.5 million of borrowing capacity.

The Company believes that its available cash and existing credit facility should be sufficient to fund near-term operating activities. However, the Company’s ability to fund future operations and meet capital requirements will depend on many factors, including but not limited to: continued profitability from operations, maintaining adequate financing, the effectiveness of the Company’s diversified growth strategy, the effectiveness of the expansion of European operations, the ability to establish additional customers and changes to existing customers’ business.

RISK FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE OPERATING RESULTS

In addition to the other information included in this Report, the following factors should be considered in evaluating the Company’s business and future prospects. The Company’s business and results of operations could be seriously harmed by any of the following risks.  In addition, the market price of our common stock could decline due to any of these risks.

Recent Operating Income; Increasing Sales

The Company’s income from operations was $403,000 for the first quarter ended September 30, 2002, compared to a loss from operations of ($430,000) for the quarter ended September 30, 2001.  Sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2003 increased to $13.1 million, compared to $9.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2002.  There can be no assurance that income from operations will continue. The Company expects operating results may further fluctuate from period to period as a result of differences in when it incurs expenses and recognizes revenues from product sales.  Some of these fluctuations may be significant.

Reliance on Limited Number of Customers

For the first quarter ended September 30, 2002, the Company had two major customers, which together accounted for approximately 64% of the Company’s net sales. The loss of either of these major customers, or any substantial reduction of their purchases from the Company, would have a material adverse impact on the business, operations and financial condition of the Company.

Reliance on a Key Personality

For the first quarter ended September 30, 2002, the Company’s DTC product line was approximately 20% of the Company’s net sales.  DTC products are marketed with a key personality through a variety of distribution channels including weekly television programming, internet and a monthly newsletter.  The inability of the key personality to fulfill his current role, the reduction of television exposure or the reduction of internet or mailing capabilities would have a material adverse impact on the business, operations and financial condition of the Company.

Potential for Increased Competition

The market for the Company’s products is highly competitive.  The Company competes with other dietary supplement products and over-the-counter pharmaceutical manufacturers. Among other factors, competition among these manufacturers is based upon price.  If one or more manufacturers significantly reduce their prices in an effort to gain market share, the Company’s business, operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.  Many of the Company’s competitors, particularly manufacturers of nationally advertised brand name products, are larger and have resources substantially greater than those of the Company.  There has been speculation about the potential for increased participation in these markets by major international pharmaceutical companies.  In the future, if not already, one or more of these companies could seek to compete more directly with the Company by manufacturing and distributing

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their own or others’ products, or by significantly lowering the prices of existing national brand products. The Company sells substantially all of its supplement products to customers who re-sell and distribute the products.  Although the Company does not currently participate significantly in other channels such as health food stores, direct mail, and internet sales, the Company is expanding its operations and its products, including direct mail and internet sales, and will likely face increased competition in such distribution and sales channels as more vendors and customers utilize them.

Availability of Line of Credit

Effective October 31, 2002, the Company entered into a new $6.5 million two-year credit facility.  The liquidity provided by a line of credit is an important component of a sound financial management plan.  Failure to maintain the new line of credit could materially impair the Company’s ability to fund growth in operations or meet other working capital needs in the future.

Reliance on Limited Number of Suppliers; Availability and Cost of Purchased Materials

The Company purchases certain products it does not manufacture from a limited number of raw material suppliers.  For the first quarter ended September 30, 2002, the Company had three major suppliers, which together accounted for 47% of raw material purchases.  No other supplier represented more than 10% of total raw material purchases for the first quarter ended September 30, 2002.  Although the Company currently has supply arrangements with several suppliers of these raw materials, and such materials are generally available from numerous sources, the termination of the supply relationship by any material supplier or an unexpected interruption of supply could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, operations and financial condition.

The Company relies on a single supplier to process certain raw materials for a product line of the Company’s largest customer. An unexpected interruption of supply of this service would materially adversely affect the Company’s business, operations and financial condition.

Decline in Stock Price

The Company’s stock price has experienced volatility, has generally declined during the past few years and is currently near historic lows.  In view of the Company’s recent results and the fact there can be no assurances of future profitability, there can be no assurance that the stock price will not decline.  Market conditions in the vitamin and nutritional supplement industry, such as increased price competition, consolidation, oversupply of vitamin and supplement products, operating results of competitors, adverse publicity and other factors such as customer and product announcements by the Company and operating results which are lower than the expectations of analysts and our investors, may have a continuing adverse effect on the price of the Company’s stock.

Effect of Adverse Publicity

The Company’s products consist primarily of dietary supplements (vitamins, minerals, herbs and other ingredients).  The Company regards these products as safe when taken as suggested by the Company.  In addition, various scientific studies have suggested the ingredients in some of the Company’s products may involve health benefits.  The Company believes the growth in the dietary supplements business of the last several years may, in part, be based on significant media attention and various scientific research suggesting potential health benefits from the consumption of certain vitamin products. The Company is indirectly dependent upon its customers’ perception of the overall integrity of its business, as well as the safety and quality of its products and similar products distributed by other companies that may not adhere to the same quality standards as the Company.  The business, operations, and financial condition of the Company could be adversely affected if any of the Company’s products or any similar products distributed by other companies should prove or be asserted to be harmful to consumers, or should scientific studies provide unfavorable findings regarding the effect of products similar to those produced by the Company.

Exposure to Product Liability Claims

The Company, like other retailers, distributors and manufacturers of products that are ingested, faces a risk of exposure to product liability claims in the event that, among other things, the use of its products allegedly results in injury.  The Company maintains product liability insurance coverage, including primary product

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liability and excess liability coverage.  The cost of such coverage has increased dramatically in the last year and the availability of adequate insurance coverage has decreased.  There can be no assurance that adequate product liability insurance will continue to be available at an economically reasonable cost or that the Company’s insurance will be adequate to cover any liability the Company incurs in respect to all possible product liability claims.  In addition, some of the ingredients included in one or more of the products manufactured by the Company are subject to controversy involving potential negative side effects or questionable health benefits.  Some insurers, including some providing coverage to the Company, have recently excluded certain of these ingredients from their product liability coverage. Although the Company’s product liability insurance includes certain exclusions and limitations, the Company’s insurer could expand such exclusions or limitations on coverage in the future.  In such event, the Company may have to cease utilizing the ingredients or may have to rely on indemnification or similar arrangements with its customers who wish to continue to include such ingredients in their products. In such an event, the consequential increase in product liability risk or the loss of customers or product lines could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business, operations, and financial condition.

Risks Associated with International Markets

The Company’s growth may be dependent in part upon its ability to expand its operations and those of its customers into new markets, including international markets.  For the first quarter ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, the percentage of the Company’s net sales to customers in international markets was approximately 24% and 28%, respectively.  NAIE operates a manufacturing facility in Switzerland, which is intended to facilitate an increase in sales of the Company’s products overseas and which contributed approximately 14.5% and 17.3% of the Company’s net sales for the first quarter ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The Company may experience difficulty expanding in international markets due to regulatory barriers, the necessity of adapting to new regulatory systems, and problems related to entering new markets with different cultural bases and political systems. Operating in international markets exposes the Company to certain risks, including, among other things, (1) changes in or interpretations of foreign import, currency transfer and other restrictions and regulations that among other things may limit the Company’s ability to sell certain products or repatriate profits to the United States, (2) exposure to currency fluctuations, (3) the potential imposition of trade or foreign exchange restrictions or increased tariffs, and (4) economic and political instability.  As the Company continues to expand its international operations, these and other risks associated with international operations are likely to increase.

Government Regulation

The manufacturing, processing, formulation, packaging, labeling and advertising of the Company’s products are subject to regulation by one or more federal agencies, including the United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”), the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the United States Department of Agriculture, the United States Postal Service, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.  The Company’s activities are also regulated by various agencies of the states and localities in which the Company’s products are sold.  In particular, the FDA regulates the safety, labeling and distribution of dietary supplements, including vitamins, minerals, herbs, food, and over-the-counter and prescription drugs and cosmetics.  In addition, the FTC has overlapping jurisdiction with the FDA to regulate the labeling, promotion and advertising of vitamins, over-the-counter drugs, cosmetics and foods.

The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (“DSHEA”) was enacted on October 25, 1994.  DSHEA amends the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act by defining dietary supplements, which include vitamins, minerals, nutritional supplements and herbs as a new category of food separate from conventional food.  DSHEA provides a regulatory framework to ensure safe, quality dietary supplements and the dissemination of accurate information about such products.  Under DSHEA, the FDA is generally prohibited from regulating the active ingredients in dietary supplements as drugs unless product claims, such as claims that a product may heal, mitigate, cure or prevent an illness, disease or malady, trigger drug status.

DSHEA provides for specific nutritional labeling requirements for dietary supplements.  DSHEA permits substantiated, truthful and non-misleading statements of nutritional support to be made in labeling, such as statements describing general well being resulting from consumption of a dietary ingredient or the role of a nutrient or dietary ingredient in affecting or maintaining a structure or function of the body.  The Company anticipates the FDA will finalize manufacturing process regulations that are specific to dietary supplements

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and require at least some of the quality control provisions applicable to drugs.  The Company currently manufactures its vitamins and nutritional supplement products in compliance with the food good manufacturing processes.

The FDA is developing additional regulations to implement DSHEA.  Labeling regulations may require expanded or different labeling for the Company’s vitamin and nutritional products.  The Company cannot determine what effect such regulations, when fully implemented, will have on its business in the future.  Such regulations could, among other things, require the recall, reformulation or discontinuance of certain products, additional record keeping, warnings, notification procedures and expanded documentation of the properties of certain products or scientific substantiation regarding ingredients, product claims, safety or efficacy.  Failure to comply with applicable FDA requirements could result in sanctions being imposed on the Company or the manufacturers of its products, including warning letters, fines, product recalls and seizures.

Governmental regulations in foreign countries where the Company plans to commence or expand sales may prevent or delay entry into a market or prevent or delay the introduction, or require the reformulation of certain of the Company’s products.  In addition, the Company cannot predict whether new domestic or foreign legislation regulating its activities will be enacted.  Such new legislation could have a material adverse effect on the business, operations and financial condition of the Company.

Failure to Attract and Retain Management Could Harm Our Ability to Maintain Profitability

The Company’s success is dependent in large part upon its continued ability to identify, hire, retain and motivate highly skilled management employees.  Competition for these employees is intense, and the Company may not be able to hire additional qualified personnel in a timely manner and on reasonable terms.  The majority of the Company’s current corporate officers began their employment with the Company in fiscal years 2002 and 2001.  The inability of the Company to retain competent professional management could adversely affect our ability to execute our business strategy.

Centralized Location of Manufacturing Operations

The Company currently manufactures the vast majority of its products at its manufacturing facilities in Southern California. Accordingly, any event resulting in the slowdown or stoppage of the Company’s manufacturing operations or distribution facilities in Southern California could have a material adverse effect on the Company.  The Company maintains business interruption insurance. There can be no assurance, however, that such insurance will continue to be available at a reasonable cost or, if available, will be adequate to cover any losses that may be incurred from an interruption in the Company’s manufacturing and distribution operations.

Concentration of Ownership; Certain Anti-Takeover Considerations

The Company’s directors and executive officers beneficially own in excess of 27.2% of the outstanding common stock as of September 30, 2002.  Accordingly, these shareholders will continue to have the ability to substantially influence the management, policies and business operations of the Company. The Company’s Board of Directors has the authority to approve the issuance of 500,000 shares of preferred stock and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, of those shares without any further vote or action by the Company’s shareholders.  The rights of the holders of Common Stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of holders of any preferred stock that may be issued in the future.  Certain provisions of Delaware law, as well as the issuance of preferred stock, and other “anti-takeover” provisions in the Company’s Articles and Bylaws, could delay or inhibit the removal of incumbent directors and could delay, defer, make more difficult or prevent a merger, tender offer or proxy content, or any change in control involving the Company, as well as the removal of management, even if such events would be beneficial to the interests of the Company’s shareholders, and may limit the price certain investors may be willing to pay in the future for shares of common stock.

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Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company is exposed to market risks from adverse changes in interest rates, and foreign exchange rates affecting the return on our investments and the cost of our debt. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments to reduce the impact of changes in interest or foreign exchange rates.

At September 30, 2002 the Company’s cash equivalents consisted of financial instruments with original maturities of three months or less. 

The Company’s debt as of September 30, 2002 totaled $3.4 million and was comprised of fixed rate loans of $2.0 million and variable rate loans of $1.4 million. The average composite interest rates at September 30, 2002 for fixed rate and variable rate loans were 8.8% and 5.25%, respectively.

Item 4.   Controls and Procedures

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer believe the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14, are effective.  This conclusion was reached after an evaluation of these controls and procedures as of September 30, 2002.

We are not aware of any significant changes in the Company’s internal controls, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses, or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls after September 30, 2002.

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Part II.   Other Information

ITEM 1.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company was a plaintiff in an antitrust lawsuit against several manufacturers of vitamins and other raw materials purchased by the Company.  Other similarly situated companies filed a number of similar lawsuits against some or all of the same manufacturers.  The Company’s lawsuit was consolidated with some of the others and captioned In re: Vitamin Antitrust Litigation, and was pending in U.S. District Court in Washington D.C.  A final settlement payment of $225,000 was received by the Company and is included in proceeds from vitamin antitrust litigation in the accompanying statement of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2002.  All of its claims under the Vitamin Antitrust Litigation were settled.

The Company is involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, after consultation with its legal counsel, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

ITEM 2.   CHANGES IN SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 3.   DEFAULTS BY THE COMPANY ON ITS SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4.   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None.

ITEM 5.   OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 6.   EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)     Exhibits 99.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer, Mark A. LeDoux and Chief Financial Officer, Randell Weaver.

(b)     No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter for which this report is filed.

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.

NATURAL ALTERNATIVES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

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Certifications

I, Mark A. LeDoux, Chief Executive Officer of Natural Alternatives International, Inc., certify that:

1.      I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Natural Alternatives International, Inc.;

2.     Based on my knowledge, this quarterly 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 quarterly report;

3.     Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly 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 quarterly report;

4.     The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:

5.     The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and audit committee of registrant’s board of directors:

6.     The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

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Certifications

     I, Randell Weaver, Chief Operating Officer of Natural Alternatives International, Inc., certify that:

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