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Orthofix Medical Inc. - Annual Report: 2010 (Form 10-K)

Form 10-K
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010

or

 

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

For the transition period from              to             .

Commission File Number: 0-19961

 

 

ORTHOFIX INTERNATIONAL N.V.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Curaçao   N/A

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

7 Abraham de Veerstraat

Curaçao

  N/A
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

599-9-4658525

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Common Stock, $0.10 par value   Nasdaq Global Select Market
(Title of Class)   (Name of Exchange on Which Registered)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large Accelerated filer  ¨   Accelerated filer  x   Non-accelerated filer  ¨   Smaller reporting company  ¨
    (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

The aggregate market value of registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates, based upon the closing price of the common stock on the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, June 30, 2010, as reported by the Nasdaq Global Select Market, was approximately $556.6 million.

As of February 28, 2011, 18,024,295 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding.

 

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Certain sections of the registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the Commission in connection with the 2011 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Table of Contents

 

          Page  

PART I

     4   

Item 1.

  

Business

     4   

Item 1A.

  

Risk Factors

     24   

Item 1B.

  

Unresolved Staff Comments

     35   

Item 2.

  

Properties

     36   

Item 3.

  

Legal Proceedings

     37   

Item X.

  

Executive Officers of the Registrant

     42   

Item 4.

  

(Reserved)

     43   

PART II

     44   

Item 5.

  

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

     44   

Item 6.

  

Selected Financial Data

     46   

Item 7.

  

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

     47   

Item 7A.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     67   

Item 8.

  

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

     68   

Item 9.

  

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

     68   

Item 9A.

  

Controls and Procedures

     68   

Item 9B.

  

Other Information

     68   

PART III

     69   

Item 10.

  

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

     69   

Item 11.

  

Executive Compensation

     69   

Item 12.

  

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

     69   

Item 13.

  

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

     69   

Item 14.

  

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

     69   

PART IV

     70   

Item 15.

  

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

     70   

 

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Forward-Looking Statements

This Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, relating to our business and financial outlook, which are based on our current beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of our future performance and involve risks, uncertainties, estimates and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, our actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any such statement, or the risk factors described in Item 1A under the heading “Risk Factors,” to reflect new information, the occurrence of future events or circumstances or otherwise.

Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences may include, but are not limited to, risks relating to the expected sales of our products, including recently launched products, unanticipated expenditures, changing relationships with customers, suppliers, strategic partners and lenders, changes to and the interpretation of governmental regulations, ongoing governmental investigations of our businesses which could result in civil or criminal liability or findings of violations of law (as further described in the “Legal Proceedings” section of this Form 10-K), risks relating to the protection of intellectual property, changes to the reimbursement policies of third parties, the impact of competitive products, changes to the competitive environment, the acceptance of new products in the market, conditions of the orthopedic industry, credit markets and the economy, corporate development and market development activities, including acquisitions or divestitures, unexpected costs or operating unit performance related to recent acquisitions, and other risks described in Item 1A under the heading “Risk Factors” in this Form 10-K.

 

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PART I

 

Item 1. Business

In this Form 10-K, the terms “we”, “us”, “our”, “Orthofix” and “our Company” refer to the combined operations of all of Orthofix International N.V. and its respective consolidated subsidiaries and affiliates, unless the context requires otherwise.

Company Overview

We are a diversified orthopedic products company offering a broad line of surgical and non-surgical products for the Spine, Orthopedics, Sports Medicine and Other Products market sectors. Our products are designed to address the lifelong bone-and-joint health needs of patients of all ages, helping them achieve a more active and mobile lifestyle. We design, develop, manufacture, market and distribute medical equipment used principally by musculoskeletal medical specialists for orthopedic applications. Our main products are invasive and minimally invasive spinal implant products and related human cellular and tissue based products (“HCT/P products”), non-invasive bone growth stimulation products used to enhance the success rate of spinal fusions and to treat non-union fractures, external and internal fixation devices used in fracture treatment, limb lengthening and bone reconstruction, and bracing products used for ligament injury prevention, pain management and protection of surgical repair to promote faster healing. Our products also include a device for cold therapy and bone cement and devices for removal of bone cement used to fix artificial implants.

We have administrative and training facilities in the United States (“U.S.”) and Italy and manufacturing facilities in the U.S., the United Kingdom, Italy and Mexico. We directly distribute our products in the U.S., the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, Belgium, Brazil and Puerto Rico. In several other markets we distribute our products through independent distributors.

Orthofix International N.V. is a limited liability company operating under the laws of Curacao. The company was formed on October 19, 1987 under the laws of the Netherlands Antilles, with the principal offices on the island of Curacao. Curacao became a separate and autonomous country on October 10, 2010. Our principal executive offices are located at 7 Abraham de Veerstraat, Curaçao, telephone number: 599-9-465-8525. Our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, Annual Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A and amendments to those reports, are available free of charge on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Information on our website or connected to our website is not incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K. Our Internet website is located at http://www.orthofix.com. Our SEC filings are also available on the SEC Internet website as part of the IDEA database (http://www.sec.gov).

2010 and 2011 Business Highlights

Business Highlights

Key Management Changes—In January 2011, we promoted Robert S. Vaters to the position of Chief Operating Officer responsible for the day-to-day activities of our three global business units. Mr. Vaters was our Chief Financial Officer from September 2008 until this promotion. Mr. Vaters also serves as President of our Spine Global Business unit. Also, In March 2011, we promoted Brian McCollum to the position of Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance. Beginning January 1, 2011, we began managing our business by our three global business units of Spine, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine.

New Credit Agreement—In August 2010, we entered into a Credit Agreement (the “New Credit Agreement”) with certain domestic direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Company (the “Guarantors”), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, RBS Citizens, N.A., as Syndication Agent, and certain lender parties thereto. The

 

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New Credit Agreement is comprised of a $100 million secured term loan facility (the “Term Loan Facility”) and a $200 million secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility,” and together with the Term Loan Facility, the “Credit Facilities”). We used these borrowings to repay all amounts owed under a Senior Secured Bank Credit Facility (“2006 Credit Facility”) that we entered into in connection with our acquisition of Blackstone in September 2006. We terminated the 2006 Credit Facility in August 2010. The New Credit Agreement requires us to comply with leverage and fixed charge coverage ratios and contains affirmative and negative covenants. We have the ability to increase the amount of the Credit Facilities by an aggregate amount of up to $50.0 million upon satisfaction of certain conditions. These increased borrowings may be provided either by one or more existing lenders upon us obtaining the agreement of such lenders to increase commitments or by new lenders being added to the Credit Facilities.

Consolidation and Reorganization of Businesses—We have announced several initiatives to consolidate and reorganize our current businesses into global business units as well as relocate our executive offices to our new facility in Lewisville, TX. During 2010, we closed certain facilities in the U.S. and Mexico and we subleased our facility in Boston, MA. Beginning in 2011, our reportable segments will be our three global business units of Spine, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine along with corporate activities.

Divestures and Exit ActivitiesWe completed the sale of our vascular product line in March 2010 for gross proceeds of $27.7 million. The net cash proceeds of $19.0 million from the sale were used to pay down borrowings on our credit facility in advance of the scheduled maturity date. In addition, in June 2010, we terminated a distribution arrangement for anesthesia products we distributed in the United Kingdom.

Deleveraging the Balance SheetWe continue to focus on reducing the balance on our credit facility. In 2010, we made principal payments of approximately $36.3 million, of which $19.0 million related to the divesture of our vascular business. The outstanding credit facility balance was $216.2 million and $252.4 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Our leverage ratio, as defined in the credit facility, was 2.1 at December 31, 2010, compared to 2.6 at December 31, 2009.

Business Strategy

Our business strategy is to offer innovative products to the Spine, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine market sectors that reduce both patient suffering leading to a more active and mobile lifestyle and healthcare costs. Our strategy for growth and profitability includes the following initiatives by market sector:

Spine: Provide a portfolio of non-invasive and implantable products that allow physicians to successfully treat a variety of spinal conditions. Our main tactics and objectives are:

 

   

Increase revenues with market penetration of spine stimulation;

 

   

Continue new product introductions of spinal implants and biologics with a focus on building a strong foundation of competitive core fusion products to ensure that our product portfolio addresses all aspects of spinal fusion therapy including degenerative disc disease, deformity and tumor/trauma market segments;

 

   

Improve gross margins on spinal implants and biologic products with the efficient use of research and development resources, increasing operating leverage with original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) vendors, and the continued increase of Trinity® Evolution; and

 

   

Decrease sales and marketing and general and administrative expenses with the previously mentioned consolidation and reorganization plans.

 

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Orthopedics: Provide a portfolio of non-invasive and implantable products that allow physicians to successfully treat a variety of orthopedic conditions ranging from trauma to deformity correction. Our main tactics and objectives are:

 

   

Continue new and next generation product introductions;

 

   

Maintain focus on sales of external fixation, internal fixation along with deformity correction devices by expanding sales into the U.S., Latin America, Europe, and Asia;

 

   

Optimize product offerings within each of our geographic markets;

 

   

Focus on sales of long-bone stimulation and biologics in the U.S.;

 

   

Continue the introduction of Trinity® Evolution; and

 

   

Decrease sales and marketing and general and administrative expenses with the previously mentioned consolidation and reorganization plans.

Sports Medicine: Provide a portfolio of non-invasive products that allow physicians and clinicians to treat a variety of sports medicine related conditions in order to minimize pain and restore mobility to their patients. Our main tactics and objectives are:

 

   

Optimize distribution channels;

 

   

Leverage strong market share in high growth areas such as Osteoarthritis knee bracing and cold therapy; and

 

   

Launch innovative products and expand service solutions into new and existing market segments.

Other Financial and Business Initiatives:

 

   

Improve operating margins across all business units as a result of the consolidation and reorganization initiatives;

 

   

Continue to expand applications for our products by utilizing synergies among our core technologies;

 

   

Continue to enhance physician relationships through extensive product education and training programs; and

 

   

Continue to strengthen contracting, reimbursement relationships and billing capabilities.

Business Segments and Market Sectors

Through 2010, we have divided our business into four reportable segments: Domestic, Spinal Implants and Biologics, Breg, and International. Domestic consists of operations of our subsidiary Orthofix Inc., which uses both direct and distributor sales representatives to sell Spine and Orthopedic products to hospitals, doctors, and other healthcare providers in the U.S. market. Spinal Implants and Biologics consists of Blackstone Medical, Inc., and its two subsidiaries, Blackstone GmbH and Goldstone GmbH. Spinal Implants and Biologics specializes in the design, development and marketing of spinal implant and related HCT/P products. Spinal Implants and Biologics distributes its products through a network of domestic and international distributors, sales representatives and affiliates. Breg designs, manufactures, and distributes orthopedic products for post-operative reconstruction and rehabilitative patient use and sells those Sports Medicine products through a network of domestic and international distributors, sales representatives, and affiliates. International consists of locations in Europe, Mexico, Brazil, and Puerto Rico, as well as independent distributors outside the U.S. International uses both direct and distributor sales representatives to sell Spine, Orthopedics, Sports Medicine and Other Products to hospitals, doctors and other healthcare providers.

 

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Business Segments:

 

     Year ended December 31,
(US$ in thousands)
 
     2010     2009     2008  
     Net Sales      Percent of
Total Net
Sales
    Net Sales      Percent of
Total Net
Sales
    Net Sales      Percent of
Total Net
Sales
 

Domestic

   $ 228,221         41   $ 210,703         38   $ 188,807         36

Spinal Implants and Biologics

     130,523         23     118,680         22     108,966         21

Breg

     91,664         16     92,188         17     89,478         17

International

     113,962         20     124,064         23     132,424         26
                                                   

Total

   $ 564,370         100   $ 545,635         100   $ 519,675         100
                                                   

Additional financial information regarding our business segments can be found in Item 7 under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, as well as in Item 8 under the heading “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”.

We maintain our books and records by business segment; however, we use market sectors to describe our business. Our segment information is prepared on the same basis that our management reviews the financial information for operational decision making purposes. Market sectors, which categorize our revenues by types of products, describe the nature of our business more clearly than our business segments.

Our market sectors are Spine, Orthopedics, Sports Medicine and Other Products.

Market Sectors:

 

     Year ended December 31,
(US$ in thousands)
 
     2010     2009     2008  
     Net Sales      Percent of
Total Net
Sales
    Net Sales      Percent of
Total Net
Sales
    Net Sales      Percent of
Total Net
Sales
 

Spine

   $ 306,422         54   $ 279,425         51   $ 252,239         49

Orthopedics

     144,448         26     131,310         24     129,106         25

Sports Medicine

     95,462         17     96,366         18     94,528         18

Other Products

     18,038         3     38,534         7     43,802         8
                                                   

Total

   $ 564,370         100   $ 545,635         100   $ 519,675         100
                                                   

Additional financial information regarding our business segments can be found in Item 7 under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, as well as in Part II, under the heading “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”.

Products

Our revenues are generally derived from the sales of products in three market sectors, Spine (54%), Orthopedics (26%) and Sports Medicine (17%), which collectively accounted for 97% of our total net sales in 2010. Sales of our Other Products, which included vascular, airway management products for use during anesthesia, woman’s care and other products, accounted for 3% of our total net sales in 2010.

 

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The following table identifies our principal products by trade name and describes their primary applications:

 

Product

  

Primary Application

Spine Products

  
Cervical-Stim®    Pulsed electromagnetic field (“PEMF”) non-invasive cervical spine bone growth stimulator
Spinal-Stim®    PEMF non-invasive lumbar spine bone growth stimulator
Alloquent® Allografts    Interbody devices made of cortical bone that are designed to restore the space that has been lost between two or more vertebrae due to a degenerated disc
Trinity® Evolution    An adult stem cell-based bone growth matrix used during surgery that is designed to enhance the success of a spinal fusion procedure
3 Degree/Reliant Anterior Cervical Plating Systems    Plating systems implanted during anterior cervical spine fusion procedures
Hallmark® Anterior Cervical Plate System    A cervical plating system implanted during anterior cervical spine fusion procedures
Ascent® LE Posterior Occipital Cervico-Thoracic (“POCT”) System    A system of pedicle screws and rods implanted during a posterior spinal fusion procedure involving the stabilization of several degenerated or deformed cervical vertebrae
NewBridge® Laminoplasty Fixation System    A device implanted during a posterior surgical procedure designed to expand the cervical vertebrae and relieve pressure on the spinal canal
Construx® Mini Polyetheretherketones (“PEEK”) Vertebral Body Replacement (“VBR”) System    Smaller, unibody versions of the Construx PEEK VBR System, implanted during the replacement of degenerated or deformed spinal vertebrae
Construx® PEEK VBR System    A modular device implanted during the replacement of degenerated or deformed spinal vertebrae to provide additional anterior support
NGage® Surgical Mesh System    A modular metallic interbody implant placed between two vertebrae designed to restore disc space and increase stability that has been lost due to degeneration or deformity
PILLAR PL & TL PEEK VBR System    Interbody devices for Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (“PLIF”) and Trans-laminar Lumbar Interbody Fusion (“TLIF”) procedures
PILLAR AL PEEK Partial VBR System    An intervertebral body fusion device for Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (“ALIF”) procedures
PILLAR SA PEEK Spacer System    An intervertebral body fusion device that incorporates screw fixation to optimize implant stability
Firebird Spinal Fixation System    A system of rods, crossbars and modular pedicle screws designed to be implanted during a posterior lumbar spine fusion procedure
ProView Minimal Access Portal (“MAP”) System    An instrument system for minimally invasive posterior lumbar spinal fusion, including tubular and expandable retractors, a percutaneous screw delivery system and the ONYX System for Disc removal and interbody space preparation
Unity® Lumbosacral Fixation System    A plating system implanted during anterior lumbar spine fusion procedures

 

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Product

  

Primary Application

Orthopedic Products

  
Fixation    External fixation and internal fixation, including the Sheffield Ring, limb-lengthening systems, DAF, ProCallus®, XCaliber, Contours VPS®, VeroNail® and Gotfried PC.C.P®
Physio-Stim®    PEMF long bone non-invasive bone growth stimulator
Trinity® Evolution    An adult stem cell-based bone growth matrix used during surgery to facilitate bone fusion
Origen DBM with Bioactive Glass    A bone void filler
Eight-Plate Guided Growth System®    Treatment for bowed legs or knock knees of children
ISKD®    Internal limb-lengthening device
Limb Reconstruction System (“LRS”) and LRS ADVanced    External fixation for lengthenings and corrections of deformity
TrueLok    Ring fixation system for limb lengthening and deformity correction
PREFIX and PREFIX 2    External fixation range for temporary fixation of fractures in trauma
Centronail® Titanium Nailing System    Complete range of intramedullary nails including the Humeral Nail
Cemex®    Bone cement
OSCAR    Ultrasonic bone cement removal

Sports Medicine Products

  
Breg® Bracing    Bracing products which are designed to provide support and protection of limbs, extremities and back during healing and rehabilitation
Polar Care® and KODIAK®    Cold therapy products that are designed to reduce swelling, pain and accelerate the rehabilitation process
OrthoSelect services and Vision Inventory Management System    Consulting services which provide guidance and tools to improve overall practice efficiency and a web based inventory system customized to enable efficient management of orthopedic devices

We have proprietary rights in all of the above products with the exception of Cemex®, ISKD®, Eight-Plate Guided Growth System® and Contour VPS®. We have the exclusive distribution rights for the Cemex® in Italy and for the ISKD®, Eight-Plate Guided Growth System® and Contour VPS® worldwide.

We have numerous trademarked products and services including but not limited to the following: Orthofix®, Blackstone®, Breg®, Spinal-Stim®, Cervical-Stim®, Origen DBM, 3 Degree, Reliant, Hallmark®, Firebird, Ascent®, Construx®, Unity®, NGage®, Newbridge®, Trinity® Evolution, PILLAR, Alloquent®, ProView, ProCallus®, XCaliber, VeroNail®, Centronail®, PREFIX, Gotfried PC.C.P®, Physio-Stim®, TrueLok, Polar Care® and Fusion®.

Spine

Spine product sales represented 54% of our total net sales in 2010.

Neck and back pain is a common health problem for many people throughout the world and often requires surgical or non-surgical intervention for improvement. Neck and back problems are usually of a degenerative nature and are generally more prevalent among the older population. As the population ages, we believe physicians will see an increasing number of patients with degenerative spine issues who wish to have a better

 

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quality of life than that experienced by previous generations. Treatment options for spine disorders are expected to expand to fill the existing gap between conservative pain management and invasive surgical options, such as spine fusion.

We believe that our Spine products are positioned to address the needs of spine patients both operatively and post-operatively. Our products currently address the cervical fusion segment as well as the lumbar fusion segment which is the largest sub-segment of the spine market.

Our Spinal Implants and Biologics business offers a wide array of spinal implants used during surgical procedures intended to treat a variety of spine conditions. Many of these surgeries are fusion procedures in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine that utilize Spinal Implants and Biologics’ metal plates, rods and screws, interbody spacers, or vertebral body replacement devices, and HCT/P, as well as interbody spacers to promote bone growth.

Additionally, bone growth stimulators used in spinal applications are designed to enhance the success rate of certain spinal fusions by stimulating the body’s own natural healing mechanism post-surgically. These non-invasive portable devices are intended to be used as part of a home treatment program prescribed by a physician.

Spinal Implants

The human spine is made up of 33 interlocking vertebrae that protect the spinal cord and provide structural support for the body. The top seven vertebrae make up the cervical spine, which bears the weight of the skull and provides the highest range of motion. The next 17 mobile vertebrae encompass the thoracic and lumbar, or thoracolumbar, sections of the spine. The thoracic spine (12 vertebrae) helps to protect the organs of the chest cavity by attaching to the rib cage, and is the least mobile segment of the spine. The lumbar spine (five vertebrae) carries the greatest portion of the body’s weight, allowing a degree of flexion, extension and rotation thus handling the majority of the bending movement. Additionally five fused vertebrae make up the sacrum (part of the pelvis) and four vertebrae make up the final part of the spine, the coccyx.

Spinal bending and rotation are accomplished through the vertebral discs located between each vertebra. Each disc is made up of a tough fibrous exterior, called the annulus, which surrounds a soft core called the nucleus. Excess pressure, deformities, injury or disease can lead to a variety of conditions affecting the vertebrae and discs that may ultimately require medical intervention in order to relieve patient pain and restore stability in the spine.

Spinal fusion is the permanent union of two or more vertebrae to immobilize and stabilize the affected portion of the spine. Most fusion surgeries involve the placement of a bone graft between the affected vertebrae, which is typically held in place by metal implants that also provide stability to the spine until the desired growth of new bone can complete the fusion process. These implants typically consist of some combination of rods, screws and plates that are designed to remain in the patient even after the fusion has occurred.

Most fusion procedures performed on the lumbar area of the spine are done from the posterior, or back, while the majority of cervical fusions are performed from the anterior, or front, of the body. However, the growing use of mesh cages and other interbody devices has resulted in the increasing use of an anterior, or frontal, approach to many lumbar surgeries. Interbody devices are small hollow implants typically made of either bone, metal or a thermoplastic compound called Polyetheretherketones (“PEEK”) that are placed between the affected vertebrae to restore the space lost by the degenerated disc. The hollow spaces within these interbody devices are typically packed with some form of bone grafting material designed to accelerate the formation of new bone around the graft which ultimately results in the desired fusion.

 

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Spinal Implants and Biologics provides a wide array of implants designed for use primarily in cervical, thoracic and lumbar fusion surgeries. These implants are made of metal, bone, or PEEK. Additionally, Spinal Implants and Biologics’ product portfolio includes a unique adult stem cell-based HCT/P bone grafting product called Trinity® Evolution.

The majority of implants offered by Spinal Implants and Biologics are made of titanium metal. This includes the 3 Degree, Reliant and Hallmark® cervical plates. Additionally, the Spinal Fixation System (“SFS”), the Firebird Spinal Fixation Systems, the Ascent® and Ascent® LE POCT Systems are sets of rods, crossbars and screws which are implanted during posterior fusion procedures. The Firebird Modular and pre-assembled Spinal Fixation System are designed to be used in either open or minimally-invasive posterior lumbar fusion procedures with Spinal Implants and Biologics’ ProView MAP System. We also offer specialty plates that are used in less common procedures, and as such, are not manufactured by many device makers. These specialty plates include the Newbridge® Laminoplasty Fixation System that is designed to expand the cervical vertebrae and relieve pressure on the spinal canal, as well as the Unity® plate which is used in anterior lumbar fusion procedures.

Spinal Implants and Biologics also offers a variety of devices made of PEEK, including vertebral body replacements and interbody devices. Vertebral body replacements are designed to replace a patient’s degenerated or deformed vertebrae. On the other hand, interbody devices, or cages, are designed to replace a damaged disc, restoring the space that had been lost between two vertebrae. Spinal Implants and Biologics also offers the NGage® Surgical Mesh System made of titanium metal.

Spinal Implants and Biologics is also a distributor of HCT/P products including interbody implants made of human cadaveric bone that have been harvested from donors and carved by a machine into a desired shape, and a unique adult stem cell-based product that is intended to enhance a patient’s ability to quickly grow new bone around a spinal fusion site. This product contains live adult stem cells harvested from human cadaveric donors and is intended to be a safer, simpler alternative to an autograft, which is commonly performed in connection with a spine fusion procedure. An autograft involves a separate surgical incision in the patient’s hip area in order to harvest the patient’s own bone to be used during the fusion procedure. An autograft procedure adds risk of an additional surgical procedure and related patient discomfort in conjunction with the spinal fusion.

Spinal Bone Growth Stimulators

Separate from Spinal Implants and Biologics, we offer two spinal bone growth stimulation devices, Spinal-Stim® and Cervical-Stim®, through our subsidiary, Orthofix Inc. Our stimulation products use a PEMF technology designed to enhance the growth of bone tissue following surgery and are placed externally over the site to be healed. Research data shows that our PEMF signal induces mineralization and results in a process that stimulates new bone growth at the spinal fusion site. We have sponsored independent research at the Cleveland Clinic, New York University and University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, where scientists conducted animal and cellular studies to identify the mechanisms of action of our PEMF signals on bone and efficacy of healing. From this effort, a total of six studies have been published in peer-reviewed journals. Among other insights, the studies illustrate positive effects of PEMF on callus formation and bone strength as well as proliferation and differentiation of cells involved in bone growth and healing. Furthermore, we believe that the research work with Cleveland Clinic allowing for characterization and visualization of the Orthofix PEMF waveform is paving the way for signal optimization for a variety of new applications and indications.

Some spine fusion patients are at greater risk of not achieving a solid fusion of new bone around the fusion site. These patients typically have one or more risk factors such as smoking, obesity or diabetes, or their surgery involves the revision of a failed fusion or the fusion of multiple levels of vertebrae in one procedure. For these patients, post-surgical bone growth stimulation has been shown to significantly increase the probability of fusion success. Spinal-Stim® is a non-invasive spinal fusion stimulator system commercially available in the U.S. since 1990 and approved in Europe. Spinal-Stim® is designed for the treatment of the lower thoracic and lumbar

 

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regions of the spine. The device uses proprietary technology and a wavelength to generate a PEMF signal. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) has approved Spinal-Stim® as a spinal fusion adjunct to increase the probability of fusion success and as a non-operative treatment for salvage of failed spinal fusion at least nine months post-operatively.

Our Cervical-Stim® bone growth stimulator product remains the only FDA-approved bone growth stimulator on the market indicated for use as an adjunct to cervical (upper) spine fusion surgery in patients at high-risk for non-fusion. The FDA approved this device in 2004, and it has been commercially available in the U.S. since 2005.

According to internal sales data, more than 400,000 patients have been treated using our spine fusion stimulators since 1990.

Orthopedics

Orthopedics products represented 26% of our total net sales in 2010.

The medical devices offered in our Orthopedics market sector are used for two primary purposes: bone fracture management and bone deformity correction.

Bone Fracture Management

Fixation

Our fracture management products consist of fixation devices designed to stabilize a broken bone until it can heal, as well as non-invasive post-surgical bone growth stimulation devices designed to accelerate the body’s formation of new bone. Our fixation products come in two main types: external devices and internal devices. With these devices, we can treat both simple and complex fracture patterns.

External Fixation

External fixation devices are used to stabilize fractures from outside the skin with minimal invasion into the body. These fixation devices use screws that are inserted into the bone on either side of the fracture site, to which the fixator body is attached externally. The bone segments are aligned by manipulating the external device using patented ball joints and, when aligned, are locked in place for stabilization. We believe that external fixation allows micromovement at the fracture site, which is beneficial to the formation of new bone. External fixation may also be used as temporary devices in complex trauma cases to stabilize the fracture prior to treating it definitively. We believe that external fixation is among the most minimally invasive surgical options for fracture management. Also, we believe external fixation is the ideal treatment option for highly complex fractures, or patients which include fractures close to the joints, or patients with known risk factors or co-morbidities.

External devices are designed in large part to be used for the same types of conditions that can be treated by internal fixation devices. The difference is that the external fixator is a monolateral or circular device attached with screws to the fractured bone from outside the skin of the arm or leg. The choice of whether to use an internal or external fixation device is driven in large part by physician preference although it may also be related to the fracture complexity and anatomical location. Some patients, however, favor internal fixation devices for aesthetic reasons.

The Limb Reconstruction System (“LRS”) uses callus distraction to lengthen bone in a variety of procedures. It can be used in monofocal lengthenings and corrections of deformity. Its multifocal procedures include bone transport, simultaneous compression and distraction at different sites, bifocal lengthening and correction of deformities with shortening. In 2009, recent improvements on size, flexibility and ease of use were implemented for the release of the LRS ADVanced.

 

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The TrueLoK Ring Fixation System is a surgeon-designed, lightweight external fixation system for limb lengthening and deformity correction. In essence, a ring fixation construct consists of circular rings and semi-circular external supports centered on the patient’s limb and secured to the bone by crossed, tensioned wires and half pins. The rings are connected externally to provide stable bone fixation. The main external connecting elements are threaded rods, linear distractors, or hinges and angular distractors which allow the surgeon to adjust the relative position of rings to each other. The ring positions are manipulated either acutely or gradually in minute increments to perform the correction of the deformity, limb lengthening, or bone segment transportation as required by the surgeon. Created with pre-assembled function blocks, we believe TrueLoK is a simple, stable, versatile ring fixation system superior to the traditional Ilizarov ring system.

Another one of our external fixation devices is the XCaliber fixator, which is made from a lightweight radiolucent material and provided in three configurations to cover long bone fractures, fractures near joints and ankle fractures. The radiolucency of XCaliber fixators allows X-rays to pass through the device and provides the surgeon with improved X-ray visualization of the fracture and alignment. These three configurations cover a broad range of fractures. The XCaliber fixators are provided pre-assembled in sterile kits to decrease time in the operating room.

Our proprietary XCaliber bone screws are designed to be compatible with our external fixators and reduce inventory for our customers. Some of these screws are covered with hydroxyapatite, a mineral component of bone that reduces superficial inflammation of soft tissue and improves bone grip. Other screws in this proprietary line do not include the hydroxyapatite coating, but offer different advantages such as patented thread designs for better adherence in hard or poor quality bone. We believe we have a full line of bone screws to meet the demands of the market.

Another example of external fixation devices designed for the rapid stabilization of complex fractures are PREFIX and PREFIX 2. PREFIX offers free pin placement in any desired plane to rapidly create a solid stabilization using radiolucent components and PREFIX 2 has further enhanced the clamp ease-of-use and construct stability. We believe the PREFIX and PREFIX 2 fixators provide the necessary temporary stabilization to allow the surgeon to reduce the fracture, move the patient or attend to more urgent matters.

Internal Fixation

Internal fixation devices come in various sizes, depending on the bone which requires treatment, and consist of either long rods, commonly referred to as nails, or plates that are attached with the use of screws. A nail is inserted into the medullary canal of a fractured long bone of the human arms and legs, i.e., humerus, femur and tibia. Alternatively, a plate is attached by screws to an area such as a broken wrist or hip. Examples of our internal fixation devices include:

 

   

The Centronail® nailing system designed to stabilize fractures in the femur, tibia, supracondylar and recently the humerus. We believe that it has all the attributes of the Orthofix Nailing System, but has additional advantages: made of titanium, improved mechanical distal targeting and instrumentation and a design which requires significantly reduced inventory.

 

   

The VeroNail® marks Orthofix’s entry into the intramedullary hip nailing market. For use in hip fractures, it provides a minimally-invasive screw and nail design intended to reduce surgical trauma and allow patients to begin walking again shortly after the operation. It uses a dual screw configuration that we believe provides more stability than previous single screw designs.

Biologics

Our Biologics products include Trinity® Evolution, an adult stem cell-based bone growth matrix used during surgery to facilitate bone fusion and Origen DBM with Bioactive Glass, a bone void filler. Surgeons will use bone grafts when their patients have a large defect in the bone and it needs to be filled. Bone grafts can come directly from the patient’s own bone (autograft), from donor bone tissue that has been processed in

 

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specialized facilities or derived from a synthetic composition that resembles the components of human bone. To date, our Biologics are being offered only in the U.S. market due to restrictions in providing U.S. human donor tissue in other countries.

Bone Growth Stimulation

Our Physio-Stim® bone growth stimulator products use PEMF technology similar to that described previously in the discussion of our spine stimulators. The primary difference is that the Physio-Stim® physical configuration is designed for use on bones found in areas other than the spine.

A bone’s regenerative power results in most fractures healing naturally within a few months. In certain situations, however, fractures do not heal or heal slowly, resulting in “non-unions.” Traditionally, orthopedists have treated such fracture conditions surgically, often by means of a bone graft with fracture fixation devices, such as bone plates, screws or intramedullary rods. These are examples of “invasive” treatments. Our patented bone growth stimulators are designed to use a low level of PEMF signals to activate the body’s natural healing process.

Our systems offer portability, rechargeable battery operation, integrated component design, patient monitoring capabilities and the ability to cover a large treatment area without factory calibration for specific patient application. According to internal sales data, more than 169,000 patients have been treated using Physio-Stim® for long bone non-unions since the product was introduced.

Bone Deformity Correction

In addition to the treatment of bone fractures, we also design, manufacture and distribute devices that are intended to treat congenital bone conditions, such as limb length discrepancies, angular deformities (e.g., bowed legs in children), or degenerative diseases, as well as conditions resulting from a previous trauma. Examples of products offered in these areas include the Eight-Plate Guided Growth System® and the Intramedullary Skeletal Kinetic Distractor, or ISKD®.

The ISKD® system is a patented, internal limb-lengthening device that uses a magnetic sensor to monitor limb-lengthening progress on a daily basis. ISKD® is an expandable tubular device that is completely implanted inside the bone to be lengthened. The ISKD® system is designed to lengthen the patient’s bone gradually, and, after lengthening is completed, stabilize the lengthened bone. ISKD® is an FDA-approved intramedullary bone lengthener on the market, and we have the exclusive worldwide distribution rights for this product.

Sports Medicine

Sports Medicine product sales represented 17% of our total net sales in 2010.

We believe Breg Inc., one of Orthofix’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, is a market leader in the sale of orthopedic post-operative reconstruction and rehabilitative products to hospitals and orthopedic offices. Breg’s products are grouped primarily into two product categories: Breg® Bracing and Cold Therapy. Approximately 63% of Breg’s net revenues were attributable to the sale of bracing products in 2010, including: (1) functional braces for treatment and prevention of ligament injuries, (2) load-shifting braces for osteoarthritic pain management, (3) post-operative braces for protecting surgical repair and (4) foot and ankle supports that provide an alternative to casting. Approximately 34% of Breg’s 2010 net revenues came from the sale of cold therapy products used to minimize the pain and swelling following knee, shoulder, elbow, ankle and back injuries or surgery. Approximately 3% of Breg’s 2010 net revenues came from the sale of other rehabilitative products. Breg sells its products through a network of domestic and international independent distributors, employee sales representatives and related international subsidiaries.

 

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Breg® Bracing

We design, manufacture and market a broad range of rigid knee bracing products, including ligament braces, post-operative braces and osteoarthritic braces. The rigid knee brace products are either customized braces or standard adjustable off-the-shelf braces.

Ligament braces are designed to provide durable support for moderate to severe knee ligament instabilities and help stabilize the joint so that patients may successfully complete rehabilitation and resume their daily activities. The product line includes premium custom braces and off-the-shelf braces designed for use in all activities. Select premium ligament braces are also available with a patellofemoral option to address tracking and subsequent pain of the patellofemoral joint. We market the ligament product line under the Fusion® and X2K® brand names.

Post-operative braces are designed to limit a patient’s range of motion after knee surgery and protect the repaired ligaments and/or joints from stress and strain. These braces are designed to promote a faster and healthier healing process. The products within this line provide both immobilization and/or a protected range of motion. The Breg post-operative family of braces, featuring the patented Quick-Set hinge, offers complete range of motion control for both flexion and extension, along with a simple-to-use drop lock mechanism to lock the patient in full extension. The release lock mechanism allows for easy conversion to full range of motion. The straps, integrated through hinge bars, offer greater support and stability. This hinge bar can be “broken down” to accommodate later stages of rehabilitation. The Breg T-Scope® is a premium brace in the post-operative bracing market and has every feature available offered in our post-operative knee braces, including telescoping bars, easy application, full range of motion and a drop lock feature.

Osteoarthritic braces are used to treat patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee. Osteoarthritis (“OA”) is a form of damage to, or degeneration of, the articular surface of a joint. This line of custom and off-the-shelf braces is designed to shift the load going through the knee, provide additional stability and reduce pain. In some cases, this type of brace may serve as a cost-efficient alternative to total knee replacement. Breg’s single upright Solus® and lateral offloader, which are based on Fusion® technology, are our newest bracing designs delivering optimal comfort and pain relief for patients suffering from OA.

Cold Therapy

We manufacture, market and sell a cold therapy product line, Polar Care®. Breg entered the market for cold therapy products in 1991 when it introduced the Polar Care® 500, a cold therapy device used to reduce swelling, minimize the need for post-operative pain medications and generally accelerate the rehabilitation process. Breg’s leading cold therapy offering is the KODIAK® cold therapy system which uses Intelliflow® technology to customize treatment for various clinical applications. Today, we believe that cold therapy is a standard of care with physicians despite limited historical reimbursement by insurance companies over the years.

The Polar Care® product uses a circulation system designed to provide constant fluid flow rates to ensure safe and effective treatment. The product consists of a cooler filled with ice and cold water connected to a pad, which is applied to the affected area of the body; the device flows cold water through the pad to provide continuous cold therapy for the relief of pain. Breg’s cold therapy line consists of the Polar Care® 500, Kodiak®, Cube™, Polar Care® 300, Polar Cub and cold gel packs.

Other Products

Other Product sales represented 3% of our total net sales in 2010.

Vascular and Laryngeal Mask

In March 2010, we sold our non-invasive post-surgical vascular therapy product, called the A-V Impulse System®, which was designed to reduce dangerous deep vein thrombosis, or blood clots, and post-surgery pain

 

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and swelling by improving venous blood return and improving arterial blood flow. In June 2010, we terminated our distribution agreement to sell the Laryngeal Mask, a product of The Laryngeal Mask Company Limited, which is an anesthesia medical device designed to establish and maintain the patient’s airway during an operation.

Other

We hold distribution rights for several other non-orthopedic products at our subsidiaries.

Product Development

Our research and development departments are responsible for new product development. We work regularly with certain institutions referred to below as well as with physicians and other consultants on the long-term scientific planning and evolution of our research and development efforts. These efforts are done in accordance with best practices on interactions with healthcare professionals as set forth, for example, in the AdvaMed Code of Ethics (“AdvaMed Code”) and the Eucomed Code of Business Practices (“Eucomed Code”). Our primary research and development facilities are located in Fairfield, New Jersey; Verona, Italy; Lewisville, Texas; and Vista, California.

We maintain interactive relationships with spine and orthopedic centers in the U.S., Europe, and South and Central America, including research and development centers such as the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation (“MTF”), the Orthopedic Research and Education Foundation, The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, the National Osteoporosis Institute, the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Rutgers University, the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and the University of Verona in Italy. Several of the products that we market have been developed through these collaborations. In addition, we regularly receive suggestions for new products from the scientific and medical community, some of which result in Orthofix entering into assignment or license agreements with physicians and third-parties. We also receive a substantial number of requests for the production of customized items, some of which have resulted in new products. We believe that our policy of accommodating such requests enhances our reputation in the medical community.

In 2010, 2009, and 2008 we spent $30.4 million, $31.5 million and $30.8 million, respectively, on research and development.

Patents, Trade Secrets, Assignments and Licenses

We rely on a combination of patents, trade secrets, assignment and license agreements as well as non-disclosure agreements to protect our proprietary intellectual property. We own numerous U.S. and foreign patents and have numerous pending patent applications and license rights under patents held by third parties. Our primary products are patented in major markets in which they are sold. There can be no assurance that pending patent applications will result in issued patents, that patents issued or assigned to or licensed by us will not be challenged or circumvented by competitors or that such patents will be found to be valid or sufficiently broad to protect our technology or to provide us with any competitive advantage or protection. Third parties might also obtain patents that would require assignments to or licensing by us for the conduct of our business. We rely on confidentiality agreements with key employees, consultants and other parties to protect, in part, trade secrets and other proprietary technology.

We obtain assignments or licenses of varying durations for certain of our products from third parties. We typically acquire rights under such assignments or licenses in exchange for lump-sum payments or arrangements under which we pay to the licensor a percentage of sales. However, while assignments or licenses to us generally are irrevocable, there is no assurance that these arrangements will continue to be made available to us on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all. The terms of our license and assignment agreements vary in length from a specified number of years to the life of product patents or the economic life of the product. These agreements generally provide for royalty payments and termination rights in the event of a material breach.

 

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Corporate Compliance and Government Regulation

Corporate Compliance and Ethics Program

We began implementation of our enhanced compliance program, which we branded the Integrity Advantage Program, in February 2008, at our Spinal Implants and Biologics business. In June 2008, we hired a Chief Compliance Officer to oversee implementation of the Integrity Advantage Program throughout our Company. It is a fundamental policy of our Company to conduct business in accordance with the highest ethical and legal standards. Our corporate compliance and ethics program is designed to promote legal compliance and ethical business practices throughout our domestic and international businesses.

Our Integrity Advantage Program is designed to meet U.S. Sentencing Commission Guidelines for effective organizational compliance and ethics programs and to prevent and detect violations of applicable federal, state and local laws. Key elements of the Integrity Advantage Program include:

 

   

Organizational oversight by senior-level personnel responsible for the compliance function within our Company;

 

   

Written standards and procedures, including a Corporate Code of Business Conduct;

 

   

Methods for communicating compliance concerns, including anonymous reporting mechanisms;

 

   

Investigation and remediation measures to ensure prompt response to reported matters and timely corrective action;

 

   

Compliance education and training for employees and agents;

 

   

Auditing and monitoring controls to promote compliance with applicable laws and assess program effectiveness;

 

   

Disciplinary guidelines to enforce compliance and address violations;

 

   

Exclusion lists screening of employees, agents and distributors; and

 

   

Risk assessment to identify areas of regulatory compliance risk.

Government Regulation

Our research, development and clinical programs, as well as our manufacturing and marketing operations, are subject to extensive regulation in the U.S. and other countries. Most notably, all of our products sold in the U.S. are subject to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the “FDCA”) and the Public Health Services Act (“PHSA”) as implemented and enforced by the FDA. The regulations that cover our products and facilities vary widely from country to country. The amount of time required to obtain approvals or clearances from regulatory authorities also differs from country to country.

Unless an exemption applies, each medical device that we wish to commercially distribute in the U.S. will be covered by either premarket notification (“510(k)”) clearance or approval of a premarket approval application (“PMA”) from the FDA. The FDA classifies medical devices into one of three classes. Devices deemed to pose lower risks are placed in either class I or II, which typically requires the manufacturer to submit to the FDA a premarket notification requesting permission to commercially distribute the device. This process is generally known as 510(k) clearance. Some low risk devices are exempted from this requirement. Devices deemed by the FDA to pose the greatest risks, such as life-sustaining, life-supporting or implantable devices, or devices deemed not substantially equivalent to a previously cleared 510(k) device, are placed in class III, requiring approval of a PMA.

 

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Manufacturers of most class II medical devices are required to obtain 510(k) clearance prior to marketing their devices. To obtain 510(k) clearance, a company must submit a premarket notification demonstrating that the proposed device is “substantially equivalent” in intended use and in technological and performance characteristics to another legally marketed 510(k)-cleared “predicate device.” By regulation, the FDA is required to clear or deny a 510(k) premarket notification within 90 days of submission of the application. As a practical matter, clearance may take longer. The FDA may require further information, including clinical data, to make a determination regarding substantial equivalence. After a device receives 510(k) clearance, any modification that could significantly affect its safety or effectiveness, or that would constitute a major change in its intended use, requires a new 510(k) clearance or could require a PMA approval. With certain exceptions, most of our products are subject to the 510(k) clearance process. On January 27, 2010, the FDA requested comments on actions that the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health (“CDRH”) can consider taking to strengthen the 510(k) review process conducted by the CDRH. In August 2010 the FDA published a series of recommended changes to the 510(k) review process. It is anticipated that some of these recommendations will be adopted in 2011.

Class III medical devices are required to undergo the PMA approval process in which the manufacturer must establish the safety and effectiveness of the device to the FDA’s satisfaction. A PMA application must provide extensive preclinical and clinical trial data and also information about the device and its components regarding, among other things, device design, manufacturing and labeling. Also during the review period, an advisory panel of experts from outside the FDA may be convened to review and evaluate the application and provide recommendations to the FDA as to the approvability of the device. In addition, the FDA will typically conduct a preapproval inspection of the manufacturing facility to ensure compliance with quality system regulations. By statute, the FDA has 180 days to review the PMA application, although, generally, review of the application can take between one and three years, or longer. Once approved, a new PMA or a PMA Supplement is required for modifications that affect the safety or effectiveness of the device, including, for example, certain types of modifications to the device’s indication for use, manufacturing process, labeling and design. Our bone growth stimulation products are classified as Class III by the FDA, and have been approved for commercial distribution in the U.S. through the PMA process. We also have under development other products designed to treat degenerative spinal disc disease and which allow greater post-surgical mobility than standard surgical approaches involving spinal fusion techniques. If certain of these products are classified as FDA Class III, in order for them to be approved for commercial distribution in the U.S., compliance with the FDA PMA approval process, including a human clinical trial, will be required.

In addition, our Spinal Implants and Biologics business is a distributor of a product for bone repair and reconstruction under the brand name Trinity® Evolution which is an allogeneic, cancellous, bone matrix containing viable stem cells. We believe that Trinity® Evolution is properly classified under FDA’s Human Cell, Tissues and Cellular and Tissue-Based Products, or HCT/P, regulatory paradigm and not as a medical device or as a biologic or as a drug. We believe it is regulated under Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act and C.F.R. Part 1271. Spinal Implants and Biologics also distributes certain surgical implant products known as “allograft” products which are derived from human tissues and which are used for bone reconstruction or repair and are surgically implanted into the human body. We believe that these products are properly classified by the FDA as minimally-manipulated tissue and are covered by FDA’s “Good Tissues Practices” regulations, which cover all stages of allograft processing. There can be no assurance that our suppliers of the Trinity® Evolution and allograft products will continue to meet applicable regulatory requirements or that those requirements will not be changed in ways that could adversely affect our business. Further, there can be no assurance that these products will continue to be made available to us or that applicable regulatory standards will be met or remain unchanged. Moreover, products derived from human tissue or bone are from time to time subject to recall for certain administrative or safety reasons and we may be affected by one or more such recalls. For a description of these risks, see Item 1A “Risk Factors.”

The medical devices that we develop, manufacture, distribute and market are subject to rigorous regulation by the FDA and numerous other federal, state and foreign governmental authorities. The process of obtaining FDA clearance and other regulatory approvals to develop and market a medical device, particularly from the

 

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FDA, can be costly and time-consuming, and there can be no assurance that such approvals will be granted on a timely basis, if at all. While we believe that we have obtained all necessary clearances and approvals for the manufacture and sale of our products and that they are in material compliance with applicable FDA and other material regulatory requirements, there can be no assurance that we will be able to continue such compliance. After a device is placed on the market, numerous regulatory requirements continue to apply. Those regulatory requirements include: product listing and establishment registration; Quality System Regulation (“QSR”) which require manufacturers, including third-party manufacturers, to follow stringent design, testing, control, documentation and other quality assurance procedures during all aspects of the manufacturing process; labeling regulations and FDA prohibitions against the promotion of products for uncleared, unapproved or off-label uses or indications; clearance of product modifications that could significantly affect safety or efficacy or that would constitute a major change in intended use of one of our cleared devices; approval of product modifications that affect the safety or effectiveness of one of our PMA approved devices; Medical Device Reporting regulations, which require that manufacturers report to FDA if their device may have caused or contributed to a death or serious injury, or has malfunctioned in a way that would likely cause or contribute to a death or serious injury if the malfunction of the device or a similar device were to recur; post-approval restrictions or conditions, including post-approval study commitments; post-market surveillance regulations, which apply when necessary to protect the public health or to provide additional safety and effectiveness data for the device; the FDA’s recall authority, whereby it can ask, or under certain conditions order, device manufacturers to recall from the market a product that is in violation of governing laws and regulations; regulations pertaining to voluntary recalls; and notices of corrections or removals.

We and certain of our suppliers also are subject to announced and unannounced inspections by the FDA to determine our compliance with FDA’s QSR and other regulations. If the FDA were to find that we or certain of our suppliers have failed to comply with applicable regulations, the agency could institute a wide variety of enforcement actions, ranging from a public warning letter to more severe sanctions such as: fines and civil penalties against us, our officers, our employees or our suppliers; unanticipated expenditures to address or defend such actions; delays in clearing or approving, or refusal to clear or approve, our products; withdrawal or suspension of approval of our products or those of our third-party suppliers by the FDA or other regulatory bodies; product recall or seizure; interruption of production; operating restrictions; injunctions; and criminal prosecution. The FDA also has the authority to request repair, replacement or refund of the cost of any medical device manufactured or distributed by us. Any of those actions could have a material adverse effect on our development of new laboratory tests, business strategy, financial condition and results of operations.

Moreover, governmental authorities outside the U.S. have become increasingly stringent in their regulation of medical devices, and our products may become subject to more rigorous regulation by non-U.S. governmental authorities in the future. U.S. or non-U.S. government regulations may be imposed in the future that may have a material adverse effect on our business and operations. The European Commission (“EC”) has harmonized national regulations for the control of medical devices through European Medical Device Directives with which manufacturers must comply. Under these new regulations, manufacturing plants must have received CE certification from a “notified body” in order to be able to sell products within the member states of the European Union. Certification allows manufacturers to stamp the products of certified plants with a “CE” mark. Products covered by the EC regulations that do not bear the CE mark cannot be sold or distributed within the European Union. We have received certification for all currently existing manufacturing facilities and products.

Our products may be reimbursed by third-party payors, such as government programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare or private insurance plans and healthcare networks. Third-party payors may deny reimbursement if they determine that a device provided to a patient or used in a procedure does not meet applicable payment criteria or if the policy holder’s healthcare insurance benefits are limited. Also, third-party payors are increasingly challenging themedical necessity and prices paid for our products and services. The Medicare program is expected to continue to implement a new payment mechanism for certain items of durable medical equipment, prosthetic, orthotic supplies (“DMEPOS”) via the implementation of its competitive bidding program. The initial implementation was terminated shortly after it began in 2008 and the Centers for Medicare

 

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and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) began the rebid process in 2009 (“Round 1 Rebid”) with implementation of the rebid round occurring on January 1, 2011. Payment rates for certain DMEPOS items included in the Round 1 Rebid product categories, which categories do not currently include our products, will be determined based on bid prices rather than the current Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule. The competitive bidding process is scheduled to expand further in 2011. CMS has released the geographical areas included in Round 2 of the program, yet final decisions concerning which products will be affected have not been announced.

Orthofix Inc. and Breg, Inc., two of our subsidiaries, received accreditation status by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc. (“ACHC”) for the services of DMEPOS. ACHC, a private, not-for-profit corporation, which is certified to ISO 9001:2000 standards, was developed by home care and community-based providers to help companies improve business operations and quality of patient care. Although accreditation is generally a voluntary activity where healthcare organizations submit to peer review their internal policies, processes and patient care delivery against national standards, CMS required DMEPOS suppliers to become accredited. By attaining accreditation, Orthofix Inc. has demonstrated its commitment to maintain a higher level of competency and strive for excellence in its products, services, and customer satisfaction.

Our sales and marketing practices are also subject to a number of U.S. laws regulating healthcare fraud and abuse such as the federal Anti-Kickback Statute and the federal Physician Self-Referral Law (known as the “Stark Law”), the Civil False Claims Act and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) as well as numerous state laws regulating healthcare and insurance. These laws are enforced by the Office of Inspector General within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Justice, and other federal, state and local agencies. Among other things, these laws and others generally: (1) prohibit the provision of anything of value in exchange for the referral of patients for, or the purchase, order, or recommendation of, any item or service reimbursed by a federal healthcare program, (including Medicare and Medicaid); (2) require that claims for payment submitted to federal healthcare programs be truthful; (3) prohibit the transmission of protected healthcare information to persons not authorized to receive that information; and (4) require the maintenance of certain government licenses and permits.

In addition, U.S. federal and state laws protect the confidentiality of certain health information, in particular individually identifiable information such as medical records and restrict the use and disclosure of that protected information. At the federal level, the Department of Health and Human Services promulgated health information privacy and security rules under HIPAA. These rules protect health information by regulating its use and disclosure, including for research and other purposes. Failure of a HIPAA “covered entity” to comply with HIPAA regarding such “protected health information” could constitute a violation of federal law, subject to civil and criminal penalties. Covered entities include healthcare providers (including those that sell devices or equipment) that engage in particular electronic transactions, including, as we do, the transmission of claims to health plans. Consequently, health information that we access, collect, analyze, and otherwise use and/or disclose includes protected health information that is subject to HIPAA. As noted above, many state laws also pertain to the confidentiality of health information. Such laws are not necessarily preempted by HIPAA, in particular those state laws that afford greater privacy protection to the individual than HIPAA. These state laws typically have their own penalty provisions, which could be applied in the event of an unlawful action affecting health information.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act (“Act”), which was signed into law in March of 2010, contains new “Sunshine Provisions” that will require, among other things, pharmaceutical, medical device, biological and medical supply manufacturers to begin reporting to the federal government payments made to recipients covered under the Act, such as, physicians and teaching hospitals. The Sunshine Provisions also require manufacturers and group purchasing organizations (“GPOs”) to report ownership interests by a physician. The reporting requirements under the Act take effect in March of 2013. Similar to other state disclosure laws currently in effect, such as Massachusetts and Vermont, penalties for non-compliance with the reporting requirements under the Act may result in civil monetary penalties. While we believe our operations monitor these laws to materially comply with reporting requirements, as these laws are subject to interpretation by state and federal regulatory authorities, there can be no assurance that compliance will not be challenged.

 

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Sales, Marketing and Distribution

General Trends

We believe that demographic trends, principally in the form of a better informed, more active and aging population in the major healthcare markets of the U.S., Western Europe and Japan, together with opportunities in emerging markets such as the Asia-Pacific Region (including China) and Latin America, as well as our focus on innovative products, will continue to have a positive effect on the demand for our products.

Market Sectors

In 2010, Spine accounted for 54% of total net sales, Orthopedics accounted for 26% of total net sales, Sports Medicine accounted for 17% of total net sales and Other Products accounted for 3% of total net sales. No single non-governmental customer accounted for greater than 5% of total net sales. Sales to customers were broadly distributed.

Our products sold in the U.S. are either prescribed by medical professionals for the care of their patients or selected by physicians, sold to hospitals, clinics, surgery centers, independent distributors or other healthcare providers, all of whom may be primarily reimbursed for the healthcare products provided to patients by third-party payors, such as government programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, private insurance plans and managed care programs. Our products are also sold in many other countries, such as the United Kingdom, France and Italy, which have publicly funded healthcare systems as well as private insurance plans. See Item 1A “Risk Factors”, for a table of estimated revenue by payor type. For additional information about geographic areas, see Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Sales, Marketing and Distributor Network

We have established a broad distribution network comprised of direct sales representatives and distributors. This established distribution network provides us with a platform to introduce new products and expand sales of existing products. We distribute our products through a sales and marketing force of approximately 575 sales and marketing representatives. Worldwide we also have approximately 305 independent distributors for our products in approximately 49 countries. The table below highlights the makeup of our sales, marketing and distribution network at December 31, 2010.

 

     Direct Sales
& Marketing Headcount
     Distributors  
     U.S.      International      Total      U.S.      International      Total  

Domestic

     344         —           344         38         1         39   

Spinal Implants and Biologics

     49         1         50         51         27         78   

Breg

     92         —           92         36         48         84   

International

     —           89         89         2         102         104   
                                                     

Total

     485         90         575         127         178         305   
                                                     

In our largest geographic market, the U.S., our sales, marketing and distribution network is separated between several distinct sales forces addressing different market sectors. The Spine market sector is addressed primarily by a direct sales force for spinal bone growth stimulation products and a distribution network for spinal implant and HCT/P products. The Orthopedics market sector is addressed by a hybrid distribution network of predominately direct sales supplemented by distributors. The Sports Medicine market sector is addressed primarily by a distribution network for Breg products.

Outside the U.S., we employ both direct sales representatives and distributors within our international sales subsidiaries. We also utilize independent distributors in Europe, the Far East, the Middle East and Central and South America in countries where we do not have subsidiaries. In order to provide support to our independent distribution network, we have a group of sales and marketing specialists who regularly visit independent distributors to provide training and product support.

 

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Marketing and Product Education

We seek to market our products principally to medical professionals and group purchasing organizations (“GPOs”), which are hospital organizations that buy on a large scale. We believe there is a developing focus on selling to GPOs and large national accounts that reflects a trend toward large scale procurement efforts in the healthcare industry.

We support our sales force and distributors through specialized training workshops in which surgeons and sales specialists participate. We also produce marketing materials, including materials outlining surgical procedures, for our sales force and distributors in a variety of languages using printed, video and multimedia formats.

To provide additional advanced training for surgeons, consistent with the AdvaMed Code and the Eucomed Code guidelines, we organize monthly, multilingual, teaching seminars in the Orthofix Institute, our facility in Verona, Italy, and in various locations in Latin America. The Orthofix Institute for Research, Training and Education was opened in July 2010 in the North American Operations and Training Center in Lewisville, Texas. This state of the art facility features a lecture room, classroom, workshop and 7-station bioskills laboratory. In 2010, these product education seminars were attended by over 800 surgeons and over 300 distributor and sales representatives from around the world; seminars included a variety of lectures from specialists as well as demonstrations and hands-on workshops. Each year many of our sales representatives and distributors independently conduct basic courses in product application for local surgeons. We also provide sales training at our training centers in Lewisville, Texas, our Breg training center in Vista, California and in regional locations throughout the world. Additionally, we have implemented a web-based sales training program, which provides ongoing education for our sales representatives.

Competition

Our bone growth stimulation products compete principally with similar products marketed by Biomet Spine, a business unit of Biomet, Inc; DJO Incorporated; and Exogen, Inc., a subsidiary of Smith & Nephew plc. Our spinal implant, HCT/P products, and Trinity® Evolution, an HCT/P product from which we derive marketing fees, compete with products marketed by Medtronic, Inc.; De Puy, a division of Johnson and Johnson; Synthes AG; Stryker Corp.; Zimmer, Inc.; NuVasive; Biomet Spine; and various smaller public and private companies. For external and internal fixation devices, our principal competitors include Synthes AG; Zimmer, Inc.; Stryker Corp.; Smith & Nephew plc; and Biomet Orthopedics, a business unit of Biomet, Inc. The principal competitors for the Breg bracing and cold therapy products include DJO Incorporated; Biomet, Inc.; Ossur Lf.; and various smaller private companies.

We believe that we enhance our competitive position by focusing on product features such as innovation, ease of use, versatility, cost and patient acceptability. We attempt to avoid competing based solely on price. Overall cost and medical effectiveness, innovation, reliability, after-sales service and training are the most prevalent methods of competition in the markets for our products, and we believe that we compete effectively.

Manufacturing and Sources of Supply

We generally design, develop, assemble, test and package our stimulation and orthopedic products, and subcontract the manufacture of a substantial portion of the component parts. We design and develop our spinal implant and Alloquent® Allograft HCT/P products, but subcontract their manufacture and packaging. Through subcontracting, we attempt to maintain operating flexibility in meeting demand while focusing our resources on product development, education and marketing as well as quality assurance standards. In addition to designing, developing, assembling, testing and packaging its products, Breg also designs and subcontracts the manufacturing for a substantial portion of the component parts used in its products. Although certain of our key raw materials are obtained from a single source, we believe that alternate sources for these materials are

 

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available. Further, we believe that an adequate inventory supply is maintained to avoid product flow interruptions. We have not experienced difficulty in obtaining the materials necessary to meet our production schedules.

Trinity® Evolution, an HCT/P product for which we have exclusive marketing rights, is an allograft tissue form that is supplied to customers by MTF in accordance with orders received directly from us. MTF sources, processes and packages the tissue form and is the sole supplier of Trinity® Evolution to our customers.

Our products are currently manufactured and assembled in the U.S., Italy, the United Kingdom and Mexico. We believe that our plants comply in all material respects with the requirements of the FDA and all relevant regulatory authorities outside the U.S. For a description of the laws to which we are subject, see Item 1—“Business—Corporate Compliance and Government Regulation.” We actively monitor each of our subcontractors in order to maintain manufacturing and quality standards and product specification conformity.

Our business is generally not seasonal in nature. However, sales associated with products for elective procedures appear to be influenced by the somewhat lower level of such procedures performed in the late summer. Certain of the Breg® bracing products experience greater demand in the fall and winter corresponding with high school and college football schedules and winter sports. In addition, we do not consider the backlog of firm orders to be material.

Capital Expenditures

We had tangible and intangible capital expenditures in the amount of $26.4 million, $22.0 million and $20.2 million in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, principally for computer software and hardware, patents, licenses, plant and equipment, tooling and molds and product instrument sets. In 2010, we invested $26.4 million in capital expenditures of which significant items were (1) $10.9 million related to instrumentation for the new systems; (2) $9.7 million related to our new facility in Lewisville, TX and building improvements within our International segment; and (3) $3.5 million related to new software and computer applications. We currently plan to invest approximately $25 to $28 million in capital expenditures during 2011 to support the planned expansion of our business. We expect these capital expenditures to be financed principally with cash generated from operations.

Employees

At December 31, 2010, we had 1,486 employees worldwide. Of these, 571 were employed at Domestic, 111 were employed at Spinal Implants and Biologics, 515 were employed at Breg and 289 were employed at International. Our relations with our Italian employees, who numbered 136 at December 31, 2010, are governed by the provisions of a National Collective Labor Agreement setting forth mandatory minimum standards for labor relations in the metal mechanic workers industry. We are not a party to any other collective bargaining agreement. We believe that we have good relations with our employees. Of our 1,486 employees, 575 were employed in sales and marketing functions, 235 in general and administrative, 540 in production and 136 in research and development.

 

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Item 1A. Risk Factors

In addition to the other information contained in this Form 10-K and the exhibits hereto, you should carefully consider the risks described below. These risks are not the only ones that we may face. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently consider immaterial may also impair our business operations. This Form 10-K also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks faced by us described below or elsewhere in this Form 10-K.

We may be subject to federal and state healthcare fraud and abuse laws, and could face substantial penalties if we are determined not to have fully complied with such laws.

Healthcare fraud and abuse regulation by federal and state governments impact our business. Healthcare fraud and abuse laws potentially applicable to our operations include:

 

   

the Federal Health Care Programs Anti-Kickback Law, which constrains our marketing practices, educational programs, pricing and discounting policies, and relationships with healthcare practitioners and providers, by prohibiting, among other things, soliciting, receiving, offering or paying remuneration, in exchange for or to induce the purchase or recommendation of an item or service reimbursable under a federal healthcare program (such as the Medicare or Medicaid programs);

 

   

federal false claims laws which prohibit, among other things, knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, claims for payment from Medicare, Medicaid, or other federal government payors that are false or fraudulent; and

 

   

state laws analogous to each of the above federal laws, such as anti-kickback and false claims laws that may apply to items or services reimbursed by non-governmental third-party payors, including commercial insurers.

Due to the breadth of some of these laws, there can be no assurance that we will not be found to be in violation of any such laws, and as a result we may be subject to penalties, including civil and criminal penalties, damages, fines, the curtailment or restructuring of our operations or the exclusion from participation in federal or state healthcare programs. Any penalties could adversely affect our ability to operate our business and our financial results. Any action against us for violation of these laws, even if we successfully defend against them, could cause us to incur significant legal expenses and divert our management’s attention from the operation of our business.

In particular, as more fully described under Item 3, “Legal Proceedings,” we have received subpoenas requesting information from governmental authorities, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and two separate federal grand jury subpoenas, related to our Blackstone subsidiary, which we acquired in 2006. In addition, on or about April 10, 2009, we received a HIPAA subpoena issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts (the “Boston USAO”). The Boston USAO subsequently informed us that it is investigating possible criminal and civil violations of federal law related to our promotion and marketing of our bone growth stimulator devices. Any adverse outcome in either of these inquiries could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial position.

In addition, it is possible that one or more private insurers with whom we do business may attempt to use any penalty we might be assessed or any exclusion from federal or state healthcare program business as a basis to cease doing business with us. If this were to occur, it could also have a material adverse effect on our business and financial position.

 

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Expensive litigation and government investigations, and difficulties recouping disputed amounts currently being held in escrow in connection with the Blackstone acquisition, may reduce our earnings.

As more fully described directly above and under Item 3, “Legal Proceedings,” we are named as a defendant in a number of lawsuits and have received several subpoenas requesting information from various governmental authorities. We are complying with the subpoenas and intend to cooperate with any related government investigations. The outcome of these and any other lawsuits brought against us, and these and other investigations of us, are inherently uncertain, and adverse developments or outcomes could result in significant monetary damages, penalties or injunctive relief against us that could significantly reduce our earnings and cash flows. In addition, we may continue to incur significant legal expenses in connection with these matters in the future, which expenses could affect our future earnings.

As also described under Item 3, “Legal Proceedings,” in connection with those lawsuits and investigations that relate to our Blackstone subsidiary, we may have rights to indemnification under the merger agreement for the Blackstone acquisition for losses incurred in connection with some or all of these matters, and we have submitted several claims for indemnification from the escrow fund established in connection with the merger agreement. However, the representative of the former shareholders of Blackstone has objected to many of these indemnification claims and expressed an intent to contest them in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement. There can be no assurance that we will ultimately be successful in seeking indemnification in connection with any of these matters.

In the event certain of these matters result in significant settlement costs or judgments against us and, as applicable, we are not able to successfully recoup such amounts from the escrow fund, these matters could have a significant negative effect on our operations and financial performance.

We are currently investigating allegations of improper payments by local employees of one of our subsidiaries in Mexico and could be exposed to liabilities under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Any determination that our Company or any of our subsidiaries has violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act could adversely impact our business and financial position.

To the extent that we operate outside the U.S. we are subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) which prohibits people, or companies subject to U.S. jurisdiction and their intermediaries, from engaging in bribery or other prohibited payments to foreign officials for the purposes of obtaining or retaining business or gaining an unfair business advantage. It also requires proper record keeping and characterization of such payments in our reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

During a second quarter 2010 management review of Promeca S.A. de C.V. (“Promeca”), one of our Mexican subsidiaries, we received allegations of improper payments, allegedly made by certain of Promeca’s local employees in Mexico, to employees of a Mexican governmental healthcare entity. We have engaged Hogan Lovells US LLP and Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP to conduct an internal investigation focusing on compliance with the FCPA and voluntarily contacted the SEC and the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) to advise both agencies that an internal investigation is underway. Promeca accounted for approximately one percent of our consolidated net sales and consolidated total assets. The internal investigation is ongoing and no conclusions can be drawn at this time as to its outcome; however, the FCPA and related statutes and regulations do provide for potential monetary penalties as well as criminal and civil sanctions in connection with FCPA violations. On or about November 16, 2010, we received a subpoena from the SEC and DOJ seeking documents related to this matter. We are cooperating with the SEC and DOJ in connection with the subpoena. If imposed, monetary penalties and sanctions (which could include fines, criminal penalties and disgorgement of past profits) could be significant, and could adversely impact our business and financial position.

We may not be able to successfully introduce new products to the market.

During 2010, one of our stated financial goals was primarily related to improvements in revenues related to several new products we introduced to the market in 2009, including the Firebird Spinal Fixation System, the

 

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PILLAR SA interbody device and Trinity® Evolution, among others. We intend to introduce several new products to the market in 2011. Despite our planning, the process of developing and introducing new products is inherently complex and uncertain and involves risks, including the ability of such new products to satisfy customer needs and gain broad market acceptance, which can depend on the product achieving broad clinical acceptance, the level of third-party reimbursement and the introduction of competing technologies.

We contract with third-party manufacturers to produce most of our products, like many other companies in the medical device industry. If we or any such manufacturer fails to meet production and delivery schedules, it can have an adverse impact on our ability to sell such products. Further, whether we directly manufacture a product or utilize a third-party manufacturer, shortages and spoilage of materials, labor stoppages, product recalls, manufacturing defects and other similar events can delay production and inhibit our ability to bring a new product to market in timely fashion. For example, the supply of Trinity® Evolution is derived from human cadaveric donors, and our ability to distribute the product depends on our supplier continuing to have access to donated human cadaveric tissue, as well as, the maintenance of high standards by the supplier in its processing methodology. The supply of such donors is inherently unpredictable and can fluctuate over time. Further, because Trinity® Evolution is classified as an HCT/P product, it could from time to time be subject to recall for safety or administrative reasons.

We depend on our ability to protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights, but we may not be able to maintain the confidentiality, or assure the protection, of these assets.

Our success depends, in large part, on our ability to protect our current and future technologies and products and to defend our intellectual property rights. If we fail to protect our intellectual property adequately, competitors may manufacture and market products similar to, or that compete directly with, ours. Numerous patents covering our technologies have been issued to us, and we have filed, and expect to continue to file, patent applications seeking to protect newly developed technologies and products in various countries, including the U.S. Some patent applications in the U.S. are maintained in secrecy until the patent is issued. Because the publication of discoveries tends to follow their actual discovery by several months, we may not be the first to invent, or file patent applications on any of our discoveries. Patents may not be issued with respect to any of our patent applications and existing or future patents issued to, or licensed by, us and may not provide adequate protection or competitive advantages for our products. Patents that are issued may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented by our competitors. Furthermore, our patent rights may not prevent our competitors from developing, using or commercializing products that are similar or functionally equivalent to our products.

We also rely on trade secrets, unpatented proprietary expertise and continuing technological innovation that we protect, in part, by entering into confidentiality agreements with assignors, licensees, suppliers, employees and consultants. These agreements may be breached and there may not be adequate remedies in the event of a breach. Disputes may arise concerning the ownership of intellectual property or the applicability or enforceability of confidentiality agreements. Moreover, our trade secrets and proprietary technology may otherwise become known or be independently developed by our competitors. If patents are not issued with respect to our products arising from research, we may not be able to maintain the confidentiality of information relating to these products. In addition, if a patent relating to any of our products lapses or is invalidated, we may experience greater competition arising from new market entrants.

Third parties may claim that we infringe on their proprietary rights and may prevent us from manufacturing and selling certain of our products.

There has been substantial litigation in the medical device industry with respect to the manufacture, use and sale of new products. These lawsuits relate to the validity and infringement of patents or proprietary rights of third parties. We may be required to defend against allegations relating to the infringement of patent or proprietary rights of third parties. Any such litigation could, among other things:

 

   

require us to incur substantial expense, even if we are successful in the litigation;

 

   

require us to divert significant time and effort of our technical and management personnel;

 

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result in the loss of our rights to develop or make certain products; and

 

   

require us to pay substantial monetary damages or royalties in order to license proprietary rights from third parties or to satisfy judgments or to settle actual or threatened litigation.

Although patent and intellectual property disputes within the orthopedic medical devices industry have often been settled through assignments, licensing or similar arrangements, costs associated with these arrangements may be substantial and could include the long-term payment of royalties. Furthermore, the required assignments or licenses may not be made available to us on acceptable terms. Accordingly, an adverse determination in a judicial or administrative proceeding or a failure to obtain necessary assignments or licenses could prevent us from manufacturing and selling some products or increase our costs to market these products.

Reimbursement policies of third parties, cost containment measures and healthcare reform could adversely affect the demand for our products and limit our ability to sell our products.

Our products are sold either directly by us or by independent sales representatives to customers or to our independent distributors and purchased by hospitals, doctors and other healthcare providers. These products may be reimbursed by third-party payors, such as government programs, including Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare, or private insurance plans and healthcare networks. Third-party payors may deny reimbursement if they determine that a device provided to a patient or used in a procedure does not meet applicable payment criteria or if the policy holder’s healthcare insurance benefits are limited. Also, third-party payors are increasingly challenging the prices charged for medical products and services. Limits put on reimbursement could make it more difficult for people to buy our products and reduce, or possibly eliminate, the demand for our products. In addition, should governmental authorities enact additional legislation or adopt regulations that affect third-party coverage and reimbursement, demand for our products and coverage by private or public insurers may be reduced with a consequential material adverse effect on our sales and profitability.

Third-party payors, including private and governmental entities, may revise coverage or reimbursement policies that address whether a particular product, treatment modality, device or therapy will be subject to reimbursement and, if so, at what level of payment.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”), in its ongoing implementation of the Medicare program, has obtained a related technical assessment of the medical study literature to determine how the literature addresses spinal fusion surgery in the Medicare population. The impact that this information will have on Medicare coverage policy for our products is currently unknown, but we cannot provide assurances that the resulting actions will not restrict Medicare coverage for our products. It is also possible that the government’s focus on coverage of off-label uses of devices approved by the FDA could lead to changes in coverage policies regarding off-label uses by TriCare, Medicare and/or Medicaid. There can be no assurance that we or our distributors will not experience significant reimbursement problems in the future related to these or other proceedings. Our products are sold in many countries, such as the United Kingdom, France, and Italy, which have publicly funded healthcare systems. The ability of hospitals supported by such systems to purchase our products is dependent, in part, upon public budgetary constraints. Any increase in such constraints may have a material adverse effect on our sales and collection of accounts receivable from such sales.

As required by law, CMS has continued efforts to implement a competitive bidding program for selected DMEPOS items paid for by the Medicare program. The initial implementation of the program in 2008 was terminated in that same year. CMS began the Round 1 Rebid process in 2009 and the implementation of the rebid round occurred on January 1, 2011. Our products are not yet included in the competitive bidding process. We believe that the competitive bidding process will principally affect products sold by our Sports Medicine business. We cannot predict which products from any of our businesses will ultimately be affected or when the competitive bidding process will be extended to our businesses. The competitive bidding process is scheduled to expand further in 2011. CMS has released the geographical areas included in Round 2 of the program, yet final decisions concerning which products will be affected have not been announced. While some of our products are

 

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designated by FDA as Class III medical devices and thus are not included within the competitive bidding program, some of our products may be encompassed within the program at varying times. There can be no assurance that the implementation of the competitive bidding program will not have an adverse impact on the sales of some of our products.

We estimate that our revenue by payor type is:

 

•    Direct (hospital)

        38

•    Third-Party Insurance

        23

•    Independent Distributors

        17

•    U.S. Government—Medicare, Medicaid, TriCare

        10

•    International Public Healthcare Systems

        10

•    Self-pay and other

        2

We and certain of our suppliers may be subject to extensive government regulation that increases our costs and could limit our ability to market or sell our products.

The medical devices we manufacture and market are subject to rigorous regulation by the FDA and numerous other federal, state and foreign governmental authorities. These authorities regulate the development, approval, classification, testing, manufacturing, labeling, marketing and sale of medical devices. Likewise, our use and disclosure of certain categories of health information may be subject to federal and state laws, implemented and enforced by governmental authorities that protect health information privacy and security. For a description of these regulations, see Item 1, “Business,” under the subheading “Government Regulation.”

The approval or clearance by governmental authorities, including the FDA in the U.S., is generally required before any medical devices may be marketed in the U.S. or other countries. We cannot predict whether in the future, the U.S. or foreign governments may impose regulations that have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. The process of obtaining FDA clearance and other regulatory clearances or approvals to develop and market a medical device can be costly and time-consuming, and is subject to the risk that such approvals will not be granted on a timely basis, if at all. The regulatory process may delay or prohibit the marketing of new products and impose substantial additional costs if the FDA lengthens review times for new devices. The FDA has the ability to change the regulatory classification of a cleared or approved device from a higher to a lower regulatory classification which could materially adversely impact our ability to market or sell our devices.

We and certain of our suppliers also are subject to announced and unannounced inspections by the FDA to determine our compliance with FDA’s QSR and other regulations. If the FDA were to find that we or certain of our suppliers have failed to comply with applicable regulations, the agency could institute a wide variety of enforcement actions, ranging from a public warning letter to more severe sanctions such as: fines and civil penalties against us, our officers, our employees or our suppliers; unanticipated expenditures to address or defend such actions; delays in clearing or approving, or refusal to clear or approve, our products; withdrawal or suspension of approval of our products or those of our third-party suppliers by the FDA or other regulatory bodies; product recall or seizure; interruption of production; operating restrictions; injunctions; and criminal prosecution. The FDA also has the authority to request repair, replacement or refund of the cost of any medical device manufactured or distributed by us. Any of those actions could have a material adverse effect on our development of new laboratory tests, business strategy, financial condition and results of operations.

Our allograft and mesenchymal stem cell products could expose us to certain risks which could disrupt our business.

Our Spinal Implants and Biologics business distributes a product under the brand name Trinity® Evolution. Trinity® Evolution is derived from human cadaveric donors, and our ability to distribute the product depends on our supplier continuing to have access to donated human cadaveric tissue, as well as, the

 

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maintenance of high standards by the supplier in its processing methodology. The supply of such donors is inherently unpredictable and can fluctuate over time. We believe that Trinity® Evolution is properly classified under the FDA’s HCT/P regulatory paradigm and not as a medical device or as a biologic or drug. There can be no assurance that the FDA would agree that this category of regulatory classification applies to Trinity® Evolution and the reclassification of this product from a human tissue to a medical device could have adverse consequences for us or for the supplier of this product and make it more difficult or expensive for us to conduct this business by requiring premarket clearance or approval as well as compliance with additional post-market regulatory requirements. The success of our Trinity® Evolution product will depend on these products achieving broad market acceptance which can depend on the product achieving broad clinical acceptance, the level of third-party reimbursement and the introduction of competing technologies. Because Trinity® Evolution is classified as an HCT/P product, it can from time to time be subject to recall for safety or administrative reasons.

Spinal Implants and Biologics also distribute allograft products that are derived from human tissue harvested from cadavers and which are used for bone reconstruction or repair and which are surgically implanted into the human body. We believe that these allograft products are properly classified as HCT/P products and not as a medical device or a biologic or drug. There can be no assurance that the FDA would agree that this regulatory classification applies to these products and any regulatory reclassification could have adverse consequences for us or for the suppliers of these products and make it more difficult or expensive for us to conduct this business by requiring premarket clearance or approval and compliance with additional post-market regulatory requirements. Moreover, the supply of these products to us could be interrupted by the failure of our suppliers to maintain high standards in performing required donor screening and infectious disease testing of donated human tissue used in producing allograft implants. Our allograft implant business could also be adversely affected by shortages in the supply of donated human tissue or negative publicity concerning methods of recovery of tissue and product liability actions arising out of the distribution of allograft implant products.

We may be subject to product liability claims that may not be covered by insurance and could require us to pay substantial sums.

We are subject to an inherent risk of, and adverse publicity associated with, product liability and other liability claims, whether or not such claims are valid. We maintain product liability insurance coverage in amounts and scope that we believe is reasonable and adequate. There can be no assurance, however, that product liability or other claims will not exceed our insurance coverage limits or that such insurance will continue to be available on reasonable, commercially acceptable terms, or at all. A successful product liability claim that exceeds our insurance coverage limits could require us to pay substantial sums and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

The global recession and further adverse changes in general economic or credit market conditions could adversely impact our sales and operating results.

The direction and strength of the U.S. and global economy has been uncertain due to the recent downturn in the economy and difficulties in the credit markets. If economic growth in the U.S. and other countries continues to remain low, or if the credit markets continue to be difficult to access, our distributors, suppliers and other business partners could experience significant disruptions to their businesses and operations which, in turn, could negatively impact our business operations and financial performance. In addition, continued weak consumer financial strength and demand could cause a substantial reduction in the sale of our products.

Fluctuations in insurance expense could adversely affect our profitability.

We hold a number of insurance policies, including product liability insurance, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, property insurance and workers’ compensation insurance. If the costs of maintaining adequate insurance coverage should increase significantly in the future, our operating results could be materially adversely impacted.

 

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Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate.

Our operating results have fluctuated significantly in the past on a quarterly basis. Our operating results may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter in the future and we may experience losses in the future depending on a number of factors, including the extent to which our products continue to gain or maintain market acceptance, the rate and size of expenditures incurred as we expand our domestic and establish our international sales and distribution networks, the timing and level of reimbursement for our products by third-party payors, the extent to which we are subject to government regulation or enforcement and other factors, many of which are outside our control.

New developments by others could make our products or technologies non-competitive or obsolete.

The orthopedic medical device industry in which we compete is undergoing, and is characterized by rapid and significant technological change. We expect competition to intensify as technological advances are made. New technologies and products developed by other companies are regularly introduced into the market, which may render our products or technologies non-competitive or obsolete.

Our ability to market products successfully depends, in part, upon the acceptance of the products not only by consumers, but also by independent third parties.

Our ability to market Spine, Orthopedic and Sports Medicine products successfully depends, in part, on the acceptance of the products by independent third parties (including hospitals, doctors, other healthcare providers and third-party payors) as well as patients. Unanticipated side effects or unfavorable publicity concerning any of our products could have an adverse effect on our ability to maintain hospital approvals or achieve acceptance by prescribing physicians, managed care providers and other retailers, customers and patients.

The industry in which we operate is highly competitive.

The medical devices industry is highly competitive. We compete with a large number of companies, many of which have significantly greater financial, manufacturing, marketing, distribution and technical resources than we do. Many of our competitors may be able to develop products and processes competitive with, or superior to, our own. Furthermore, we may not be able to successfully develop or introduce new products that are less costly or offer better performance than those of our competitors, or offer purchasers of our products payment and other commercial terms as favorable as those offered by our competitors. For more information regarding our competitors, see Item 1, “Business,” under the subheading “Competition.”

We depend on our senior management team.

Our success depends upon the skill, experience and performance of members of our senior management team, who have been critical to the management of our operations and the implementation of our business strategy. We do not have key man insurance on our senior management team, and the loss of one or more key executive officers could have a material adverse effect on our operations and development.

In order to compete, we must attract, retain and motivate key employees, and our failure to do so could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

In order to compete, we must attract, retain and motivate executives and other key employees, including those in managerial, technical, sales, marketing and support positions. Hiring and retaining qualified executives, engineers, technical staff and sales representatives are critical to our business, and competition for experienced employees in the medical device industry can be intense. To attract, retain and motivate qualified employees, we utilize stock-based incentive awards such as employee stock options. If the value of such stock awards does not appreciate as measured by the performance of the price of our common stock and ceases to be viewed as a valuable benefit, our ability to attract, retain and motivate our employees could be adversely impacted, which could negatively affect our results of operations and/or require us to increase the amount we expend on cash and other forms of compensation.

 

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Termination of our existing relationships with our independent sales representatives or distributors could have an adverse effect on our business.

We sell our products in many countries through independent distributors. Generally, our independent sales representatives and our distributors have the exclusive right to sell our products in their respective territories and are generally prohibited from selling any products that compete with ours. The terms of these agreements vary in length, generally from one to ten years. Under the terms of our distribution agreements, each party has the right to terminate in the event of a material breach by the other party and we generally have the right to terminate if the distributor does not meet agreed sales targets or fails to make payments on time. Any termination of our existing relationships with independent sales representatives or distributors could have an adverse effect on our business unless and until commercially acceptable alternative distribution arrangements are put in place.

We are party to numerous contractual relationships.

We are party to numerous contracts in the normal course of our business. We have contractual relationships with suppliers, distributors and agents, as well as service providers. In the aggregate, these contractual relationships are necessary for us to operate our business. From time to time, we amend, terminate or negotiate our contracts. We are also periodically subject to, or make claims of breach of contract, or threaten legal action relating to our contracts. These actions may result in litigation. At any one time, we have a number of negotiations under way for new or amended commercial agreements. We devote substantial time, effort and expense to the administration and negotiation of contracts involved in our business. However, these contracts may not continue in effect past their current term or we may not be able to negotiate satisfactory contracts in the future with current or new business partners.

We face risks related to foreign currency exchange rates.

Because some of our revenue, operating expenses, assets and liabilities are denominated in foreign currencies, we are subject to foreign exchange risks that could adversely affect our operations and reported results. To the extent that we incur expenses or earn revenue in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, any change in the values of those foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar could cause our profits to decrease or our products to be less competitive against those of our competitors. To the extent that our current assets denominated in foreign currency are greater or less than our current liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, we have potential foreign exchange exposure. We have substantial activities outside of the U.S. that are subject to the impact of foreign exchange rates. The fluctuations of foreign exchange rates during 2010 have had a favorable impact of $0.3 million on net sales outside of the U.S. Although we seek to manage our foreign currency exposure by matching non-dollar revenues and expenses, exchange rate fluctuations could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in the future. To minimize such exposures, we enter into currency hedges from time to time. At December 31, 2010, we had outstanding a currency swap to hedge a €40.7 million foreign currency exposure.

We are subject to differing tax rates in several jurisdictions in which we operate.

We have subsidiaries in several countries. Certain of our subsidiaries sell products directly to other Orthofix subsidiaries or provide marketing and support services to other Orthofix subsidiaries. These intercompany sales and support services involve subsidiaries operating in jurisdictions with differing tax rates. Tax authorities in these jurisdictions may challenge our treatment of such intercompany transactions. If we are unsuccessful in defending our treatment of intercompany transactions, we may be subject to additional tax liability or penalty, which could adversely affect our profitability.

We are subject to differing customs and import/export rules in several jurisdictions in which we operate.

We import and export our products to and from a number of different countries around the world. These product movements involve subsidiaries and third-parties operating in jurisdictions with different customs and import/export rules and regulations. Customs authorities in such jurisdictions may challenge our treatment of

 

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customs and import/export rules relating to product shipments under aspects of their respective customs laws and treaties. If we are unsuccessful in defending our treatment of customs and import/export classifications, we may be subject to additional customs duties, fines or penalties that could adversely affect our profitability.

Our business is subject to economic, political, regulatory and other risks associated with international sales and operations.

Since we sell our products in many different countries, our business is subject to risks associated with conducting business internationally. Net sales outside the U.S. represented 20% of our total net sales in 2010. We anticipate that net sales from international operations will continue to represent a substantial portion of our total net sales. In addition, a number of our manufacturing facilities and suppliers are located outside the U.S. Accordingly, our future results could be harmed by a variety of factors, including:

 

   

changes in foreign currency exchange rates;

 

   

changes in a specific country’s or region’s political or economic conditions;

 

   

trade protection measures and import or export licensing requirements or other restrictive actions by foreign governments;

 

   

consequences from changes in tax or customs laws;

 

   

difficulty in staffing and managing widespread operations;

 

   

differing labor regulations;

 

   

differing protection of intellectual property;

 

   

unexpected changes in regulatory requirements; and

 

   

application of the FCPA and other anti-bribery or anti-corruption laws to our operations.

We may incur costs and undertake new debt and contingent liabilities in a search for acquisitions.

We continue to search for viable acquisition candidates that would expand our market sector or global presence. We also seek additional products appropriate for current distribution channels. The search for an acquisition of another company or product line by us could result in our incurring costs from such efforts as well as the undertaking of new debt and contingent liabilities from such searches or acquisitions. Such costs may be incurred at any time and may vary in size depending on the scope of the acquisition or product transactions and may have a material impact on our results of operations.

We may incur significant costs or retain liabilities associated with disposition activity.

We may from time to time sell, license, assign or otherwise dispose of or divest assets, the stock of subsidiaries or individual products, product lines or technologies which we determine are no longer desirable for us to own, some of which may be material. Any such activity could result in our incurring costs and expenses from these efforts, some of which could be significant, as well as retaining liabilities related to the assets or properties disposed of even though, for instance, the income-generating assets have been disposed of. These costs and expenses may be incurred at any time and may have a material impact on our results of operations.

Our subsidiary, Orthofix Holdings, Inc.’s senior secured bank credit facility contains significant financial and operating restrictions, including financial covenants that we may be unable to satisfy in the future.

When we acquired Blackstone on September 22, 2006, one of our wholly owned subsidiaries, Orthofix Holdings, Inc. (“Orthofix Holdings”), entered into a senior secured bank credit facility with a syndicate of financial institutions to finance the transaction. On August 30, 2010, we entered into a new senior secured bank credit facility with a new syndicate of financial institutions, and used these borrowings to repay all amounts owed under the 2006 facility. Orthofix and certain of Orthofix Holdings’ direct and indirect subsidiaries, including Orthofix Inc., Breg, and Blackstone have guaranteed the obligations of Orthofix Holdings under the new senior

 

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secured bank facility. The new senior secured bank facility provides for (1) a five-year term loan facility of $100 million, of which $98.8 million was outstanding at December 31, 2010, and (2) a five-year revolving credit facility of $200 million upon which we had $117.4 million outstanding and $82.6 million available to be drawn as of December 31, 2010. The principal amount of the term loan facility amortizes at the rate of 5%, 15%, 25%, 25% and 30% in year 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively. Amortization payments are due quarterly.

The credit agreement contains negative covenants applicable to Orthofix and its subsidiaries, including restrictions on indebtedness, liens, dividends and mergers and sales of assets. The credit agreement also contains certain financial covenants, including a fixed charge coverage ratio and a leverage ratio applicable to Orthofix and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. A breach of any of these covenants could result in an event of default under the credit agreement, which could permit acceleration of the debt payments under the facility. We were in compliance with these financial covenants as measured at December 31, 2010. Further, we believe that we should be able to meet these financial covenants in future fiscal quarters, however, there can be no assurance that we will be able to do so, and failure to do so could result in an event of default under the credit agreement, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position.

The conditions of the U.S. and international capital and credit markets may adversely affect our ability to draw on our current revolving credit facility or obtain future short-term or long-term lending.

Global market and economic conditions have been, and continue to be, disrupted and volatile. In particular, the cost and availability of funding for many companies has been, and may continue to be, adversely affected by illiquid credit markets and wider credit spreads. These forces reached unprecedented levels in 2008, resulting in the bankruptcy or acquisition of, or government assistance to, several major domestic and international financial institutions. These events have significantly diminished overall confidence in the financial and credit markets. There can be no assurances that recent government responses to the disruptions in the financial and credit markets will restore consumer confidence, stabilize the markets or increase liquidity and the availability of credit.

We maintain a five-year revolving credit facility of $200 million upon which we had $82.6 million available to be drawn as of December 31, 2010. However, to the extent our business requires us to access the credit markets in the future and we are not able to do so, including in the event that lenders cease to lend to us, or cease to be capable of lending, for any reason, we could experience a material and adverse impact on our financial condition and ability to borrow additional funds. This might impair our ability to obtain sufficient funds for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, research and development and other corporate purposes.

The conditions of the U.S. and international capital and credit markets may adversely affect our interest expense under our existing credit facility.

Our senior bank facility provides for a five-year term loan facility of $100 million for which $98.8 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2010, and a five-year revolving credit facility of $200 million upon which we had $117.4 million outstanding and $82.6 million available to be drawn as of December 31, 2010. Borrowings under the facility bear interest at a floating rate, which will be, at our option, either the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus an applicable margin or a base rate plus an applicable margin (in each case subject to adjustment based on financial ratios). Such applicable margin will be up to 3.25% for LIBOR borrowings and up to 2.25% for base rate borrowings depending upon a measurement of the consolidated leverage ratio with respect to the immediately preceding four fiscal quarters. Our overall effective interest rate as of December 31, 2010 on our senior secured debt was 3.4%. Our interest expense that we incur under our credit facilities could increase if there are increases in either the LIBOR rate or base rate. (See Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in this Form 10-K.)

 

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Our results of operations could vary as a result of the methods, estimates and judgments we use in applying our accounting policies.

The methods, estimates and judgments we use in applying our accounting policies have a significant impact on our results of operations (see “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in Item 7 of this Form 10-K). Such methods, estimates and judgments are, by their nature, subject to substantial risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and factors may arise over time that leads us to change our methods, estimates and judgments. Changes in those methods, estimates and judgments could significantly affect our results of operations.

Goodwill and other identified intangibles could generate future asset impairments, which would be recorded as operating losses.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 350—Intangibles—Goodwill and Other requires that goodwill, including the goodwill included in the carrying value of investments accounted for using the equity method of accounting, and other intangible assets deemed to have indefinite useful lives, such as trademarks, cease to be amortized. ASC Topic 350 requires that goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives be tested at least annually for impairment. If we find that the carrying value of goodwill or a certain intangible asset exceeds its fair value, we will reduce the carrying value of the goodwill or intangible asset to the fair value, and we will recognize an impairment loss. Any such impairment losses are required to be recorded as non-cash operating losses.

During the third quarter of 2008, as a result of decreasing revenues, we evaluated the fair value of our indefinite-lived trademarks and goodwill at Blackstone. As a result, we recorded an impairment charge of $57.0 million related to these trademarks. We determined that the carrying amount of goodwill related to Blackstone exceeded its implied fair value, and recognized a goodwill impairment loss of $126.9 million.

In addition, ASC Topic 360—Property, Plant and Equipment requires that intangible assets with definite lives, such as our developed technologies and distribution network assets, be tested for impairment if indicators of impairment, as defined in the standard, exist. During the third quarter of 2008, we determined that an indicator of impairment existed with respect to our definite-lived intangible assets at Blackstone. We compared the expected cash flows to be generated by the definite lived intangible assets on an undiscounted basis to the carrying value of the intangible asset. We determined the carrying value exceeded the undiscounted cash flow and impaired the distribution network and developed technologies at Blackstone which resulted in an impairment charge of $105.7 million.

Certain of the impairment tests require us to make an estimate of the fair value of goodwill and other intangible assets, which are primarily determined using discounted cash flow methodologies, research analyst estimates, market comparisons and a review of recent transactions. Since a number of factors may influence determinations of fair value of intangible assets, we are unable to predict whether impairments of goodwill or other indefinite lived intangibles will occur in the future.

Provisions of Curaçao law may have adverse consequences for our shareholders.

We were organized under the laws of the Netherlands Antilles in 1987, with our principal executive offices located on the island of Curaçao. Prior to October 10, 2010, the Netherlands Antilles, together with Aruba and the Netherlands, formed the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with Curaçao being an island territory of the Netherlands Antilles. Under a constitutional reform of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, agreed upon among the Netherlands Antilles, Aruba and the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles was dissolved effective October 10, 2010. Also effective October 10, 2010, Curaçao became an individual constitutional entity within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, having its own government and laws. As a result of the constitutional reform and the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles, the Netherlands Antilles law ceased to exist and Orthofix is now a Curaçao legal entity subject to Curaçao law. Although Curaçao has become a separate and autonomous country

 

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with its own laws and regulations, the civil and corporate Netherlands Antilles law, as they applied to Orthofix before October 10, 2010, did not change under the constitutional reform. In effect, Curaçao has adopted the Netherlands Antilles civil and corporate law (to which Orthofix was subject) that was in effect prior to October 10, 2010.

Our corporate affairs are therefore now governed by our Articles of Association and the corporate law of Curaçao as laid down in Book 2 of the Curaçao Civil Code (“CCC”). Although certain of the provisions of the CCC resemble certain of the provisions of the corporation laws of a number of states in the U.S., principles of law relating to such matters as the validity of corporate procedures, the fiduciary duties of management and the rights of our shareholders may differ from those that would apply if Orthofix were incorporated in a jurisdiction within the U.S. For example, there is no statutory right of appraisal under Curaçao corporate law, nor is there a right for shareholders of a Curaçao corporation to sue a corporation derivatively. In addition, we have been advised by Curaçao counsel that it is unlikely that (1) the courts of Curaçao would enforce judgments entered by U.S. courts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws and (2) actions can be brought in Curaçao in relation to liabilities predicated upon the U.S. federal securities laws.

 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

 

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Item 2. Properties

Our principal facilities are:

 

Facility

  

Location

   Approx.
Square
Feet
     Ownership  
Manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and research and development facility for Spine and Orthopedics Products and administrative facility for Corporate, Domestic and Spinal Implants and Biologics segments    Lewisville, TX      140,000         Leased   
Tooling and model shop for Spinal Implants and Biologics    Springfield, MA      19,000         Leased   
Research and development office for Spinal Implants and Biologics    Fairfield, NJ      3,946         Leased   
Research and development, component manufacturing, quality control and training facility for fixation products and sales management, distribution and administrative facility for Italy    Verona, Italy      38,000         Owned   
International Distribution Center for Orthofix products    Verona, Italy      18,000         Leased   
Sales management, distribution and administrative offices    Florham Park, NJ      2,700         Leased   
Sales management, distribution and administrative offices for fixation products    Andover, England      9,001         Leased   
Sales management, distribution and administrative facility for United Kingdom    Maidenhead, England      9,000         Leased   
Sales management, distribution and administrative facility for Brazil    Alphaville, Brazil      4,690         Leased   
Sales management, distribution and administrative facility for Brazil    São Paulo, Brazil      1,184         Leased   
Sales management, distribution and administrative facility for France    Gentilly, France      3,854         Leased   
Sales management, distribution and administrative facility for Germany    Ottobrunn, Germany      16,145         Leased   
Sales management, distribution and administrative facility for Switzerland    Steinhausen, Switzerland      1,180         Leased   
Administrative, manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and research and development facility for Breg    Vista, California      104,832         Leased   
Manufacturing facility for Breg products    Mexicali, Mexico      63,000         Leased   
Sales management, distribution and administrative facility for Puerto Rico    Guaynabo, Puerto Rico      4,400         Leased   

 

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Item 3. Legal Proceedings

On or about July 23, 2007, our subsidiary, Blackstone Medical, Inc. (“Blackstone”) received a subpoena issued by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, under the authority of the federal healthcare anti-kickback and false claims statutes. The subpoena seeks documents for the period January 1, 2000 through July 31, 2006, which is prior to Blackstone’s acquisition by us. We believe that the subpoena concerns the compensation of physician consultants and related matters. On September 17, 2007, we submitted a claim for indemnification from the escrow fund established in connection with the agreement and plan of merger between us, New Era Medical Corp. and Blackstone, dated as of August 4, 2006 (the “Blackstone Merger Agreement”), for any losses to us resulting from this matter. (Our indemnification rights under the Blackstone Merger Agreement are described further below). We were subsequently notified by legal counsel for the former shareholders that the representative of the former shareholders of Blackstone has objected to the indemnification claim and intends to contest it in accordance with the terms of the Blackstone Merger Agreement.

On or about January 7, 2008, we received a federal grand jury subpoena from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts. The subpoena seeks documents from us for the period January 1, 2000 through July 15, 2007. We believe that the subpoena concerns the compensation of physician consultants and related matters, and further believes that it is associated with the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General’s investigation of such matters. On September 18, 2008, we submitted a claim for indemnification from the escrow fund established in connection with the Blackstone Merger Agreement for any losses to us resulting from this matter. On or about April 29, 2009, counsel received a HIPAA subpoena issued by the U.S. Department of Justice. The subpoena seeks documents from us for the period January 1, 2000 through July 15, 2007. We believe that the subpoena concerns the compensation of physician consultants and related matters, and further believes that it is associated with the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General’s investigation of such matters, as well as the January 7, 2008 federal grand jury subpoena. On or about August 26, 2010, counsel for Orthofix Inc. and Blackstone executed a tolling agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts (the “Tolling Agreement”) that extends an agreement tolling the statute of limitations applicable to any criminal, civil, or administrative proceedings that the government might later initiate to include the period from December 1, 2008 through and including October 31, 2010. On or about February 1, 2011, the parties further extended the tolling of the statute of limitations through and including May 31, 2011 with respect to any criminal proceedings that the government might later initiate.

On or about December 5, 2008, we obtained a copy of a qui tam complaint filed by Susan Hutcheson and Philip Brown against Blackstone and our Company in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. A qui tam action is a civil lawsuit brought by an individual for an alleged violation of a federal statute, in which the U.S. Department of Justice has the right to intervene and take over the prosecution of the lawsuit at its option. On November 21, 2008, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a notice of non-intervention in the case. The complaint was served on Blackstone on or about March 24, 2009. Counsel for the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on June 4, 2009. The amended complaint sets forth a cause of action against Blackstone under the False Claims Act for alleged inappropriate payments and other items of value conferred on physician consultants; Orthofix is not named as a defendant in the amended complaint. We believe that this lawsuit is related to the matters described above involving the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, and the U.S. Department of Justice. We intend to defend vigorously against this lawsuit. On September 18, 2008, after being informed of the existence of the lawsuit by representatives of the U.S. Department of Justice and prior to the unsealing of the complaint (which was unsealed by the court on or about November 24, 2008), we submitted a claim for indemnification from the escrow fund established in connection with the Blackstone Merger Agreement for any losses to us resulting from this matter. On or about March 12, 2010, the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts granted Blackstone’s motion to dismiss and, on March 15, 2010, entered judgment in favor of Blackstone. On or about April 9, 2010, the qui tam relators filed a notice of appeal of the district court decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

 

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On or about September 27, 2007, Blackstone received a federal grand jury subpoena issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada (“USAO-Nevada subpoena”). The subpoena seeks documents for the period from January 1999 to the date of issuance of the subpoena. We believe that the subpoena concerns payments or gifts made by Blackstone to certain physicians. On February 29, 2008, Blackstone received a Civil Investigative Demand (“CID”) from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, Public Protection and Advocacy Bureau, Healthcare Division. The CID seeks documents for the period from March 2004 through the date of issuance of the CID, and we believe that the CID concerns Blackstone’s financial relationships with certain physicians and related matters. The Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Health Care Fraud Section has issued a criminal subpoena, dated August 8, 2008, to Orthofix Inc. (the “Ohio AG subpoena”). The Ohio AG subpoena seeks documents for the period from January 1, 2000 through the date of issuance of the subpoena. We believe that the Ohio AG subpoena arises from a government investigation that concerns the compensation of physician consultants and related matters. On September 18, 2008, we submitted a claim for indemnification from the escrow fund established in connection with the Blackstone Merger Agreement for any losses to us resulting from the USAO-Nevada subpoena, the Massachusetts CID and the Ohio AG subpoena.

By order entered on January 4, 2007, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas unsealed a qui tam complaint captioned Thomas v. Chan, et al., 4:06-cv-00465-JLH, filed against Dr. Patrick Chan, Blackstone and other defendants including another device manufacturer. The amended complaint in the Thomas action alleges causes of action under the False Claims Act for alleged inappropriate payments and other items of value conferred on Dr. Chan and another provider. We believe that Blackstone has meritorious defenses to the claims alleged and we intend to defend vigorously against this lawsuit. On or about May 10, 2010 the Court granted the parties’ joint motion to stay all proceedings for six months, which stay has subsequently been extended indefinitely. On September 17, 2007, we submitted a claim for indemnification from the escrow fund established in connection with the Blackstone Merger Agreement for any losses to us resulting from this matter. We were subsequently notified by legal counsel for the former shareholders that the representative of the former shareholders of Blackstone has objected to the indemnification claim and intends to contest it in accordance with the terms of the Blackstone Merger Agreement.

Under the Blackstone Merger Agreement, the former shareholders of Blackstone have agreed to indemnify us for breaches of representations and warranties under the agreement as well as certain other specified matters. These post-closing indemnification obligations of the former Blackstone shareholders are limited to a cumulative aggregate amount of $66.6 million. At closing, an escrow fund was established pursuant to the terms of the Blackstone Merger Agreement to fund timely submitted indemnification claims. The initial amount of the escrow fund was $50.0 million. As of December 31, 2010, the escrow fund, which has subsequently accrued interest, contained $52 million. We are also entitled to seek direct personal recourse against certain principal shareholders of Blackstone after all monies on deposit in the escrow fund have been paid out or released or are the subject of pending or unresolved indemnification claims but only for a period of six years from the closing date of the merger and only up to an amount equal to $66.6 million less indemnification claims previously paid.

In addition to the foregoing claims, we have submitted claims for indemnification from the escrow fund for losses that have resulted or may result from certain civil actions filed against Blackstone as well as certain claims against Blackstone alleging rights to payments for Blackstone stock options not reflected in Blackstone’s corporate ledger at the time of its acquisition by us, or that the shares or stock options subject to those claims were improperly diluted by Blackstone. To date, the representative of the former shareholders of Blackstone has not objected to approximately $1.5 million in such claims from the escrow fund, with certain claims remaining pending.

Although we believe amounts submitted to the escrow fund, net of any reserve, represent valid claims and are realizable, the outcome of each of the escrow claims described above in the preceding paragraphs is difficult to predict. Consequently, any estimate of the amount that may ultimately be returned to us from the escrow fund is not certain and there can be no assurance that losses to us from these matters will not exceed the amount of the escrow fund. Expenses incurred by us relating to the above matters are recorded as an escrow receivable in our consolidated financial statements to the extent we believe, among other things, that collection of the claims is

 

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reasonably assured. Expenditures related to such matters for which we believe collection is doubtful are recognized in earnings when incurred. As of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the escrow receivable was approximately $14.9 million and $12.9 million, respectively, related to the Blackstone matters described above. These amounts include, among other things, attorneys’ fees and costs related to the government investigations manifested by the subpoenas described above, the stock option-related claims described above, and costs related to the qui tam actions described above. As described above, these reimbursement claims are generally being contested by the representative of the former shareholders of Blackstone. To mitigate the risk that some reimbursement claims will not be collected, we record a reserve against the escrow receivable during the period in which reimbursement claims are recognized.

Effective October 29, 2007, Blackstone entered into a settlement agreement of a patent infringement lawsuit brought by certain affiliates of Medtronic Sofamor Danek USA Inc. In that lawsuit, the Medtronic plaintiffs had alleged that they were the exclusive licensees of certain U.S. patents and that Blackstone’s making, selling, offering for sale, and using its Blackstone Anterior Cervical Plate, 3 Degree Anterior Cervical Plate, Hallmark Anterior Cervical Plate, Reliant Cervical Plate, Pillar PEEK and Construx Mini PEEK VBR System products within the U.S. willfully infringed the subject patents. Blackstone denied infringement and asserted that the patents were invalid. The settlement agreement is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. On July 20, 2007, we submitted a claim for indemnification from the escrow fund established in connection with the Blackstone Merger Agreement for any losses to us resulting from this matter. We were subsequently notified by legal counsel of the former shareholders that the representative of the former shareholders of Blackstone has objected to the indemnification claim and intends to contest it in accordance with the terms of the Blackstone Merger Agreement.

On or about April 10, 2009, the Company received a HIPAA subpoena (“HIPAA subpoena”) issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts (the “Boston USAO”). The subpoena sought documents concerning, among other things, our promotion and marketing of its bone growth stimulator devices. The Boston USAO issued supplemental subpoenas seeking documents in this matter, dated September 21, 2009, December 16, 2009, October 13, 2010, October 14, 2010, October 18, 2010, December 3, 2010 and January 13, 2011, respectively. The subpoenas seek documents for the period January 1, 1995 through the date of the respective subpoenas. Document production in response to the subpoenas is ongoing. The Boston USAO also issued two supplemental subpoenas requiring testimony in this matter dated July 23, 2009 and June 3, 2010. That office excused performance with the July 23, 2009 subpoena indefinitely. The Boston USAO has provided us with grand jury subpoenas for the testimony of certain current and former employees in connection with its ongoing investigation. We intend to cooperate with the government’s requests. In meetings with us and our attorneys regarding this matter, the Boston USAO has informed us that it is investigating possible criminal and civil violations of federal law related to our promotion and marketing of our bone growth stimulator devices.

On or about April 14, 2009, we obtained a copy of a qui tam complaint filed by Jeffrey J. Bierman in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts against us, Orthofix Inc. and other companies that have allegedly manufactured bone growth stimulation devices, including Orthologic Corp., DJO Incorporated, Reable Therapeutics, Inc., the Blackstone Group, L.P., Biomet, Inc., EBI, L.P., EBI Holdings, Inc., EBI Medical Systems, Inc., Bioelectron, Inc., LBV Acquisition, Inc., and Smith & Nephew, Inc. By order entered on March 24, 2009, the court unsealed the case. The Company and Orthofix Inc. were served on or about September 8, 2009. With leave of court, Relator’s Second Amended Complaint was filed on June 11, 2010. The complaint alleges various causes of action under the federal False Claims Act and state and city false claims acts premised on the contention that the defendants improperly promoted the sale, as opposed to the rental, of bone growth stimulation devices. The complaint also includes claims against the defendants for, among other things, allegedly misleading physicians and purportedly causing them to file false claims and for allegedly violating the Anti-kickback Act by providing free products to physicians, waiving patients’ insurance co-payments, and providing inducements to independent sales agents to generate business. We believe that this lawsuit is related to the matter described above involving the HIPAA subpoena. On or about December 4, 2010, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts denied our motion to dismiss. We intend to defend vigorously against this lawsuit.

 

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On or about July 2, 2009, we obtained a copy of a qui tam complaint filed by Marcus Laughlin that is pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts against us. This complaint has been consolidated with the complaint described in the immediately preceding paragraph, and was unsealed on June 30, 2009. We were served with the complaint on or about September 9, 2009. With leave of Court, Relator filed a Second Amended Complaint on June 23, 2010. The complaint alleges violations of the federal False Claims Act and various state and local false claims acts, fraudulent billing, illegal kickbacks, conspiracy, and wrongful termination based on allegations that the we promoted the sale rather than the rental of bone growth stimulation devices, systematically overcharged for these products, provided physicians kickbacks in the form of free units, referral fees, and fitting fees. The complaint also alleges that TRICARE has been reimbursing us for our Cervical Stim® product without approval to do so. On or about November 4, 2010, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts granted in part and denied in part our motion to dismiss. We intend to defend vigorously against this lawsuit.

Our subsidiary, Breg, Inc (“Breg”), was engaged in the manufacturing and sale of local infusion pumps for pain management from 1999 to 2008, when the product line was divested. Since 2008, numerous product liability cases have been filed in the United States alleging that the local anesthetic, when dispensed by such infusion pumps inside a joint, causes a rare arthritic condition called “chondrolysis.” We believe that meritorious defenses exist to these claims and Breg intends to vigorously defend these cases. On or about August 2, 2010, Breg received a HIPAA subpoena issued by the U.S. Department of Justice, which we believe relates to this matter. The subpoena seeks documents from us and our subsidiaries for the period January 1, 2000 through the date of the subpoena. Document production in response to the subpoena is ongoing.

Breg is currently engaged in the manufacturing and sales of motorized cold therapy units used to reduce pain and swelling. Beginning in 2010, several domestic product liability cases have been filed, mostly in California state court, alleging that the use of cold therapy causes skin and/or nerve injury and seeking damages on behalf of individual plaintiffs who were allegedly injured by such units. These cases are at an early stage and no conclusion can be drawn at the present time regarding their potential outcome. However, we believe that meritorious defenses exist to these claims.

On April 22, 2010, we obtained a copy of a complaint filed by NuVasive, Inc. (“NuVasive”) and Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. (“Osiris”) in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey against Orthofix International N.V., Orthofix Inc., Orthofix Holdings, Inc., Orthofix Biologics, Orthofix Spinal Implants, and Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation. The complaint alleged that our Trinity® Evolution allograft product infringed a U.S. patent owned by Osiris and licensed to NuVasive. The complaint requested the court to enjoin the sale of Trinity® Evolution and award damages to NuVasive and Osiris for the alleged infringement. On December 15, 2010, we entered into an agreement with NuVasive and Osiris settling all claims related to this matter. In connection with the settlement, we recorded a charge of $2.0 million ($1.3 million, net of income taxes) in 2010, and we will be required to make certain royalty payments to NuVasive in the future in connection with the sale of our Trinity® Evolution allograft product.

During the second quarter of 2010 internal management review of Promeca S.A. de C.V. (“Promeca”), one of our Mexican subsidiaries, we received allegations of improper payments, allegedly made by certain of Promeca’s local employees in Mexico, to employees of a Mexican governmental healthcare entity. We have engaged Hogan Lovells US LLP and Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP to conduct an internal investigation focusing on compliance with the FCPA and voluntarily contacted the SEC and the United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”) to advise both agencies that an internal investigation is underway. Promeca accounted for approximately one percent of our consolidated net sales and consolidated total assets. The internal investigation is ongoing and no conclusions can be drawn at this time as to its outcome; however, the FCPA and related statutes and regulations provide for potential criminal and civil sanctions in connection with FCPA violations, including criminal fines, civil penalties, and disgorgement of past profits. On or about November 16, 2010, we received a subpoena from the SEC and DOJ seeking documents related to this matter. We are cooperating with the SEC and DOJ in connection with the subpoena.

 

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We cannot predict with certainty the outcome of any proceedings or claims made against us or our subsidiaries described in the preceding paragraphs and there can be no assurance that the ultimate resolution of any claim will not have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

In addition to the foregoing, in the normal course of our business, we are involved in various lawsuits from time to time and may be subject to certain other contingencies. To the extent losses related to these contingencies are both probable and estimable, we provide appropriate amounts in the accompanying financial statements.

Constitutional Reform of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; Dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles

We were organized under the laws of the Netherlands Antilles in 1987, with our principal executive offices located on the island of Curaçao. Prior to October 10, 2010, the Netherlands Antilles, together with Aruba and the Netherlands, formed the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with Curaçao being an island territory of the Netherlands Antilles. Under a constitutional reform of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, agreed upon among the Netherlands Antilles, Aruba and the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles was dissolved effective October 10, 2010. Also effective October 10, 2010, Curaçao became an individual constitutional entity within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, having its own government and laws. As a result of the constitutional reform and the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles, the Netherlands Antilles law ceased to exist and Orthofix is now a Curaçao legal entity subject to Curaçao law. Although Curaçao has become a separate and autonomous country with its own laws and regulations, the civil and corporate Netherlands Antilles law as they applied to Orthofix before October 10, 2010, did not change under the constitutional reform. In effect, Curaçao has adopted the Netherlands Antilles civil and corporate law (to which Orthofix was subject) that was in effect prior to October 10, 2010.

 

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Item X. Executive Officers of the Registrant

The following table sets forth certain information about the persons who serve as our executive officers.

 

Name

   Age     

Position

Alan W. Milinazzo

     51       Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

Robert S. Vaters

     50       Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and President, Global Spine Business Unit

Brian McCollum

     35       Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance

Brad Lee

     45       President, Global Sports Medicine Business Unit

Luigi Ferrari

     43       President, Global Orthopedics Business Unit

Michael M. Finegan

     47       Vice President, Corporate Development and President, Biologics

Jeffrey M. Schumm

     49       Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Our officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers. The following is a summary of the background of each executive officer.

Alan W. Milinazzo. Mr. Milinazzo joined Orthofix International N.V. in 2005 as Chief Operating Officer and succeeded to the position of Chief Executive Officer effective as of April 1, 2006. From 2002 to 2005, Mr. Milinazzo was Vice President of Medtronic, Inc.’s Vascular business as well as Vice President and General Manager of Medtronic’s Coronary and Peripheral businesses. Prior to his time with Medtronic, Mr. Milinazzo spent 12 years as an executive with Boston Scientific Corporation in numerous roles, including Vice President of Marketing for SCIMED Europe. Mr. Milinazzo brings more than two and a half decades of experience in the management and marketing of medical device businesses, including positions with Aspect Medical Systems and American Hospital Supply. He earned a bachelor’s degree, cum laude, at Boston College in 1981.

Robert S. Vaters. Mr. Vaters became Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and President, Global Spine Business Unit of Orthofix International N.V. in January 2011, after previously serving as the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since September 2008. Mr. Vaters joined the Company in September 2008 after almost four years as a senior executive at Inamed Corporation, where he was Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Head of Strategy and Corporate Development. Inamed Corporation, a global medical device company was acquired by Allergan Inc. in March of 2006. Since 2006, Mr. Vaters has been General Partner of a healthcare private equity firm, which he co-founded, and serves on the Board of Reliable Biopharmaceutical Corporation, a private healthcare company.

Brian McCollum. In March 2011, Mr. McCollum was promoted to the position of Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance. Mr. McCollum, who has been employed by the Company since 2001, was promoted from his most recent position of Senior Vice President of Finance, which he had held since August 2010. From December 2008 until August 2010, he was Vice President International Finance and Group Treasurer; from July 2006 to December 2008, he was Vice President Finance, The Americas; and from May 2001 to July 2006 he held various other finance-related positions at the Company.

Brad Lee. Mr. Lee became President, Global Sports Medicine Business Unit in July 2010, after previously serving since July 2008 as President, BREG, Orthofix Sports Medicine. He joined Orthofix in 2005 as Director of Business Development, and in early 2008, became Vice President and General Manager of the BREG Sports Medicine Division. Prior to joining the Orthofix team, Mr. Lee was Vice President of Marketing for LMA North America.

Luigi Ferrari. Mr. Ferrari became President, Global Orthopedics Business Unit in July 2010, after previously serving since November 2009 as President for International, where he managed the Orthopedics International, MedSurg and European Spine businesses. Prior to November 2009, he was President of Orthopedics International and was responsible for the development, manufacturing and sales of fixation systems

 

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in International markets. From 2006 to 2008, he was Vice President of Europe and oversaw Orthofix activities in these key geographic markets. He serves also as General Manager of Orthofix Srl, Italy. Mr. Ferrari graduated with a degree in Management Engineering from Politecnico di Milano University in 1992 and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School—Advanced Management Program in October 2010.

Michael M. Finegan. Mr. Finegan joined Orthofix International N.V. in June 2006 as Vice President of Corporate Development. Mr. Finegan was named President, Biologics in March 2009. Prior to joining Orthofix, Mr. Finegan spent sixteen years as an executive with Boston Scientific in a number of different operating and strategic roles, most recently as Vice President of Corporate Sales. Earlier in his career, Mr. Finegan held sales and marketing roles with Marion Laboratories and spent three years in banking with First Union Corporation (Wachovia). Mr. Finegan earned a BA in Economics from Wake Forest University.

Jeffrey M. Schumm. Mr. Schumm joined Orthofix International N.V. as Assistant General Counsel in January 2007, and was promoted to Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary in October 2010. From 2004 to 2006, Mr. Schumm served as Vice President and General Counsel for Regeneration Technologies, Inc. Earlier in his career, he served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Florida, as an associate at Holland & Knight LLP and as a Staff Attorney at the Supreme Court of Florida. Mr. Schumm received his Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering and Masters in Business Administration from Lehigh University, and he is a magna cum laude graduate of the Florida State University College of Law.

 

Item 4. (Reserved)

 

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PART II

 

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Market for Our Common Stock

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq® Global Select Market under the symbol “OFIX.” The following table shows the quarterly range of high and low sales prices for our common stock as reported by Nasdaq® for each of the two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2010. As of February 28, 2011 we had 578 holders of record of our common stock. The closing price of our common stock on February 28, 2011 was $31.60.

 

     High      Low  

2009

     

First Quarter

   $ 19.99       $ 13.43   

Second Quarter

     27.24         16.10   

Third Quarter

     30.47         22.03   

Fourth Quarter

     33.49         28.43   

2010

     

First Quarter

   $ 36.38       $ 28.75   

Second Quarter

     38.35         28.67   

Third Quarter

     33.37         26.63   

Fourth Quarter

     31.61         26.72   

Dividend Policy

We have not paid dividends to holders of our common stock in the past. We currently intend to retain all of our consolidated earnings to finance credit agreement obligations and to finance the continued growth of our business. We have no present intention to pay dividends in the foreseeable future.

In the event that we decide to pay a dividend to holders of our common stock in the future with dividends received from our subsidiaries, we may, based on prevailing rates of taxation, be required to pay additional withholding and income tax on such amounts received from our subsidiaries.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

There were no securities sold by us during 2010 that were not registered under the Securities Act.

Exchange Controls

Although there are Curacao laws that may impose foreign exchange controls on us and that may affect the payment of dividends, interest or other payments to nonresident holders of our securities, including the shares of common stock, we have been granted an exemption from such foreign exchange control regulations by the Central Bank of Curacao and St. Maarten. Other jurisdictions in which we conduct operations may have various currency or exchange controls. In addition, we are subject to the risk of changes in political conditions or economic policies that could result in new or additional currency or exchange controls or other restrictions being imposed on our operations. As to our securities, Curacao law and our Articles of Association impose no limitations on the rights of persons who are not residents in or citizens of the Curacao to hold or vote such securities.

Taxation

Orthofix International N.V. was organized under the laws of the Netherlands Antilles and is headquartered in Curacao. On October 10, 2010, the Netherlands Antilles ceased to exist and Curacao became a separate and autonomous country. As of October 10, 2010 the laws as they existed under the Netherlands Antilles automatically

 

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became the laws of the country of Curacao. Our tax rulings and agreements as they existed under the Netherlands Antilles remain in effect. Under the laws of the country of Curacao as currently in effect, a holder of shares of common stock who is not a resident of, and during the taxable year has not engaged in trade or business through a permanent establishment in Curacao will not be subject to Curacao income tax on dividends paid with respect to the shares of common stock or on gains realized during that year on sale or disposal of such shares; Curacao does not impose a withholding tax on dividends paid by us. There are no gift or inheritance taxes levied by Curacao when, at the time of such gift or at the time of death, the relevant holder of common shares was not domiciled in Curacao. No reciprocal tax treaty presently exists between Curacao and the U.S.

Performance Graph

The following performance graph in this Item 5 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is not deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent we specifically incorporate it by reference into such a filing.

The graph below compares the five-year total return to shareholders for Orthofix common stock with comparable return of two indexes: the NASDAQ Stock Market and NASDAQ stocks for surgical, medical, and dental instruments and supplies.

The graph assumes that you invested $100 in Orthofix Common Stock and in each of the indexes on December 31, 2005. Points on the graph represent the performance as of the last business day of each of the years indicated.

LOGO

 

 

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following selected consolidated financial data for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. The financial data as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 and for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 should be read in conjunction with, and are qualified in their entirety by, reference to Item 7 under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“US GAAP”).

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2010     2009     2008     2007     2006  
     (US$ in thousands, except margin and per share data)  

Consolidated operating results

          

Net sales

   $ 564,370      $ 545,635      $ 519,675      $ 490,323      $ 365,359   

Gross profit (5)

     432,654        407,185        367,661        361,291        271,734   

Gross profit margin (5)

     77     75     71     74     74

Total operating income (loss) (6)

     88,990        63,875        (256,949     38,057        9,946   

Net income (loss) (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

     44,208        24,472        (228,554     10,968        (7,042

Net income (loss) per share of common stock (basic)

     2.51        1.43        (13.37     0.66        (0.44

Net income (loss) per share of common stock (diluted)

     2.47        1.42        (13.37     0.64        (0.44

 

(1) The Company has not paid any dividends in any of the years presented.
(2) Net loss for 2006 includes $40.0 million after tax earnings charge related to in-process research and development costs related to the Blackstone acquisition.
(3) Net income for 2007 includes $12.8 million after tax earnings charge related to impairment of certain intangible assets.
(4) Net loss for 2008 includes $237.7 million after tax charge related to impairment of goodwill and certain intangible assets.
(5) Gross profit includes effect of obsolescence provision representing 2% points for the year ended December 31, 2008.
(6) Operating income includes the gain on sale of vascular operations of $12.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

     As of December 31,  
(at year-end)    2010      2009      2008      2007      2006  
     (US$ in thousands, except share data)  

Consolidated financial position

              

Total assets

   $ 603,989       $ 590,473       $ 561,215       $ 885,664       $ 862,285   

Total debt

     220,007         254,673         282,769         306,635         315,467   

Shareholders’ equity

     300,891         240,269         202,061         433,940         392,635   

Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding (basic)

     17,601,956         17,119,474         17,095,416         16,638,873         16,165,540   

Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding (diluted)

     17,913,545         17,202,943         17,095,416         17,047,587         16,165,540   

 

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis addresses the results of our operations which are based upon the consolidated financial statements included herein, which have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP. This discussion should be read in conjunction with “Forward-Looking Statements” and our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K. This discussion and analysis also addresses our liquidity and financial condition and other matters.

General

We are a diversified orthopedic products company offering a broad line of surgical and non-surgical products for the Spine, Orthopedics, Sports Medicine and Other Products market sectors. Our products are designed to address the lifelong bone-and-joint health needs of patients of all ages, helping them achieve a more active and mobile lifestyle. We design, develop, manufacture, market and distribute medical equipment used principally by musculoskeletal medical specialists for orthopedic applications. Our main products are invasive and minimally invasive spinal implant products and related human cellular and tissue based products (“HCT/P products”), non-invasive bone growth stimulation products used to enhance the success rate of spinal fusions and to treat non-union fractures, external and internal fixation devices used in fracture treatment, limb lengthening and bone reconstruction; and bracing products used for ligament injury prevention, pain management and protection of surgical repair to promote faster healing. Our products also include cold therapy, bone cement and devices for removal of bone cement used to fix artificial implants.

Our 2010 results and financial condition include the following items of significance:

 

   

An increase in revenue driven by the introduction of a number of key new products that were launched in 2009, including the Trinity® Evolution allograft, the Firebird pedicle screw system, the PILLAR SA interbody device, and the Ascent® LE posterior cervical spine system.

 

   

An increase in gross profit margin driven by a full year of sales of our key new products indicated above, primarily Trinity® Evolution. While we record 70% of the sales price of Trinity® Evolution allograft versus recording 100% of the sales price of the previous Trinity® product, we recognize a 100% gross profit margin from the marketing fees earned from the sales of this allograft, compared to approximately a 50% gross profit margin on our previous Trinity® product. This is due to the fact that we are not required to purchase inventory of Trinity® Evolution whereas, previously, we were required to purchase inventory of the previous Trinity® product and record the associated cost of sales. The previous Trinity® product was sold through the end of the second quarter of 2009.

 

   

A decrease in operating expenses, as a percentage of net sales, as we continue to leverage our operating infrastructure against the increase in net sales noted above. In 2008, we initiated a reorganization and consolidation plan to reduce operating expenses by eliminating redundancies and increasing operating efficiency. This plan included the consolidation of our Springfield, MA and Wayne, NJ locations into our operations in the Dallas, TX area. For a further discussion of this reorganization and consolidation plan, please refer to the explanation provided in our Liquidity and Capital Resources section of the Management Discussion and Analysis.

We have administrative and training facilities in the U.S. and Italy and manufacturing facilities in the U.S., the United Kingdom, Italy and Mexico. We directly distribute our products in the U.S., the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, Belgium, Brazil, and Puerto Rico. In several of these and other markets, we also distribute our products through independent distributors.

Our consolidated financial statements include the financial results of our Company and our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries and entities over which we have control. All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

 

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Our reporting currency is the U.S. Dollar. All balance sheet accounts, except shareholders’ equity, are translated at year-end exchange rates, and revenue and expense items are translated at weighted average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in other income and expense. Gains and losses resulting from the translation of foreign currency financial statements are recorded in the accumulated other comprehensive income component of shareholders’ equity.

Our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows are not significantly impacted by seasonality trends. However, sales associated with products for elective procedures appear to be influenced by the somewhat lower level of such procedures performed in the late summer. Certain of the Breg® bracing products experience greater demand in the fall and winter corresponding with high school and college football schedules and winter sports. In addition, we do not believe our operations will be significantly affected by inflation. However, in the ordinary course of business, we are exposed to the impact of changes in interest rates and foreign currency fluctuations. Our objective is to limit the impact of such movements on earnings and cash flows. In order to achieve this objective, we seek to balance non-dollar denominated income and expenditures. During the year, we have used derivative instruments to hedge foreign currency fluctuation exposures. See Item 7A—“Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

We manage our operations as four business segments: Domestic, Spinal Implants and Biologics, Breg, and International. Domestic consists of operations of our subsidiary Orthofix Inc. within the United States. Spinal Implants and Biologics consist of our Blackstone subsidiary and its domestic and international operations. Breg consists of Breg Inc.’s operations and domestic and international distributors. International consists of operations which are located in the rest of the world as well as independent export distribution operations. Group Activities are comprised of the operating expenses and identifiable assets of Orthofix International N.V. and its U.S. holding company subsidiary, Orthofix Holdings, Inc. Beginning January 1, 2011, we began managing our business by our three global business units of Spine, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our discussion of operating results is based upon the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with US GAAP. The preparation of these statements necessarily requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates and assumptions form the basis for the carrying values of assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate these estimates, including those related to contractual allowances, doubtful accounts, inventories, potential intangible assets and goodwill impairment, income taxes, and share-based compensation. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions. Actual results may differ from these estimates. We have reviewed our critical accounting policies with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is generally recognized as income in the period in which title passes and the products are delivered. Revenues exclude any value added or other local taxes, intercompany sales and trade discounts. Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales. Royalty revenues are recognized when the royalty is earned.

For bone growth stimulation and certain bracing products that are prescribed by a physician, we recognize revenue when the product is placed on or implanted in and accepted by the patient. For domestic spinal implant and HCT/P products, revenues are recognized when the product has been utilized and a confirming purchase order has been received from the hospital. For sales to commercial customers, including hospitals and distributors, revenues are recognized at the time of shipment unless contractual agreements specify that title passes on delivery. Revenues for inventory delivered on consignment are recognized as the product is used by the consignee.

 

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In 2008, we entered into an agreement with the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation (“MTF”) to develop and commercialize Trinity® Evolution, a stem cell-based bone growth biologic matrix. With the development process completed in 2009, our Company and MTF operate under the terms of a separate commercialization agreement. Under the terms of this 10-year agreement, MTF sources the tissue, processes it to create the bone growth matrix, packages and delivers it to the customer in accordance with orders received from us. We have exclusive global marketing rights for Trinity® Evolution and receive a marketing fee from MTF based on total sales. This marketing fee is recorded on a net basis within net sales.

We derive a significant amount of revenues in the U.S. from third-party payors, including commercial insurance carriers, health maintenance organizations, preferred provider organizations and governmental payors such as Medicare. Amounts paid by these third-party payors are generally based on fixed or allowable reimbursement rates. These revenues are recorded at the expected or pre-authorized reimbursement rates, net of any contractual allowances or adjustments. Certain billings are subject to review by the third-party payors and may be subject to adjustment.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Contractual Allowances

The process for estimating the ultimate collection of accounts receivable involves significant assumptions and judgments. Historical collection and payor reimbursement experience is an integral part of the estimation process related to reserves for doubtful accounts and the establishment of contractual allowances. Accounts receivable are analyzed on a quarterly basis to assess the adequacy of both reserves for doubtful accounts and contractual allowances. Revisions in allowances for doubtful accounts estimates are recorded as an adjustment to bad debt expense within sales and marketing expenses. Revisions to contractual allowances are recorded as an adjustment to net sales. In the judgment of management, adequate allowances have been provided for doubtful accounts and contractual allowances. Our estimates are periodically tested against actual collection experience.

Inventory Allowances

We write down our inventory for inventory excess and obsolescence by an amount equal to the difference between the cost of the inventory and the estimated net realizable value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. Inventory is analyzed to assess the adequacy of inventory excess and obsolescence provisions. Reserves for excess and obsolescence provisions are recorded as adjustments to cost of goods sold. If conditions or assumptions used in determining the market value change, additional inventory adjustments in the future may be necessary.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

In accordance with ASC Topic 360—“Property, Plant and Equipment”, intangible assets with definite lives, such as our developed technologies and distribution network assets, are tested for impairment if any adverse conditions exist or change in circumstances has occurred that would indicate impairment or a change in the remaining useful life. If an impairment indicator exists, we test the intangible asset for recoverability. For purposes of the recoverability test, we group our intangible assets with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows if the intangible asset does not generate cash flows independent of other assets and liabilities. If the carrying value of the intangible asset (asset group) exceeds the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the intangible asset (asset group), we will write the carrying value down to the fair value in the period identified.

We generally calculate fair value of our intangible assets as the present value of estimated future cash flows that we expect to generate from the asset using a risk-adjusted discount rate. In determining the estimated future cash flows associated with intangible assets, we use estimates and assumptions about future revenue contributions, cost structures and remaining useful lives of the asset (asset group). The use of alternative assumptions, including estimated cash flows, discount rates, and alternative estimated remaining useful lives could result in different calculations of impairment.

 

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We test goodwill and certain indefinite lived trademarks at least annually for impairment. We test more frequently if indicators are present or changes in circumstances suggest that impairment may exist. These indicators include, among others, declines in sales, earnings or cash flows, or the development of a material adverse change in the business climate. We assess goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment, referred to as a component. Consistent with prior years, we have identified four reporting units, which are consistent with our reporting segments; Domestic, Spinal Implants and Biologics, Breg and International (see Note 12 for additional information).

In performing the annual impairment test, which is performed during the fourth quarter or more frequently when impairment indicators exist, we utilize the two-step approach prescribed. The first step requires a comparison of each reporting unit’s carrying value to the fair value of the respective unit (see additional discussions below). If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. During 2008, we recorded a goodwill impairment of $126.9 million. No impairments were recorded during 2010 and 2009.

Carrying Value

In order to calculate the respective carrying values, we record goodwill based on the purchase price allocation performed at the time of acquisition. Corporate assets and liabilities that directly relate to a reporting unit’s operations are ascribed directly to that reporting unit. Corporate assets and liabilities that are not directly related to a specific reporting unit, but from which the reporting unit benefits, are allocated based on the respective contribution measure of each reporting unit.

Fair Value

The fair value of each reporting unit is estimated, entirely or predominantly, using an income based approach. This income approach utilizes a discounted cash flow (“DCF”), which estimates after-tax cash flows on a debt free basis, discounted to present value using a risk-adjusted discount rate.

We believe the DCF generally provides the most meaningful fair value as it appropriately measures our income producing assets. We may consider using a cost approach but generally believe it is not appropriate, given the inability to replicate the value of the specific technology-based assets within our reporting units. In circumstances when the DCF indicator of fair value is not sufficiently conclusive to support the carrying value of a reporting unit, or when other measures provide a more appropriate indicator, we may consider a market approach in our determination of the reporting unit’s fair value.

In performing a DCF calculation, we are required to make assumptions about the amount and timing of future expected cash flows, terminal value growth rates and appropriate discount rates. In connection with these estimates, we consider the following:

 

   

The determination of expected cash flows is based on our strategic plans and long-range planning forecasts which, to the extent reasonably possible, reflect anticipated changes in the economy and the industry. Revenue growth rates represent estimates based on current and forecasted market conditions. The profit margin assumptions are projected by each reporting unit based on historical margins, the current cost structure and anticipated net cost reductions.

 

   

The terminal value growth rate is used to calculate the value of cash flows beyond the last projected period in the DCF. This rate reflects our estimates for stable, perpetual growth for each reporting unit.

 

   

The discount rates are based on the reporting unit’s risk-adjusted weighted average cost of capital, using assumptions consistent with publicly traded guideline companies operating within the medical device industry as well as our specific risk factors for each reporting unit.

 

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Management utilizes its operational and industry experience to address these assumptions with best estimates. To corroborate our calculations, we reconciled our total market capitalization value to the collective fair value of the four reporting units. We believe this analysis, for the current year, provided an implied control premium consistent with the current industry average.

Domestic, Spinal Implants and Biologics, and International Reporting Units

Consistent with the prior year calculation, the fair value of for these three reporting units has been established entirely using a DCF method. These DCF results concluded the fair value for each reporting unit significantly exceeded the respective carrying values at December 31, 2010. The methodology used to calculate assumptions in the December 31, 2010 DCF were consistent with that in the prior year. This approach appropriately considered adjustments for changes in the economic climate.

Breg Reporting Unit

The estimated fair value for our Breg reporting unit, which accounts for $99.3 million of goodwill, exceeded the relating carrying value by approximately 6%. The fair value was estimated entirely using a DCF model. This compares to the prior year, in which our fair value estimate also considered indications using a market approach. Given the lack of similar circumstances and events, that provided market based indications of fair value in the prior year, we determined a DCF model most appropriately reflected Breg’s fair value in the current year.

The projected cash flows assume revenue growth, which is consistent with historical activity and reflective of recent investments in the reporting unit. The DCF model further reflects, what we believe, to be appropriate discount and terminal growth rate assumptions. While management does not believe the following assumption changes are reasonably likely to apply, for sensitivity purposes we have considered the impact to Breg’s fair value by increasing the discount rate and reducing the perpetual growth rate by 50 basis points each and reducing revenue growth by 25%. These sensitivity analyses noted that any individual change to one or another of these assumptions would not have the effect of reducing Breg’s estimated fair value below its respective carrying value; however, any combination of these changes would reduce Breg’s estimated fair value below its carrying value. As a result, if actual operating results and/or the underlying assumptions used in the analyses differ from expected, a future impairment charge may be necessary.

In the event that the future operating results of any of our reporting units do not meet our current expectations, we will consider taking other actions as necessary to maximize profitability based upon conditions at the time. Accordingly, the above sensitivity analysis, while a useful tool, should not be used as a sole predictor of potential impairment. A thorough analysis of all the facts and circumstances existing at the time of such an evaluation would need to be performed to determine if recording an impairment loss was appropriate.

Derivatives

We manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates and foreign exchange within the consolidated financial statements according to our hedging policy. Under the policy, we may engage in non-leveraged transactions involving various financial derivative instruments to manage exposed positions. The policy requires us to formally document the relationship between the hedging instrument and hedged item, as well as its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge transaction. For instruments designated as a cash flow hedge, we formally assess (both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis) whether the derivative that is used in the hedging transaction has been effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the hedged item and whether such derivative may be expected to remain effective in future periods. If it is determined that a derivative is not (or has ceased to be) effective as a hedge, we will discontinue the related hedge accounting prospectively. Such a determination would be made when (1) the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the hedged item; (2) the derivative expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised; or (3) management determines that designating the derivative as a hedging instrument is no longer appropriate. Ineffective portions of changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings.

 

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We record all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet at their respective fair values. For a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the derivative’s change in fair value (i.e., gains or losses) is initially reported as a component of other comprehensive income, net of related taxes, and subsequently reclassified into net earnings when the hedged exposure is no longer effective.

We utilize a cross currency swap to manage our foreign currency exposure related to a portion of our intercompany receivable of a U.S. dollar functional currency subsidiary that is denominated in Euro. The cross currency swap has been accounted for as a cash flow hedge in accordance with ASC Topic 815 – “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC Topic 815”).

Litigation and Contingent Liabilities

From time to time, we are parties to or targets of lawsuits, investigations and proceedings, including product liability, personal injury, patent and intellectual property, health and safety and employment and healthcare regulatory matters, which are handled and defended in the ordinary course of business. These lawsuits, investigations or proceedings could involve a substantial number of claims and could also have an adverse impact on our reputation and customer base. Although we maintain various liability insurance programs for liabilities that could result from such lawsuits, investigations or proceedings, we are self-insured for a significant portion of such liabilities. We accrue for such claims when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The process of analyzing, assessing and establishing reserve estimates for these types of claims involves judgment. Changes in the facts and circumstances associated with a claim could have a material impact on our results of operations and cash flows in the period that reserve estimates are revised. We believe that present insurance coverage and reserves are sufficient to cover currently estimated exposures, but we cannot give any assurance that we will not incur liabilities in excess of recorded reserves or our present insurance coverage.

As part of the total Blackstone purchase price, approximately $50.0 million was placed into an escrow account, against which we can make claims for reimbursement for certain defined items relating to the acquisition for which we are indemnified. We have certain contingencies arising from the acquisition that we expect will be reimbursable from the escrow account should we have to make a payment to a third party, including legal fees incurred related to the matter. We believe that the amount that we will be required to pay relating to the contingencies will not exceed the amount of the escrow account; however, there can be no assurance that the contingencies will not exceed the amount of the escrow account.

Tax Matters

We and each of our subsidiaries are taxed at the rates applicable within each of their respective jurisdictions. The composite income tax rate, tax provisions, deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities will vary according to the jurisdiction in which profits arise. Further, certain of our subsidiaries sell products directly to our other subsidiaries or provide administrative, marketing and support services to our other subsidiaries. These intercompany sales and support services involve subsidiaries operating in jurisdictions with differing tax rates. The tax authorities in such jurisdictions may challenge our treatments under residency criteria, transfer pricing provisions, or other aspects of their respective tax laws, which could affect our composite tax rate and provisions.

We adopted the provisions of ASC Topic 740—“Income Taxes”, on January 1, 2007. As such, we determine whether it is more likely than not that our tax positions will be sustained based on the technical merits of each position. At December 31, 2010, we have $0.6 million of unrecognized tax benefits compared with $0.4 million of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2009. We have accrued interest and penalties of $0.4 million at both December 31, 2010 and 2009.

 

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Share-based Compensation

We recognize share-based compensation in accordance with ASC Topic 718—“Compensation—Stock Compensation” The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model. Such value is recognized as expense over the service period net of estimated forfeitures.

The expected term of options granted is estimated based on a number of factors, including the vesting and expiration terms of the award, historical employee exercise behavior for both options that are currently outstanding and options that have been exercised or are expired, the expected volatility of our common stock and an employee’s average length of service. The risk-free interest rate is determined based upon a constant U.S. Treasury security rate with a contractual life that approximates the expected term of the option award. Management estimates expected volatility based on the historical volatility of our stock. The compensation expense recognized for all equity-based awards is net of estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated based on an analysis of actual option forfeitures.

Selected Financial Data

The following table presents certain items in our statements of operations as a percent of net sales for the periods indicated:

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2010
(%)
    2009
(%)
     2008
(%)
 

Net sales

     100        100         100   

Cost of sales

     23        25         29   

Gross profit

     77        75         71   

Operating expenses

       

Sales and marketing

     41        40         40   

General and administrative

     16        16         16   

Research and development

     5        6         6   

Amortization of intangible assets

     1        1         3   

Impairment of certain intangible assets

     —          —           56   

Gain on sale of non-core operations

     (2     —           —     

Total operating income (loss)

     16        12         (49

Net income (loss)

     8        4         (44

Segment and Market Sector Revenue

The following tables display net sales by business segment and net sales by market sector. We maintain our books and records and account for net sales, costs of sales and expenses by business segment. We provide net sales by market sector for information purposes only.

Business Segments:

 

     Year ended December 31,
(US$ in thousands)
 
     2010     2009     2008  
     Net Sales      Percent of
Total Net
Sales
    Net Sales      Percent of
Total Net
Sales
    Net Sales      Percent of
Total Net
Sales
 

Domestic

   $ 228,221         41   $ 210,703         38   $ 188,807         36

Spinal Implants and Biologics

     130,523         23     118,680         22     108,966         21

Breg

     91,664         16     92,188         17     89,478         17

International

     113,962         20     124,064         23     132,424         26
                                                   

Total

   $ 564,370         100   $ 545,635         100   $ 519,675         100
                                                   

 

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Our revenues are derived from sales of products in the market sectors of Spine, Orthopedics, Sports Medicine and Other Products.

Market Sectors:

 

     Year ended December 31,
(US$ in thousands)
 
     2010     2009     2008  
     Net Sales      Percent of
Total Net
Sales
    Net Sales      Percent of
Total Net
Sales
    Net Sales      Percent of
Total Net
Sales
 

Spine

   $ 306,422         54   $ 279,425         51   $ 252,239         49

Orthopedics

     144,448         26     131,310         24     129,106         25

Sports Medicine

     95,462         17     96,366         18     94,528         18

Other Products

     18,038         3     38,534         7     43,802         8
                                                   

Total

   $ 564,370         100   $ 545,635         100   $ 519,675         100
                                                   

2010 Compared to 2009

Net sales increased 3% to $564.4 million in 2010 compared to $545.6 million in 2009. The comparative year net sales performance was impacted by our sale of our vascular operations in March 2010 and by our termination of a distribution agreement to sell anesthesia products in the United Kingdom. See below for further information about these departures. The impact of foreign currency increased sales by $0.3 million in 2010 when compared to 2009.

Sales by Business Segment:

Domestic

Net sales in Domestic increased to $228.2 million in 2010 compared to $210.7 million in 2009, an increase of 8%. Domestic’s net sales represented 41% and 38% of our total net sales in 2010 and 2009, respectively. The increase in Domestic’s net sales was partially the result of a 9% increase in sales in our Spine market sector, which was mainly driven by increased sales of our Spinal-Stim® and Cervical-Stim® products. The increase in Domestic’s net sales was also attributable to a 7% increase in our Orthopedics market sector which included sales increases in both of our external fixation and deformity correction product lines, as well as an increase in our HCT/P products, primarily Trinity® Evolution.

Domestic Sales by Market Sector:

 

(US$ in thousands)

   2010      2009      Growth  

Spine

   $ 172,547       $ 158,908             9

Orthopedics

     55,674         51,795         7
                          

Total

   $ 228,221       $ 210,703         8
                          

Spinal Implants and Biologics

Net sales in Spinal Implants and Biologics increased $11.8 million to $130.5 million in 2010 compared to $118.7 million in 2009, an increase of 10%. Spinal Implants and Biologics’ net sales represented 23% and 22% of our total net sales in 2010 and 2009, respectively. The increase in sales was primarily related to a 17% increase in our thoracolumbar products due primarily from an increase in the sales of our Firebird pedicle screw system, which had a full market release during the second quarter of 2009. Sales of our interbody and biologics products in 2010 increased by 10% and 4%, respectively, when compared to 2009, which was primarily due to our introduction of the Pillar SA interbody device during the third quarter of 2009 and continued strong

 

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sales of Trinity® Evolution. Full market release of our Trinity® Evolution stem cell-based allograft occurred on July 1, 2009. These sales increases were partially offset by a 1% sales decrease in our motion preservation products when compared to the same period in the prior year. All of Spinal Implants and Biologics’ sales are recorded in our Spine market sector.

Breg

Net sales in Breg decreased $0.5 million to $91.7 million in 2010 compared to $92.2 million in 2009, a decrease of 1%. Breg’s net sales represented 16% and 17% of our total net sales during both years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The decrease in Breg’s net sales was primarily due to a 2% decrease in sales of our Breg bracing products when compared to the prior year. All of Breg’s sales are recorded in our Sports Medicine market sector.

International

Net sales in International decreased 8% to $113.9 million in 2010 compared to $124.1 million in 2009. International’s net sales represented 20% and 23% of our total net sales in 2010 and 2009, respectively. During the first quarter of 2010, we disposed of our vascular operations. (See Gain on Sale of Non-Core Operations further below). In June 2010 and October 2009, we transitioned out of our agreements to distribute the Laryngeal Mask product in the United Kingdom and Italy, respectively. The impact of foreign currency increased International net sales by $0.4 million, when compared to 2009, principally due to the strengthening of certain currencies outside of Europe, partially offset by the weakening of the Euro against the U.S. dollar. On a constant currency basis, sales for our Orthopedics sector increased 11% in 2010 when compared to 2009. Within the Orthopedics sector, constant currency sales of our deformity correction and internal and external fixation products increased when compared to 2009. Offsetting these sales increases were reductions of sales in our Other Products sector, which include the vascular products and the Laryngeal Mask product. Sales in our Other Products sector decreased to $18.0 million in 2010 compared to $38.5 million in 2009.

International Sales by Market Sector:

 

(US$ in thousands)

   2010      2009      Growth
(Decline)
    Constant
Currency
Growth
(Decline)
 

Spine

   $ 3,352       $ 1,837         82     82

Orthopedics

     88,774         79,515         12     11

Sports Medicine

     3,798         4,178         (9 )%      (7 )% 

Other Products

     18,038         38,534         (53 )%      (54 )% 
                                  

Total

   $ 113,962       $ 124,064         (8 )%      (8 )% 
                                  

Sales by Market Sector:

Sales of our Spine products increased 10% to $306.4 million in 2010 compared to $279.4 million for 2009. Sales of our Spinal-Stim® and Cervical-Stim® products increased 9% and 8%, respectively, in 2010 compared to 2009. In addition, sales of our Spinal Implants and Biologics products increased 10% over the same period in the prior year primarily due to increased sales in our thoracolumbar and interbody products. Spine product sales were 54% and 51% of our total net sales in the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Sales of our Orthopedics products increased $13.1 million, or 10%, to $144.4 million in 2010 compared to $131.3 million in 2009. On a constant currency basis, sales increased 10% in 2010 compared to 2009 due to increased sales of our external fixation and deformity correction and HCT/P products. Orthopedic product sales were 26% and 24% of our total net sales for the year ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

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Sales of our Sports Medicine products decreased 1% to $95.5 million in 2010 compared to $96.4 million in 2009. The decrease in the sales of our Sports Medicine products was primarily due to a 2% reduction in sales of our Breg bracing products when compared to the same period in the prior year. Sports Medicine product sales were 17% and 18% of our total net sales in 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Sales of our Other Products, which include our non-core distributed product lines and our former vascular and Laryngeal Mask product lines, decreased 53% to $18.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 from $38.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. On a constant currency basis, sales of our Other Products decreased 53% in 2010 when compared to 2009. During the first quarter of 2010, we disposed of our vascular operations. (See Gain on Sale of Non-Core Operations further below). In June 2010 and October 2009, we transitioned out of our agreements to distribute the Laryngeal Mask product in the United Kingdom and Italy, respectively. Other Product sales were 3% and 7% of our total net sales in 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Gross Profit—Our gross profit increased 6% to $432.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to $407.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. Gross profit as a percent of net sales in 2010 was 76.7% compared to 74.6% in 2009. The increase in the gross profit is primarily due to the increased sales of our higher margin stimulation products and Spinal Implants and Biologics products. While we record 70% of the sales price of Trinity® Evolution allograft versus recording 100% of the sales price of the previous Trinity® product, we recognize a 100% gross profit margin from the marketing fees earned from the sales of this allograft, compared to an approximately 50% gross profit margin on our previous Trinity® product. This is due to the fact that we are not required to purchase inventory of Trinity® Evolution whereas, previously, we were required to purchase inventory of the previous Trinity® product and record the associated cost of sales.

Sales and Marketing Expense—Sales and marketing expense, which includes commissions, certain royalties and the bad debt provision, generally increases and decreases in relation to sales. Sales and marketing expense increased $15.0 million, or 7%, to $230.9 million in 2010 compared to $215.9 million in 2009. As a percent of sales, sales and marketing expense was 40.9% and 39.6% for 2010 and 2009, respectively. In 2010 sales and marketing expense included $1.6 million related to employee termination benefits associated with our internal reorganization which will streamline operations and lower future operating costs. Sales and marketing expense in 2010 also included $2.0 million related to a patent dispute settlement charge concerning the Trinity® Evolution allograft product.

General and Administrative Expense—General and administrative expense decreased $0.3 million, or 1%, in 2010 to $88.6 million compared to $88.9 million in 2009. In 2010 general and administrative expense included $2.0 million related to employee termination benefits associated with our internal reorganization which will streamline operations and is expected to lower future operating costs. In 2010 the Company recorded $9.2 million of legal expenses associated with the DOJ investigation of the bone growth stimulation industry and the Company’s internal investigation into compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act at its distribution subsidiary in Mexico. In 2010, we experienced a lower than normal share-based compensation expense related to stock options and awards, as we did not grant any in 2010. In 2009, we recorded a $3.6 million restructuring charge to consolidate substantially all of Spinal Implants and Biologics’ operations previously conducted in Wayne, NJ and Springfield, MA into the same facility housing our spine stimulation and U.S. orthopedics business in the Dallas, TX area. In addition, during the first quarter of 2009, we incurred $0.7 million of costs incurred in connection with a proxy contest. We also recorded an $0.8 million accrual during 2009 for potential royalties payable in connection with litigation. Legal expenses, that are unrelated to the matters above, totaled $8.3 million in 2010 compared to $12.1 million in 2009. General and administrative expense as a percent of sales was 15.7% in 2010 compared to 16.3% in 2009.

Research and Development Expense—Research and development expense decreased $1.1 million in 2010 to $30.4 million compared to $31.5 million in 2009. During 2010, we incurred $4.6 million in expenses related to research and development projects associated with our orthopedics business. During 2009, we incurred $3.9 million and $1.8 million in expenses primarily related to collaborative arrangements with the Musculoskeletal

 

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Transplant Foundation (“MTF”) and Intelligent Implant Systems, LLC (“IIS”), respectively. As a percent of sales, research and development expense was 5.4% in 2010 compared to 5.8% for the same period last year.

Amortization of Intangible Assets—Amortization of intangible assets decreased $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 to $5.8 million compared to $7.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Gain on Sale of Non-Core Operations—Included in the gain on sale of non-core operations is the net gain on sale of vascular operations, which was $12.0 million for 2010 and represented the gain on the sale of our vascular operations related to the A-V IMPULSE SYSTEM® and related accessories on March 8, 2010. No such gain was recorded in 2009.

Interest Expense—Interest expense was $17.2 million in 2010 compared to $24.8 million in 2009. The decrease was primarily the result of a lower year-over-year outstanding debt balance, a lower interest rate resulting from the payoff of the interest rate swap in June 2010 and the refinancing of our outstanding long-term debt facility in August 2010.

Loss on Refinancing of Senior Secured Term Loan—For the year ended December 31, 2010, we incurred $0.6 million of expense related to the write-off of the remaining capitalized debt placement costs associated with the former credit facility agreement.

Gain (Loss) on Interest Rate Swap—In June 2008, we entered into a three-year fully amortizable interest rate swap agreement (the “Swap”) with a notional amount of $150.0 million and an expiration date of June 30, 2011. During the fourth quarter of 2008, as a result of declining interest rates and a LIBOR floor in our former credit facility, the Swap was no longer deemed highly effective. Special hedge accounting was no longer applied and fair value adjustments were reported in current earnings. On June 29, 2010, we settled the Swap with the financial institution holder of the derivative instrument. For the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company recorded a gain of $1.3 million and $1.9 million, respectively, related to the change in the fair value of the Swap.

Other Expense, net—Other expense, net was $0.4 million in 2010 compared to $1.1 million in 2009. The decrease can be mainly attributed to the effect of foreign exchange. Several of our foreign subsidiaries hold trade payables or receivables in currencies (most notably the U.S. Dollar) other than their functional (local) currency which results in foreign exchange gains or losses when there is relative movement between those currencies.

Income Tax Benefit (Expense)—Our worldwide effective tax rate was 38.9% at December 31, 2010 and 2009. The 2010 effective tax rate was impacted primarily by the sale of vascular assets, losses in certain foreign jurisdictions, for which we receive no tax benefit and the mix of earnings among tax jurisdictions. The effective tax rate for 2009 was impacted by a mix of earnings among tax jurisdictions, state taxes and other items. We also incur losses in a number of foreign jurisdictions for which we do not currently recognize a tax benefit. We do not believe that it is more likely than not that we will generate sufficient future income in these jurisdictions to allow for the utilization of these losses before their expiration.

Net Income (Loss)—Net income in 2010 was $44.2 million, or $2.51 per basic share and $2.47 per diluted share, compared to net income of $24.5 million, or $1.43 per basic and $1.42 per diluted share for 2009. The weighted average number of basic common shares outstanding was 17,601,956 and 17,119,474 during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding was 17,913,545 and 17,202,943 during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

2009 Compared to 2008

Net sales increased 5% to $545.6 million in 2009 compared to $519.7 million in 2008. The impact of foreign currency decreased sales by $11.1 million in 2009 when compared to 2008.

 

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Sales by Business Segment:

Domestic

Net sales in Domestic increased to $210.7 million in 2009 compared to $188.8 million in 2008, an increase of 12%. Domestic’s net sales represented 38% and 36% of our total net sales in 2009 and 2008, respectively. The increase in Domestic’s net sales was partially the result of a 12% increase in sales in our Spine market sector, which was mainly driven by increased sales of our Spinal-Stim® and Cervical-Stim® products. The increase in Domestic’s net sales was also attributable to a 10% increase in our Orthopedics market sector which included a 14% increase in sales of Physio-Stim® products, an 8% increase in sales of our external fixation products as compared to 2008 and a 36% increase in sales of our HCT/P products, specifically Trinity® Evolution. During the year ended December 31, 2009, Domestic generated $1.5 million in revenues of Trinity® Evolution.

Domestic Sales by Market Sector:

 

(US$ in thousands)

   2009      2008      Growth  

Spine

   $ 158,908       $ 141,753         12

Orthopedics

     51,795         47,054             10
                          

Total

   $ 210,703       $ 188,807         12
                          

Spinal Implants and Biologics

Net sales in Spinal Implants and Biologics increased $9.7 million to $118.7 million in 2009 compared to $109.0 million in 2008, an increase of 9%. Spinal Implants and Biologics’ net sales represented 22% and 21% of our total net sales in 2009 and 2008, respectively. The increase in sales was primarily related to a 16% increase in our thoracolumbar product sales due to the introduction of the new Firebird pedicle screw system during the second quarter of 2009. Sales of our interbody and cervical products in 2009 increased by 4% and 10%, respectively, when compared to 2008. These sales increases were partially offset by a 4% sales decrease in our biologics products when compared to the same period last year as a result of our replacement of the Trinity® product line with Trinity® Evolution. Although biologics sales decreased, the quantity of product sold increased in 2009 compared to 2008 because, under the terms of the agreement, we recognized marketing fees of 70% of the end-user sales price of Trinity® Evolution compared to 100% of the end-user sales price of Trinity®. All of Spinal Implants and Biologics’ sales are recorded in our Spine market sector.

Breg

Net sales in Breg increased $2.7 million to $92.2 million in 2009 compared to $89.5 million in 2008, an increase of 3%. Breg’s net sales represented 17% of our total net sales during both years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008. Net sales in Breg would have been $93.7 million in 2009, or an increase of 5% compared to 2008, had it not been for a reclassification of certain commissions which are reflected as a reduction of revenue, but were originally recorded in operating expenses. The increase in Breg’s net sales was primarily due to an 8% increase in sales of our Breg bracing products when compared to the prior year, primarily as a result of the sales of our new products which include spine bracing. Further, sales of our cold therapy products increased 6% in 2009 compared to 2008 which is due to the recent introduction of our Kodiak® cold therapy products. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in sales of our pain therapy products as a result of the sale of operations related to our Pain Care® line of ambulatory infusion pumps during March 2008. All of Breg’s sales are recorded in our Sports Medicine market sector.

International

Net sales in International decreased 6% to $124.1 million in 2009 compared to $132.4 million in 2008. International’s net sales represented 23% and 26% of our total net sales in 2009 and 2008, respectively. The

 

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impact of foreign currency decreased International net sales by $10.9 million when compared to 2008. On a constant currency basis, Spine and Orthopedics sales in our International segment increased 22% and 5%, respectively, in 2009 when compared to 2008. Within the Orthopedics sector, external fixation, stimulation, and deformity correction sales increased 7%, 20% and 23%, respectively, on a constant currency basis, in 2009 when compared to 2008. Sales in Other distributed products, which consist of the A-V® Impulse System and the Laryngeal Mask, decreased 4% on a constant currency basis when compared to 2008.

International Sales by Market Sector:

 

(US$ in thousands)

   2009      2008      Growth
(Decline)
    Constant
Currency
Growth
(Decline)
 

Spine

   $ 1,837       $ 1,520             21     22

Orthopedics

     79,515         82,052         (3 )%      5

Sports Medicine

     4,178         5,050         (17 )%      (8 )% 

Other Products

     38,534         43,802         (12 )%      (4 )% 
                                  

Total

   $ 124,064       $ 132,424         (6 )%          2
                                  

Sales by Market Sector:

Sales of our Spine products increased 11% to $279.4 million in 2009 compared to $252.2 million for 2008. Sales of our Cervical-Stim® and Spinal-Stim® products increased 10% and 14%, respectively, in 2009 compared to 2008. In addition, sales of our Spinal Implants and Biologics products increased 9% over the same period in the prior year primarily due to sales in our Biologics products which included sales from the full market release of the Trinity® Evolution stem cell-based allograft. Spine product sales were 51% and 49% of our total net sales in the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Sales of our Orthopedics products increased $2.2 million to $131.3 million in 2009 compared to $129.1 million in 2008. On a constant currency basis, sales increased 7% in 2009 compared to 2008 due to increased sales of our Physio-Stim®, external fixation, and deformity correction products. Orthopedic product sales were 24% and 25% of our total net sales for the year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Sales of our Sports Medicine products increased 2% to $96.4 million in 2009 compared to $94.5 million in 2008. As previously mentioned, net sales of our Sports Medicine products would have increased 4% to $97.9 million in 2009 compared to 2008 had it not been for a revenue recognition change netting commission expenses against gross revenues at one of our distributors. As discussed above, the increase of $1.8 million is primarily due to sales of our Breg bracing and cold therapy products, offset by a decrease in our pain therapy products, which is principally attributable to the sale of operations relating to our Pain Care® line in March 2008. Sports Medicine product sales were 18% of our total net sales in 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Sales of our Other Products, which include the sales of our A-V Impulse System®, and our Laryngeal Mask as well as our Woman’s Care line, decreased 12% to $38.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 from $43.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. On a constant currency basis, sales of our Other Products decreased 4% in 2009 when compared to 2008. During 2009, we distributed the Laryngeal Mask product in the United Kingdom and Italy. In October 2009, we transitioned out of our agreement to distribute the Laryngeal Mask product in Italy. Other Product sales were 7% and 8% of our total net sales in 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Gross Profit—Our gross profit increased 11% to $407.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to $367.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. Gross profit as a percent of net sales in 2009 was 74.6% compared to 70.7% in 2008. In the year ended December 31, 2008, due to reduced projections in revenue, distributor terminations, new products, and the replacement of one of our products with a successor

 

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product, the Company changed its estimates regarding the inventory allowance at Spinal Implants and Biologics, primarily based on estimated net realizable value using assumptions about future demand and market conditions. The change in estimate resulted in an increase in the reserve for obsolescence of approximately $10.9 million. In addition, the Company recorded approximately $0.6 million of expense related to Spinal Implants and Biologics instrumentation equipment, also as a result of the replacement of one of our products with a successor product. Gross profit, excluding the additional reserve recorded at Spinal Implants and Biologics was 73.0% for the year ended December 31, 2008. Excluding the negative impacts in the prior year, the increase in the gross profit is primarily due to the increased sales of higher margin stimulation products and Spinal Implants and Biologics products. The gross margin in the year ended December 31, 2009 was unfavorably impacted by a $1.8 million increase in our inventory reserve, which related primarily to the remaining supply of Trinity® allograft on hand at the expiration of the Company’s distribution agreement on June 30, 2009.

Sales and Marketing Expense—Sales and marketing expense, which includes commissions, certain royalties and the bad debt provision, generally increases and decreases in relation to sales. Sales and marketing expense increased $9.0 million, or 4%, to $215.9 million in 2009 compared to $206.9 million in 2008. As a percent of sales, sales and marketing expense was 39.6% and 39.8% for 2009 and 2008, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company recorded an increase in sales tax expenses of $1.6 million resulting from an audit that covered a period of 43 months.

General and Administrative Expense—General and administrative expense increased $7.1 million, or 9%, in 2009 to $88.9 million compared to $81.8 million in 2008. The increase is primarily due to a $3.6 million restructuring charge to consolidate substantially all of Blackstone’s operations previously conducted in Wayne, NJ and Springfield, MA into the same facility housing its spine stimulation and U.S. orthopedics business in the Dallas, TX area. In addition, the Company also incurred legal and other professional services associated with a proxy contest with one of the Company’s shareholders. The contest was settled in a special shareholder meeting on April 2, 2009. As a result, the Company does not anticipate incurring any expenses associated with this matter going forward. The Company also recorded a $0.8 million accrual during 2009 for potential royalties payable in connection with litigation. In addition, general and administrative expenses were also higher compared with the prior year due to infrastructure increases in some faster growing international markets. General and administrative expense as a percent of sales was 16.3% in 2009 compared to 15.7% in 2008.

Research and Development Expense—Research and development expense increased $0.6 million in 2009 to $31.5 million compared to $30.8 million in 2008. During 2009, we incurred research and development expenses on two collaborative arrangements with MTF and IIS. We incurred approximately $3.9 million and $1.8 million in expenses as a result of our collaboration with MTF and IIS, respectively, in 2009. As a percent of sales, research and development expense was 5.8% in 2009 compared to 5.9%.

Amortization of Intangible Assets—Amortization of intangible assets decreased $10.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 to $7.0 million compared to $17.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. This decrease is primarily attributed to the impairment of $105.7 million of definite-lived intangible assets at Blackstone during 2008.

Impairment of Goodwill and Certain Intangible Assets—During the year ended December 31, 2008, we incurred $289.5 million of expense related to the impairment of goodwill and certain intangible assets. As part of our debt refinancing completed in September 2008, five year projections were prepared for Blackstone. These projections provided an indication of impairment. Accordingly, an interim impairment test was performed in accordance with ASC Topic 350—“Intangibles—Goodwill and Other”. Based on this interim test, we determined that the Blackstone trademark, an indefinite-lived intangible asset, was impaired by $57.0 million. In addition, we determined that the carrying amount of goodwill related to Blackstone exceeded its implied fair value, and recognized a goodwill impairment loss of $126.9 million.

We determined that a triggering event had occurred during the year ended December 31, 2008 with respect to the definite-lived intangible assets at Blackstone. We compared the expected cash flows to be generated by the

 

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definite lived intangible on an undiscounted basis to the carrying value of the intangible asset. We determined the carrying value exceeded the undiscounted cash flow and impaired the distribution network and technologies at Blackstone to the fair value which resulted in an impairment charge of $105.7 million.

Gain on Sale of Non-Core Operations—Included in the gain on sale of non-core operations is the sale of Pain Care® operations which was $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 and represented the gain on the sale of operations related to our Pain Care® line of ambulatory infusion pumps during March 2008. No such gain was recorded in the same period of 2009.

Interest Expense—Interest expense was $24.8 million in 2009 compared to $20.2 million in 2008. Included in interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 was $23.5 million and $18.2 million related to the senior secured term loan used to finance the Blackstone acquisition. Although our overall senior secured term loan balance decreased in 2009 when compared 2008, our effective interest rate in 2009 increased which is generating the additional interest expense.

Loss on Refinancing of Senior Secured Term Loan—In the year ended December 31, 2008, we incurred $5.7 million of expense related to the refinancing of the senior secured term loan used to finance the Blackstone acquisition. This included a $3.7 million non-cash write-off of previously capitalized debt placement costs and $2.0 million of fees associated with the amendment. We anticipated that we would not remain in compliance with certain financial covenants included in the senior secured credit facility and, consequently, negotiated an amendment of our financial covenants, among other things, with our lenders effective September 29, 2008.

Gain (Loss) on Interest Rate Swap—In June 2008, the Company entered into a three-year fully amortizable interest rate swap agreement (the “Swap”) with a notional amount of $150.0 million and an expiration date of June 30, 2011. During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company recognized in earnings an unrealized, non-cash loss of approximately $(8.0) million when it was determined that the Swap was no longer deemed highly effective. Therefore, special hedge accounting is no longer applied and mark-to-market adjustments are required to be reported in current earnings through the expiration of the swap in June 2011. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company recorded a gain of $1.9 million on the consolidated statements of operations.

Other Expense, net—Other expense, net was $1.1 million in 2009 compared to $4.7 million in 2008. The decrease can be mainly attributed to the effect of foreign exchange. During the year ended December 31, 2008, we recorded foreign exchange losses of $2.7 million principally as a result of a strengthening of the U.S. Dollar against various foreign currencies including the Euro, Pound, Peso and Brazilian Real. Several of our foreign subsidiaries hold trade payables or receivables in currencies (most notably the U.S. Dollar) other than their functional (local) currency which results in foreign exchange gains or losses when there is relative movement between those currencies.

Income Tax Benefit (Expense)—Our worldwide effective tax rate was 38.9% at December 31, 2009 as compared to a tax benefit of 22.5% as of December 31, 2008. The 2009 effective tax rate is impacted by a mix of earnings among tax jurisdictions, state taxes and other items. The effective tax rate for 2008 reflected discrete items resulting from the impairment of goodwill for which we receive no tax benefit, the sale of operations related to our Pain Care® operations and the lapse of an ASC Topic 740—“Income Taxes” reserve item. Excluding these discrete items, our effective tax rate for 2008 would have been 36.5%. The increase in the effective tax rate in 2009 as compared to 2008, excluding discrete items, primarily relates to a benefit recorded in 2008 related to the release of tax reserves as a result of the expiration of the statute of limitations.

Net Income (Loss)—Net income in 2009 was $24.5 million, or $1.43 per basic share and $1.42 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $(228.6) million, or $(13.37) per basic and diluted share for 2008. The weighted average number of basic common shares outstanding was 17,119,474 and 17,095,416 during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding was 17,202,943 and 17,095,416 during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2010 were $36.5 million, of which $22.9 million is subject to certain restrictions under the senior secured credit agreement described below. This compares to cash and cash equivalents of $25.0 million at December 31, 2009, of which $11.6 million was subject to certain restrictions under the senior secured credit agreement described below.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $42.5 million in 2010 compared to $50.6 million in 2009, a decrease of $8.1 million. Net cash provided by operating activities is comprised of net income, non-cash items (including depreciation and amortization, provision for doubtful accounts, inventory obsolescence, share-based compensation, deferred taxes, and the gain on sale of non-core operations) and changes in working capital. Net income increased $19.7 million to a net income of $44.2 million in 2010 compared to net income of $24.5 million in 2009. Non-cash items for 2010 decreased $15.0 million to $30.7 million compared to $45.7 in 2009 primarily as a result of the net gain on sale of non-core operations of $12.0 million and an increase in the tax benefit on non-qualified stock options of $2.2 million, offset by a decrease in deferred taxes of $4.6 million. Working capital accounts consumed $32.4 million of cash in 2010 compared to $19.6 million in 2009. The higher consumption of cash to support working capital in the 2010 period can be attributed to changes in other current liabilities of $19.8 million (which includes the effect on cash of $4.8 million to settle our interest rate swap), prepaid expenses and other current assets of $9.3 million and accounts payable of $1.6 million, which was partially offset by improvements in the change in inventory of $8.7 million and trade accounts receivable of $9.1 million. When excluding the gain on the sale of non-core operations (which is a non-cash item), net income increased $7.7 million for the year ended 2010 versus the comparable period in the prior year. Overall performance indicators for our two primary working capital accounts, accounts receivable and inventory, reflect days sales in receivables of 86 days at December 31, 2010 compared to 83 days at December 31, 2009 and inventory turns of 1.5 times at December 31, 2010 compared to 1.6 times at December 31, 2009. Also included in cash used in working capital in 2010 were $2.3 million in costs related to matters occurring at Blackstone prior to the acquisition and for which we are seeking reimbursement from the applicable escrow fund.

Net cash used in investing activities was $2.1 million in 2010 compared to $22.3 million in 2009. During the first quarter of 2010, we sold our vascular operations with cash proceeds of $24.2 million. During the year ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, we invested $26.4 million and $22.0 million in capital expenditures, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2009, we made a loan in connection with our collaborative arrangement with MTF for $2.0 million, and we sold our remaining ownership in OPED AG, a German based bracing company, for net proceeds of $1.7 million.

Net cash used in financing activities was $40.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $30.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. During 2010, we repaid approximately $36.3 million against the principal on our senior secured term loan compared to $28.3 million in 2009. Our restricted cash balance increased $11.3 million compared to $0.6 million in 2009. During 2010, we paid $4.3 million of debt issuance costs in conjunction with our new credit facility entered into on August 30, 2010. During the year ended December 31, 2010, we received proceeds of $7.9 million from the issuance of 584,935 shares of our common stock related to stock purchase plan issuances and stock option exercises. During the year ended December 31, 2009, we used approximately $1.1 million to purchase an additional 32% minority interest in our Breg distributor in Germany.

On August 30, 2010, our wholly-owned U.S. holding company subsidiary, Orthofix Holdings, Inc. (“Orthofix Holdings”) entered into a Credit Agreement (the “New Credit Agreement”) with certain of our domestic direct and indirect subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, RBS Citizens, N.A., as Syndication Agent, and certain lender parties thereto. In connection with the execution by Orthofix Holdings and the Guarantors of the New Credit Agreement, the previously existing credit agreement, dated as of September 22, 2006 and as subsequently amended on September 29, 2008 and February 24, 2010, among Orthofix Holdings, the Company, and certain subsidiaries, the several banks and other financial institutions parties, and Wachovia Bank, National Association, was terminated and all term loan obligations existing were repaid in full using proceeds of the New Credit Agreement.

 

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The New Credit Agreement provides for a five year, $200.0 million secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), and a five year, $100.0 million secured term loan facility (the “Term Loan Facility”, and together with the Revolving Credit Facility, the “Credit Facilities”). The full $100.0 million Term Loan Facility and approximately $132.4 million of the Revolving Credit Facility were drawn on August 30, 2010. These proceeds were used to repay amounts owed in connection with the termination of the previous credit agreement, as well as certain fees related to the establishment of the New Credit Agreement. Orthofix Holdings has the ability to increase the amount of the Credit Facilities by an aggregate amount of up to $50.0 million upon satisfaction of certain conditions. These increased borrowings may be provided either by one or more existing lenders upon Orthofix Holdings obtaining the agreement of such lenders to increase commitments or by new lenders being added to the Credit Facilities.

As of December 31, 2010, we had $98.8 million outstanding under the Term Loan Facility and $117.4 million outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility. Borrowings under the Credit Facilities bear interest at a floating rate, which is, at Orthofix Holdings’ option, either the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus an applicable margin or a base rate (as defined in the New Credit Agreement) plus an applicable margin (in each case subject to adjustment based on financial ratios). Such applicable margin will be up to 3.25% for LIBOR borrowings and up to 2.25% for base rate borrowings depending upon a measurement of the consolidated leverage ratio with respect to the immediately preceding four fiscal quarters. The principal amount of the Term Loan Facility amortizes at the rate of 5%, 15%, 25%, 25% and 30% in year 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively. Amortization payments are due quarterly and began with the quarter ended December 31, 2010.

The aggregate maturities of long-term debt after December 31, 2010 are as follows: 2011—$7.5 million, 2012—$17.5 million, 2013—$25.0 million 2014—$26.3 million and 2015—$139.9 million.

As of December 31, 2010, the entire Term Loan Facility of $98.8 million is at the LIBOR rate plus a margin of 3.00%. In addition, as of December 31, 2010, $100.0 million of the Revolving Credit Facility is at the LIBOR rate plus a margin of 3.00% and the remaining $17.4 million of the Revolving Credit Facility is at a base rate (as defined in the New Credit Agreement) plus a margin of 2.00%. The effective interest rate on the Credit Facilities as of December 31, 2010 was 3.4% and the effective interest rate, including the impact of the interest rate swap, on the previously existing credit agreement as of December 31, 2009 was 8.8%.

Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, which may be made in the future, will be used for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes of Orthofix Holdings and its subsidiaries. The Guarantors have guaranteed repayment of Orthofix Holdings’ obligations under the New Credit Agreement. The obligations of Orthofix Holdings and each of the Guarantors with respect to the Credit Facilities are secured by a pledge of substantially all of the assets of Orthofix Holdings and each of the Guarantors.

The New Credit Agreement requires Orthofix Holdings and the Company to comply with leverage and fixed charge coverage ratios on a consolidated basis. We were in compliance with these financial covenants as measured at December 31, 2010. As defined in the New Credit Agreement, our leverage ratio cannot exceed 3.25 and our fixed charge ratio must be greater than or equal to 1.25. At December 31, 2010, our leverage and fixed charge ratios were 2.1 and 2.4, respectively. The New Credit Agreement contains affirmative and negative covenants, including limitations on additional debt, liens, investments and acquisitions. The New Credit Agreement also includes events of default customary for facilities of this type. A breach of any of these covenants could result in an event of default under the New Credit Agreement, which could permit acceleration of the debt payments under the facility.

As defined in the New Credit Agreement, the leverage ratio we cannot exceed is 3.25 for the life of the agreement and the fixed charge coverage ratio must be greater or equal to 1.25 for the life of the agreement. Based on our projected earnings, we believe that we should be able to meet these financial covenants in future fiscal quarters, however, there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so, and failure to do so could result in an event of default under the credit agreement, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position.

 

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Certain of our subsidiaries have restrictions on their ability to pay dividends or make intercompany loan advances pursuant to our Credit Facilities. The net assets of Orthofix Holdings and its subsidiaries are restricted for distributions to the parent company. Our domestic subsidiaries, as parties to the credit agreement, have access to these net assets for operational purposes. The amount of restricted net assets of Orthofix Holdings and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010 is $178.5 million compared to $143.1 million at December 31, 2009. In addition, the New Credit Agreement restricts us and our subsidiaries that are not parties to the credit facility from access to cash held by Orthofix Holdings and its subsidiaries. All credit party subsidiaries have access to this cash for operational and debt repayment purposes. The amount of our restricted cash as of December 31, 2010 is $22.9 million compared to $11.6 million at December 31, 2009.

In conjunction with obtaining the Credit Facilities, we incurred debt issuance costs of $4.3 million which are being amortized using the effective interest method over the life of the Credit Facilities. The remaining balance of $0.6 million in capitalized debt issuance costs related to the previous credit agreement that was included in Other Long-term Assets was expensed as a result of the settlement and payoff of this agreement. At December 31, 2010, $3.9 million of debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization, are included in Other Long-term Assets.

At December 31, 2010, we had outstanding borrowings of €2.9 million ($3.8 million) and unused available lines of credit of approximately €4.4 million ($5.9 million) under a line of credit established in Italy to finance the working capital of our Italian operations. The terms of the line of credit give us the option to borrow amounts in Italy at rates determined at the time of borrowing.

In the fourth quarter of 2008, as part of our strategic plan to strengthen the business, we initiated a restructuring plan to improve operations and reduce costs at Blackstone. The plan involved the consolidation of substantially all of Blackstone’s operations previously conducted in Wayne, NJ and Springfield, MA into the same facility housing its spine stimulation and U.S. orthopedics business in the Dallas, TX area. We completed the restructuring and consolidation in the second quarter of 2010 and recognized a total restructuring expense of $3.6 million.

In the fourth quarter of 2010, we initiated a reorganization plan to further align and streamline operations and lower operating costs within its Spine, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine global business units. Employee severance payments will extend through the third quarter of 2011. During the year ended December 31, 2010, we recorded restructuring charges of $3.6 million, which were related to employee severance costs. No further costs are anticipated. Approximately $1.9 million, $1.3 million and $0.4 million of restructuring costs were classified in our International, Domestic and Spinal Implants and Biologics segments, respectively. These restructuring costs were recorded in the year ended December 31, 2010 consolidated statements of operations with $1.6 million in selling and marketing and $2.0 million in general and administrative expense.

The following table presents changes in the restructuring liability, which is included within Other Current Liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009:

 

(US$ in thousands)

   Severance     Abandoned
Assets
    Total  

Balance at December 31, 2008

   $ 548      $ —        $ 548   

Charges under 2008 plan

     2,565        1,020        3,585   

Cash Payments

     (1,287     —          (1,287

Non-cash Items

     —          (1,020     (1,020
                        

Balance at December 31, 2009

     1,826        —          1,826   

Charges under 2010 plan

     3,550        —          3,550   

Cash Payments

     (3,738     —          (3,738
                        

Balance at December 31, 2010

   $ 1,638      $ —        $ 1,638   
                        

 

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On March 8, 2010, we entered into an asset purchase agreement (the “APA”) in which we agreed to sell substantially all of the assets of our vascular operations related to the A-V IMPULSE SYSTEM® and related accessories (including finished goods inventory and tangible assets). At the closing, we received payment of approximately $27.7 million, which amount includes the estimated value of certain finished goods inventory conveyed at the closing, and remains subject to post-closing verification.

Pursuant to the APA, we agreed to enter into certain transition arrangements at the closing, including (i) a transition services agreement pursuant to which, among other things, we would continue to provide operational support with respect to the transferred assets in certain jurisdictions for a period of up to five months, and (ii) two separate supply agreements pursuant to which, among other things, we would provide manufacturing and logistics services with respect to certain ImPads for a period of two years and provide other products for a period of 90 days. During the second and third quarters of 2010, we completed the transition services agreement and one of the supply agreements (which supplies the other products). We also agreed to enter into a five-year noncompetition agreement at closing with respect to the business of the assets being transferred. Due to the continuing contractual involvement of these agreements, the transaction has not been presented in discontinued operations.

The following table presents the value of the asset disposition, the cash purchase price, cash proceeds received, net of certain litigation costs and the gain on the sale of the vascular operations as shown in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

(US$ in thousands)

   Total  

Cash proceeds, net of litigation (1)

   $ 24,215   

Less:

  

Transaction related expenses

     2,253   

Inventory and property, plant and equipment

     2,369   

Goodwill and intangible assets

     7,574   
        

Gain on sale of vascular operations

     12,019   

Income tax expense

     3,498   
        

Gain on sale of vascular operations, net of taxes

   $ 8,521   
        

 

(1) In conjunction with the sale of the vascular operations, we settled an outstanding litigation claim by the former patent holders for $3.5 million.

Contractual Obligations

The following chart sets forth our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2010:

 

Contractual Obligations

   Payments Due by Period  

(US$ in thousands)

   Total      2011      2012-2014      2015-2016      2017 and
thereafter
 

Senior secured term loan

   $ 216,195       $ 7,500       $ 68,750       $ 139,945       $ —     

Estimated interest on senior secured term loan (1)

     27,280         6,870         17,278         3,132         —     

Purchase obligations (2)

     1,417         1,000         417         —           —     

Operating leases

     23,342         5,162         10,010         4,208         3,962   
                                            

Total

   $ 268,234       $ 20,532       $ 96,455       $ 147,285       $ 3,962   
                                            

 

(1) Estimated interest on senior secured term loan assumes payments are made in accordance with the scheduled payments as defined in the agreement. Interest payments are estimated using rates in effect at December 31, 2010.
(2) In addition to the unconditional purchase obligations stated above, we also have inventory purchase agreements that, if terminated, would require us to purchase an additional $1.8 million of inventory.

 

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We may be required to make cash outlays related to our unrecognized tax benefits. However, due to the uncertainty of the timing of future cash flows associated with our unrecognized tax benefits, we are unable to make reasonably reliable estimates of the period of cash settlement, if any, with the respective taxing authorities. Accordingly, unrecognized tax benefits of $0.6 million as of December 31, 2010 have been excluded from the contractual obligations table above. For further information on unrecognized tax benefits, see Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K.

Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31, 2010, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, cash flows, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to investors.

 

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Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to certain market risks as part of our ongoing business operations. Primary exposures include changes in interest rates and foreign currency fluctuations. These exposures can vary sales, cost of sales, costs of operations and the cost of financing and yields on cash and short-term investments. We use derivative financial instruments, where appropriate, to manage these risks. However, our risk management policy does not allow us to hedge positions we do not hold nor do we enter into derivative or other financial investments for trading or speculative purposes. As of December 31, 2010, we had a currency swap in place to minimize foreign currency exchange risk related to a €40.7 million intercompany note.

We are exposed to interest rate risk in connection with our Term Loan Facility and Revolving Credit Facility, which bear interest at floating rates based on LIBOR plus an applicable borrowing margin or at a base rate (as defined in the New Credit Agreement) plus an applicable borrowing margin. Therefore, interest rate changes generally do not affect the fair market value of the debt, but do impact future earnings and cash flows, assuming other factors are held constant.

As of December 31, 2010, the entire Term Loan Facility of $98.8 million is at the LIBOR rate plus a margin of 3.00%. As of December 31, 2010, $100.0 million of the Revolving Credit Facility is at the LIBOR rate plus a margin of 3.00% and the remaining $17.4 million of the Revolving Credit Facility is at a base rate (as defined in the New Credit Agreement) plus a margin of 2.00%. These margins are adjusted based upon the measurement of the consolidated leverage ratio of the Company and its subsidiaries with respect to the immediately preceding four fiscal quarters. As of December 31, 2010, our effective interest rate on our Credit Facilities was 3.4%. Based on the balance outstanding under the Credit Facilities as of December 31, 2010, an immediate change of one percentage point in the applicable interest rate on the Term Loan Facility and Revolving Credit Facility would cause a change in interest expense of approximately $2.2 million annually.

Our foreign currency exposure results from fluctuating currency exchange rates, primarily the U.S. Dollar against the Euro, Great Britain Pound, Mexican Peso and Brazilian Real. We are subject to cost of goods currency exposure when we produce products in foreign currencies such as the Euro or Great Britain Pound and sell those products in U.S. Dollars. We are subject to transactional currency exposures when foreign subsidiaries (or the Company itself) enter into transactions denominated in a currency other than their functional currency. As of December 31, 2010, we had an un-hedged intercompany receivable denominated in Euro of approximately €23.2 million ($31.0 million). We recorded a foreign currency loss during the year ended December 31, 2010 of $2.0 million related to this un-hedged long-term intercompany balance in accumulated other comprehensive income during 2010, which resulted from the weakening of the Euro against the U.S. dollar during the period. For the year ended December 31, 2010, we recorded a foreign currency loss of $0.1 million on the statement of operations resulting from gains and losses in foreign currency transactions.

We also are subject to currency exposure from translating the results of our global operations into the U.S. dollar at exchange rates that have fluctuated from the beginning of the period. The U.S. dollar equivalent of international sales denominated in foreign currencies was favorably impacted during the year ended December 31, 2010 by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations with the weakening of the U.S. dollar against the local foreign currency during this period in certain countries outside of Europe, partially offset by the effect of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Euro. The U.S. dollar equivalent of international sales denominated in foreign currencies was unfavorably impacted during the year ended December 31, 2009 by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations with the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the local foreign currency during this period. As we continue to distribute and manufacture our products in selected foreign countries, we expect that future sales and costs associated with our activities in these markets will continue to be denominated in the applicable foreign currencies, which could cause currency fluctuations to materially impact our operating results.

 

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

See “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” on page F-1 of this Form 10-K.

 

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

 

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance, we performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a—15(e) or 15d—15 (e)) as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-K. Based upon that evaluation, our President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-K, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the year ended December 31, 2010 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Our management’s assessment regarding the Company’s internal control over financial reporting can be found immediately prior to the financial statements in a section entitled “Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting” in this Form 10-K.

 

Item 9B. Other Information

Not applicable.

 

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PART III

Information required by Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of Form 10-K is omitted from this annual report and will be filed in a definitive proxy statement or by an amendment to this annual report not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this annual report.

 

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

We will provide information that is responsive to this Item 10 regarding executive compensation in our definitive proxy statement or in an amendment to this annual report not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this annual report, in either case under the caption “Information About Directors,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and others possibly elsewhere therein. That information is incorporated in this Item 10 by reference.

 

Item 11. Executive Compensation

We will provide information that is responsive to this Item 11 regarding executive compensation in our definitive proxy statement or in an amendment to this annual report not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this annual report, in either case under the caption “Executive Compensation,” and possibly elsewhere therein. That information is incorporated in this Item 11 by reference.

 

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

We will provide information that is responsive to this Item 12 regarding ownership of our securities by certain beneficial owners and our directors and executive officers, as well as information with respect to our equity compensation plans, in our definitive proxy statement or in an amendment to this annual report not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this annual report, in either case under the captions “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholders” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information,” and possibly elsewhere therein. That information is incorporated in this Item 12 by reference.

 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

We will provide information that is responsive to this Item 13 regarding transactions with related parties and director independence in our definitive proxy statement or in an amendment to this annual report not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this annual report, in either case under the caption “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions,” and possibly elsewhere therein. That information is incorporated in this Item 13 by reference.

 

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

We will provide information that is responsive to this Item 14 regarding principal accountant fees and services in our definitive proxy statement or in an amendment to this annual report not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this annual report, in either case under the caption “Principal Accountant Fees and Services,” and possibly elsewhere therein. That information is incorporated in this Item 14 by reference.

 

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PART IV

 

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

(a) Documents filed as part of report on Form 10-K

The following documents are filed as part of this report on Form 10-K:

 

  1. Financial Statements

See “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” on page F-1 of this Form 10-K.

 

  2. Financial Statement Schedules

See “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” on page F-1 of this Form 10-K.

 

  3. Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

  2.1      Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 4, 2006, among Orthofix International N.V., Orthofix Holdings, Inc., New Era Medical Limited, Blackstone Medical, Inc. and William G. Lyons, III, as Equityholders’ Representative (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed August 7, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference).
  2.2      Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 8, 2010, by and between Tyco Healthcare Group LP d/b/a Covidien, Covidien AG, Mallinckrodt do Brasil Ltda, Kendall de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Novamedix Limited, Novamedix Distribution Limited, Novamedix Services Limited, Promeca S.A. de C.V., Orthofix do Brasil, Orthofix S.r.l., Orthofix S.A., Intavent Orthofix Limited, Breg Mexico S. de R.I. de CV, and Implantes y Sistemas Medicos, Inc. (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed March 9, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).
  3.1      Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F dated June 29, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference).
  3.2      Articles of Association of the Company as amended (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.1      Credit Agreement, dated as of August 30, 2010, among Orthofix Holdings, Inc., Orthofix International N.V. and certain domestic subsidiaries of Orthofix International N.V., the several banks and other financial institutions as may from time to time become parties thereunder, and JPMorgan Chase, N.A. (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed August 31, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.2+    Matrix Commercialization Collaboration Agreement, entered into July 24, 2008, by and between Orthofix Holdings, Inc. and Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.3*    Amendment No. 1 to Matrix Commercialization Collaboration Agreement, dated as of December 15, 2010, by and between Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation, Inc. and Orthofix Holdings, Inc.
10.4      Orthofix International N.V. Amended and Restated Stock Purchase Plan, as amended (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.5      Orthofix International N.V. Amended and Restated 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

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Exhibit
Number

  

Description

10.6        Orthofix International N.V. Staff Share Option Plan, as amended through April 22, 2003 (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.7        Amended and Restated Orthofix Deferred Compensation Plan (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed January 7, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.8        Form of Employee Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (post-2008 grants) (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed July 7, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.9        Form of Non-Employee Director Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (post-2008 grants) (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed July 7, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.10      Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement under the Orthofix International N.V. Amended and Restated 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan (pre-2009 grants—vesting over 3 years) (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed June 20, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.11      Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement under the Orthofix International N.V. Amended and Restated 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan (pre-2009 grants—3 year cliff vesting) (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed June 20, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.12      Form of Restricted Stock Grant Agreement under the Orthofix International N.V. Amended and Restated 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan (pre-2011 grants—vesting over 3 years) (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed June 20, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.13*    Form of Restricted Stock Grant Agreement under the Orthofix International N.V. Amended and Restated 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan (post-2010 grants—vesting over 3 years).
10.14      Form of Restricted Stock Grant Agreement under the Orthofix International N.V. Amended and Restated 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan (3 year cliff vesting) (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed June 20, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.15      Inducement Grant Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement between Orthofix International N.V. and Robert S. Vaters (filed as an exhibit to the current report on Form 8-K of Orthofix International N.V dated September 10, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.16      Inducement Stock Option Agreement between Orthofix International N.V. and Kevin L. Unger, dated August 17, 2009 (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed August 17, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.17      Second Amended and Restated Performance Accelerated Stock Options Agreement between Orthofix International N.V. and Bradley R. Mason dated October 14, 2008 (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed October 15, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.18      Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement between Orthofix International N.V. and Bradley R. Mason dated October 14, 2008 (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed October 15, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.19      Form of Award Letter Regarding Special Retention Cash Bonus Award (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K/A filed on February 23, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

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Exhibit
Number

  

Description

10.20*    Description of Director Compensation Policy.
10.21      Form of Indemnity Agreement (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.22      Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, entered into and effective as of July 1, 2009, by and between Orthofix Inc. and Alan W. Milinazzo (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed July 7, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.23      Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated July 30, 2009, by and between Orthofix Inc. and Alan W. Milinazzo (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.24      Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, entered into and effective as of July 1, 2009, by and between Orthofix Inc. and Robert S. Vaters (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed July 7, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.25      Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated July 30, 2009, by and between Orthofix Inc. and Robert S. Vaters (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.26      Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, entered into and effective as of July 28, 2010, by and between Orthofix Inc. and Robert S. Vaters (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed August 3, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.27      Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, entered into and effective as of July 1, 2009, by and between Orthofix Inc. and Michael M. Finegan (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed July 7, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.28      Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated August 4, 2009, by and between Orthofix Inc. and Michael M. Finegan (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.29      Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, entered into on November 16, 2009, by and between Breg Inc. and Brad Lee (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.30*    Amended and Restate Employment Agreement, entered into on February 11, 2011, by and between Breg, Inc. and Brad Lee.
10.31*    Employment Agreement, entered into on December 9, 2010, by and between Orthofix Inc. and Jeffrey M. Schumm.
10.32      Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, entered into on September 4, 2009, by and between Orthofix Inc. and Michael Simpson (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed September 11, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.33      Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, entered into on July 28, 2010, by and between Orthofix Inc. and Michael Simpson (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed August 3, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.34      Separation Letter Agreement, dated February 7, 2011, between Orthofix Inc. and Michael Simpson (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on February 10, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.35      Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated December 6, 2007, between Orthofix Inc. and Raymond C. Kolls (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, as amended, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

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Exhibit
Number

  

Description

10.36    Letter Agreement, dated July 25, 2009, between Orthofix Inc. and Raymond C. Kolls (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.37    Letter Agreement, dated January 29, 2010, between Orthofix Inc. and Raymond C. Kolls (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.38    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, entered into and effective as of July 1, 2009, by and between Orthofix Inc. and Bradley R. Mason (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed July 7, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.39    Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated July 31, 2009, by and between Orthofix Inc. and Bradley R. Mason (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.40    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, entered into on October 23, 2009 and effective as of November 1, 2009, by and between Orthofix Inc. and Bradley R. Mason (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.41    Form of Amendment to Stock Option Agreements (for Alan W. Milinazzo, Robert S. Vaters, Bradley R. Mason, Michael M. Finegan and Michael Simpson) (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed July 7, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.42    Separation Letter Agreement, dated January 10, 2011, between Orthofix Inc. and Eric Brown (filed as an exhibit to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed January 14, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).
21.1*    List of Subsidiaries.
23.1*    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
31.1*    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
31.2*    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
32.1*    Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
32.2*    Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

 

* Filed herewith.
+ Certain confidential portions of this exhibit were omitted by means of redacting a portion of the text. This exhibit has been filed separately with the Secretary of the Commission without redactions pursuant to our Application Requesting Confidential Treatment under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

 

      ORTHOFIX INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Dated: March 3, 2011

 

    By:   /s/    ALAN W. MILINAZZO        
      Name:   Alan W. Milinazzo
      Title:   Chief Executive Officer and President

 

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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Name

  

Title

 

Date

/s/    ALAN W. MILINAZZO        

Alan W. Milinazzo

  

Chief Executive Officer,
President and Director (Principal Executive Officer)

  March 3, 2011

/s/    BRIAN MCCOLLUM        

Brian McCollum

  

Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

  March 3, 2011

/s/    JAMES F. GERO        

James F. Gero

  

Chairman of the Board of Directors

  March 3, 2011

/s/    WALTER VON WARTBURG        

Walter von Wartburg

  

Director

  March 3, 2011

/s/    GUY JORDAN        

Guy Jordan

  

Director

  March 3, 2011

/s/    KENNETH R. WEISSHAAR        

Kenneth R. Weisshaar

  

Director

  March 3, 2011

/s/    MARIA SAINZ        

Maria Sainz

  

Director

  March 3, 2011

/s/    MICHAEL MAINELLI        

Michael Mainelli

  

Director

  March 3, 2011

 

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ORTHOFIX INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

     Page  

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-1   

Statement of Management’s Responsibility for Financial Statements

     F-2   

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

     F-3   

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-4   

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009

     F-6   

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

     F-7   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

     F-8   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

     F-9   

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-10   

Schedule 1—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Orthofix International N.V.

     S-1   

Schedule 2—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

     S-5   

All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable and therefore have been omitted.

 

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Table of Contents

ORTHOFIX INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Statement of Management’s Responsibility for Financial Statements

To the Shareholders of Orthofix International N.V.:

Management is responsible for the preparation of the consolidated financial statements and related information that are presented in this report. The consolidated financial statements, which include amounts based on management’s estimates and judgments, have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Other financial information in the report to shareholders is consistent with that in the consolidated financial statements.

The Company maintains accounting and internal control systems to provide reasonable assurance at a reasonable cost that assets are safeguarded against loss from unauthorized use or disposition, and that the financial records are reliable for preparing financial statements and maintaining accountability for assets. These systems are augmented by written policies, an organizational structure providing division of responsibilities and careful selection and training of qualified personnel.

The Company engaged Ernst & Young LLP independent registered public accountants to audit and render an opinion on the consolidated financial statements in accordance with auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). These standards include an assessment of the systems of internal controls and test of transactions to the extent considered necessary by them to support their opinion.

The Board of Directors, through its Audit Committee consisting solely of outside directors of the Company, meets periodically with management and our independent registered public accountants to ensure that each is meeting its responsibilities and to discuss matters concerning internal controls and financial reporting. Ernst & Young LLP has full and free access to the Audit Committee.

James F. Gero

Chairman of the Board of Directors

Alan W. Milinazzo

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Brian McCollum

Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance

 

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ORTHOFIX INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15f under the Exchange Act). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and board of directors regarding the preparation of reliable financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Internal control over financial reporting includes self-monitoring mechanisms and actions taken to correct deficiencies as they are identified. Because of the inherent limitations in any internal control, no matter how well designed, misstatements may occur and not be prevented or detected. Accordingly, even effective internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. Further, the evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting was made as of a specific date, and continued effectiveness in future periods is subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may decline.

Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s system of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010 based on the framework set forth in “Internal Control—Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on its evaluation, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2010, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on the specified criteria.

The Company’s internal control over financial reporting has been audited by the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Ernst & Young LLP, as stated in their reports at pages F-4 and F-5 herein.

James F. Gero

Chairman of the Board of Directors

Alan W. Milinazzo

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Brian McCollum

Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Orthofix International N.V.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Orthofix International N.V. as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010. Our audits also included the financial statement schedules listed in the index at Item 15(a). These financial statements and schedules are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedules based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Orthofix International N.V. at December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Orthofix International N.V.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 3, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

March 3, 2011

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Orthofix International N.V.

We have audited Orthofix International N.V.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Orthofix International N.V.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Orthofix International N.V. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Orthofix International N.V. as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010 of Orthofix International N.V. and our report dated March 3, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

March 3, 2011

 

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ORTHOFIX INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009

 

(U.S. Dollars, in thousands except share and per share data)

   2010      2009  

Assets

     

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 13,561       $ 13,328   

Restricted cash

     22,944         11,630   

Trade accounts receivable, less allowances of $7,250 and $7,205 at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively

     134,184         129,777   

Inventories

     84,589         94,624   

Deferred income taxes

     17,422         20,286   

Escrow receivable

     14,937         12,888   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     24,123         16,961   
                 

Total current assets

     311,760         299,494   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     45,535         38,694   

Patents and other intangible assets, net

     41,457         47,628   

Goodwill

     176,497         185,175   

Deferred taxes

     16,175         11,748   

Other long-term assets

     12,565         7,734   
                 

Total assets

   $ 603,989       $ 590,473   

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

     

Current liabilities:

     

Bank borrowings

   $ 3,812       $ 2,209   

Current portion of long-term debt

     7,500         3,332   

Trade accounts payable

     19,796         23,302   

Other current liabilities

     52,418         59,210   
                 

Total current liabilities

     83,526         88,053   

Long-term debt

     208,695         249,132   

Deferred income taxes

     8,102         6,115   

Other long-term liabilities

     2,775         6,904   
                 

Total liabilities

     303,098         350,204   

Contingencies (Note 15)

     

Shareholders’ equity

     

Common shares $0.10 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 17,726,645 and 17,141,710 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively

     1,772         1,714   

Additional paid-in capital

     195,402         177,246   

Retained earnings

     98,327         54,119   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     5,390         7,190   
                 

Total shareholders’ equity

     300,891         240,269   
                 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 603,989       $ 590,473   
                 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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ORTHOFIX INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

 

(U.S. Dollars, in thousands, except share and per share data)

   2010     2009     2008  

Net sales

   $ 564,370      $ 545,635      $ 519,675   

Cost of sales

     131,716        138,450        152,014   
                        

Gross profit

     432,654        407,185        367,661   

Operating expenses

      

Sales and marketing

     230,942        215,943        206,913   

General and administrative

     88,628        88,866        81,806   

Research and development

     30,350        31,460        30,844   

Amortization of intangible assets

     5,763        7,041        17,094   

Impairment of goodwill and certain intangible assets

     —          —          289,523   

Gain on sale of non-core operations (Note 20)

     (12,019     —          (1,570
                        
     343,664        343,310        624,610   
                        

Operating income (loss)

     88,990        63,875        (256,949

Other income and (expense)

      

Interest income

     330        193        542   

Interest expense

     (17,228     (24,820     (20,216

Gain (loss) on interest rate swap

     1,254        1,852        (7,975

Loss on refinancing of senior secured term loan

     (550     —          (5,735

Other expense, net

     (398     (1,079     (4,702
                        
     (16,592     (23,854     (38,086
                        

Income (loss) before income taxes

     72,398        40,021        (295,035

Income tax (expense) benefit

     (28,190     (15,549     66,481   
                        

Net income (loss)

   $ 44,208      $ 24,472      $ (228,554
                        

Net income (loss) per common share—basic

   $ 2.51      $ 1.43      $ (13.37
                        

Net income (loss) per common share—diluted

   $ 2.47      $ 1.42      $ (13.37
                        

Weighted average number of common shares—basic

     17,601,956        17,119,474        17,095,416   
                        

Weighted average number of common shares—diluted

     17,913,545        17,202,943        17,095,416   
                        

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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ORTHOFIX INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

 

(U.S. Dollars, in thousands, except share data)

  Number of
Common
Shares
Outstanding
    Common
Shares
    Additional
Paid-in
Capital
    Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
    Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 

At December 31, 2007

    17,038,304      $ 1,704      $ 157,349      $ 258,201      $ 16,686      $ 433,940   
                                               

Net loss

    —          —          —          (228,554     —          (228,554

Other comprehensive income (loss):

           

Unrealized gain on derivative instrument (net of taxes of $609)

    —          —          —          —          1,567        1,567   

Translation adjustment

    —          —          —          —          (15,367     (15,367
                 

Total comprehensive loss

              (242,354

Tax benefit on exercise of stock options

    —          —          22        —          —          22   

Reclassification adjustment for tax benefit on exercise of stock options

    —          —          (1,870         (1,870

Share-based compensation expense

    —          —          10,589        —          —          10,589   

Common shares issued

    64,838        6        1,728        —          —          1,734   
                                               

At December 31, 2008

    17,103,142        1,710        167,818        29,647        2,886        202,061   
                                               

Net income

    —          —          —          24,472        —          24,472   

Other comprehensive income:

           

Unrealized loss on derivative instrument (net of taxes of $1,050)

    —          —          —          —          (2,702     (2,702

Translation adjustment

    —          —          —          —          7,006        7,006   
                 

Total comprehensive income

              28,776   

Purchase of minority interest in subsidiary

    —          —          (1,143     —          —          (1,143

Repurchase of equity

    —          —          (220     —          —          (220

Tax benefit on exercise of stock options

    —          —          25        —          —          25   

Share-based compensation expense

    —          —          10,752        —          —          10,752   

Common shares issued

    38,568        4        14        —          —          18   
                                               

At December 31, 2009

    17,141,710        1,714        177,246        54,119        7,190        240,269   
                                               

Net income

    —          —          —          44,208        —          44,208   

Other comprehensive income:

           

Unrealized loss on derivative instrument (net of taxes of $36)

    —          —          —          —          (90     (90

Translation adjustment

    —          —          —          —          (1,710     (1,710
                 

Total comprehensive income

              42,408   

Tax benefit on exercise of stock

options

    —          —          2,222        —          —          2,222   

Share-based compensation expense

    —          —          8,138        —          —          8,138   

Common shares issued

    584,935        58        7,796        —          —          7,854   
                                               

At December 31, 2010

    17,726,645      $ 1,772      $ 195,402      $ 98,327      $ 5,390      $ 300,891   
                                               

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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ORTHOFIX INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

 

(U.S. Dollars, in thousands)

   2010     2009     2008  

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Net income (loss)

   $ 44,208      $ 24,472      $ (228,554

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

      

Depreciation and amortization

     22,521        22,344        31,279   

Amortization of debt costs

     471        248        911   

Provision for doubtful accounts

     8,746        7,335        7,261   

Deferred taxes

     178        (4,409     (79,158

Share-based compensation

     8,138        10,752        10,589   

Provision for inventory obsolescence

     7,376        8,760        10,913   

Loss on refinancing of senior secured term loan

     550        —          3,660   

Impairment of goodwill and certain intangible assets

     —          —          289,523   

Change in fair value of interest rate swap

     (1,254     (1,852     7,975   

Impairment of investments held at cost

     —          —          1,500   

Amortization of step up of fair value in inventory

     —          —          493   

Gain on sale of non-core operations

     (12,019     —          (1,570

Tax benefit on non-qualified stock options

     (2,222     (25     (22

Other

     (1,778     2,541        (743

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of sale of non-core operations:

      

Accounts receivable

     (14,770     (23,858     (13,182

Inventories

     (222     (8,941     (13,731

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (9,263     (12     (5,046

Accounts payable

     (2,863     (1,310     675   

Other current liabilities

     (5,289     14,537        (1,447
                        

Net cash provided by operating activities

     42,508        50,582        21,326   

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment

     (25,844     (20,915     (15,600

Capital expenditures for intangible assets

     (517     (1,083     (4,592

Investment related to collaborative arrangement

     —          (2,000     —     

Proceeds from sale of investments held at cost

     —          1,711        769   

Proceeds from sale of non-core operations

     24,215        —          5,980   
                        

Net cash used in investing activities

     (2,146     (22,287     (13,443

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Net proceeds from issuance of common shares

     7,854        70        1,734   

Payment of refinancing fees and debt issuance costs

     (4,266     —          (283

Repayments of long-term debt

     (36,269     (28,323     (17,069

Restricted cash

     (11,290     (612     5,444   

Cash payment for purchase of minority interest in subsidiary

     —          (1,143     (500

Tax benefit on non-qualified stock options

     2,222        25        22   

Repurchase of equity

     —          (220     —     

Proceeds from (repayment of) bank borrowings, net

     1,723        248        (6,721
                        

Net cash used in financing activities

     (40,026     (29,955     (17,373

Effect of exchange rates changes on cash

     (103     394        (980
                        

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     233        (1,266     (10,470

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

     13,328        14,594        25,064   
                        

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

   $ 13,561      $ 13,328      $ 14,594   
                        

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

      

Cash paid during the year for:

      

Interest

   $ 16,032      $ 26,724      $ 19,311   
                        

Income taxes

   $ 29,743      $ 17,665      $ 12,602   
                        

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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ORTHOFIX INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Description of business

Orthofix International N.V. (the “Company”) is a multinational corporation principally involved in the design, development, manufacture, marketing and distribution of medical equipment. The Company is comprised of four reportable segments: Domestic, Spinal Implants and Biologics, Breg and International. See Note 12 for a description of each segment.

 

1. Summary of significant accounting policies

 

  (a) Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries and entities over which the Company has control. The non-controlling interest component of such entity is immaterial.

All intercompany accounts, transactions and profits are eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. The Company’s investments over which it does not have significant influence or control are accounted for under the cost method of accounting.

 

  (b) Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. The reclassifications have no effect on previously reported net earnings or shareholders’ equity. The Company has reclassified its restricted cash from operating activities to financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. The Company deemed this as the more appropriate disclosure since the cash is restricted for use by only those parties included in the Credit Facilities (see Note 8). Net cash provided by operating activities was previously $50.0 million and $26.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, as previously reported.

 

  (c) Use of estimates in preparation of financial statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates including those related to contractual allowances, doubtful accounts, inventories, taxes, shared based compensation and potential goodwill and intangible asset impairment. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

  (d) Foreign currency translation

All foreign currency denominated balance sheet accounts, except shareholders’ equity, are translated at year end exchange rates and revenue and expense items are translated at weighted average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. Gains and losses resulting from the translation of foreign currency are recorded in the accumulated other comprehensive income component of shareholders’ equity. Transactional foreign currency gains and losses, including those generated from intercompany operations, are included in other expense, net and were $0.1 million, $0.5 million and $2.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

  (e) Reporting currency

The reporting currency is the United States (“U.S.”) Dollar.

 

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Table of Contents

ORTHOFIX INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (cont.)

 

  (f) Cash and cash equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.

 

  (g) Restricted cash

Restricted cash consists of cash held at certain subsidiaries, the distribution or transfer of which to Orthofix International N.V. (the “Parent”) or other subsidiaries that are not parties to the credit facility described in Note 8 is restricted. The senior secured credit facility restricts the Parent and subsidiaries that are not parties to the facilities from access to cash held by Orthofix Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All credit party subsidiaries have access to this cash for operational and debt repayment purposes.

 

  (h) Market risk

In the ordinary course of business, the Company is exposed to the impact of changes in interest rates and foreign currency fluctuations. The Company’s objective is to limit the impact of such movements on earnings and cash flows. In order to achieve this objective the Company seeks to balance its non-dollar denominated income and expenditures. During 2008, the Company executed an interest rate swap agreement to manage the cash flow exposure generated from interest rate fluctuations. On June 29, 2010, the Company settled the interest rate swap. During 2010, 2009, and 2008, the Company made use of a foreign currency swap agreement entered into in December 2006 to manage cash flow exposure generated from foreign currency fluctuations. This foreign currency swap agreement was terminated on September 30, 2010 and replaced with a new foreign currency swap agreement. See Note 9 for additional information.

The Company generally does not require collateral on trade receivables.

 

  (i) Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or estimated net realizable value, after provision for excess or obsolete items. Cost is determined on a weighted-average basis, which approximates the FIFO method. The valuation of work-in-process, finished products, field inventory and consignment inventory includes the cost of materials, labor and production. Field inventory represents immediately saleable finished products inventory that is in the possession of the Company’s direct sales representatives. Consignment inventory represents immediately saleable finished products located at third party customers, such as distributors and hospitals.

 

  (j) Long-lived assets, including intangibles and goodwill

Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Costs include all expenditures necessary to place the asset in service, including freight and sales and use taxes. Plant and equipment also includes instrumentation held by customers and used with the Company’s products. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the useful lives of the assets, except for land, which is not depreciated. Depreciation of leasehold improvements is computed over the shorter of the lease term or the useful life of the asset. The useful lives are as follows:

 

     Years  

Buildings

     25 to 33   

Plant and equipment

     2 to 10   

Furniture and fixtures

     4 to 8   

Instrumentation

     3 to 4   

 

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Table of Contents

ORTHOFIX INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (cont.)

 

Expenditures for maintenance and repairs and minor renewals and improvements, which do not extend the lives of the respective assets, are expensed. All other expenditures for renewals and improvements are capitalized. The assets and related accumulated depreciation are adjusted for property retirements and disposals, with the resulting gain or loss included in operations. Fully depreciated assets remain in the accounts until retired from service.

Patents and other intangible assets are recorded at cost, or when acquired as a part of a business combination at estimated fair value. These assets primarily include patents and other technology agreements (“developed technologies”), trademarks and distribution networks. Identifiable intangible assets which are considered definite lived are amortized over their useful lives using a method of amortization that reflects the pattern in which the economic benefit of the intangible assets is consumed. The Company’s weighted average amortization period for developed technologies and distribution networks is 11 and 10 years, respectively.

Intangible and long-lived assets with definite lives, such as Orthofix’s developed technologies and distribution network assets, are tested for impairment if any adverse conditions exist or change in circumstances have occurred that would indicate impairment or a change in the remaining useful life. If an impairment indicator exists, the Company tests the intangible asset for recoverability. For purposes of the recoverability test, the Company groups its intangible assets with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows if the intangible asset does not generate cash flows independent of other assets and liabilities. If the carrying value of the intangible asset (asset group) exceeds the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the intangible asset (asset group), the Company will write the carrying value down to the fair value in the period identified.

The Company generally calculates fair value of intangible assets as the present value of estimated future cash flows. In determining the estimated future cash flows associated with intangible assets, the Company uses estimates and assumptions about future revenue contributions, cost structures and remaining useful lives of the asset (asset group). The use of alternative assumptions, including estimated cash flows, discount rates, and alternative estimated remaining useful lives could result in different calculations of impairment. During 2008, the Company recognized a $57.0 million and $105.7 million impairment related to Blackstone’s trademark and Spinal Implants and Biologics distribution network and technologies, respectively. No impairments were recorded during 2010 and 2009.

The Company tests goodwill and certain indefinite lived trademarks at least annually for impairment. The Company tests more frequently if indicators are present or changes in circumstances suggest that impairment may exist. These indicators include, among others, declines in sales, earnings or cash flows, or the development of a material adverse change in the business climate. The Company assesses goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment, referred to as a component. Consistent with prior years, the Company has identified four reporting units, which are consistent with the Company’s reporting segments; Domestic, Spinal Implants and Biologics, Breg and International (see Note 12 for additional information).

In performing the annual impairment test, which is performed during the fourth quarter or more frequently when impairment indicators exist, the Company utilizes the two-step approach prescribed. The first step requires a comparison of each reporting unit’s carrying value to the fair value of the respective unit (see additional discussions below). If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. During 2008, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment of $126.9 million. No impairments were recorded during 2010 and 2009.

 

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Table of Contents

ORTHOFIX INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (cont.)

 

Carrying Value

In order to calculate the respective carrying values, the Company records goodwill based on the purchase price allocation performed at the time of acquisition. Corporate assets and liabilities that directly relate to a reporting unit’s operations are ascribed directly to that reporting unit. Corporate assets and liabilities that are not directly related to a specific reporting unit, but from which the reporting unit benefits, are allocated based on the respective contribution measure of each reporting unit.

Fair Value

The fair value of each reporting unit is estimated, entirely or predominantly, using an income based approach. This income approach utilizes a discounted cash flow (“DCF”), which estimates after-tax cash flows on a debt free basis, discounted to present value using a risk-adjusted discount rate.

The Company believes the DCF generally provides the most meaningful fair value as it appropriately measures the Company’s income producing assets. The Company may consider using a cost approach but generally believes it is not appropriate, given the inability to replicate the value of the specific technology-based assets within the reporting units. In circumstances when the DCF indicator of fair value is not sufficiently conclusive to support the carrying value of a reporting unit, or when other measures provide a more appropriate indicator, the Company may consider a market approach in their determination of the reporting unit’s fair value.

In performing a DCF calculation, the Company is required to make assumptions about the amount and timing of future expected cash flows, terminal value growth rates and appropriate discount rates. In connection with these estimates, the Company considers the following:

 

   

The determination of expected cash flows is based on the Company’s strategic plans and long-range planning forecasts which, to the extent reasonably possible, reflect anticipated changes in the economy and the industry. Revenue growth rates represent estimates based on current and forecasted market conditions. The profit margin assumptions are projected by each reporting unit based on historical margins, the current cost structure and anticipated net cost reductions.

 

   

The terminal value growth rate is used to calculate the value of cash flows beyond the last projected period in the DCF. This rate reflects the Company’s estimates for stable, perpetual growth for each reporting unit.

 

   

The discount rates are based on the reporting unit’s risk-adjusted weighted average cost of capital, using assumptions consistent with publicly traded guideline companies operating within the medical device industry as well as Company specific risk factors for each reporting unit.

 

  (k) Investments

The Company had total investments held at cost of $0.3 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 which represents its minority interest ownership in Biowave Corporation, a pain therapy company. In 2010, the Company has assessed this cost and did not note any impairment in carrying value. The Company held an investment with Oped AG, which was sold at cost during 2009 for net proceeds of $1.7 million. The Company also has an investment in OrthoRx which was reduced to zero in 2004.

 

  (l) Derivative instruments

The Company manages its exposure to fluctuating cash flows resulting from changes in interest rates and foreign exchange within the consolidated financial statements according to its hedging policy. Under the policy,

 

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ORTHOFIX INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (cont.)

 

the Company may engage in non-leveraged transactions involving various financial derivative instruments to manage exposed positions. The policy requires the Company to formally document the relationship between the hedging instrument and hedged item, as well as its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge transaction. For instruments designated as a cash flow hedge, the Company formally assesses (both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis) whether the derivative that is used in the hedging transaction has been effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the hedged item and whether such derivative may be expected to remain effective in future periods. If it is determined that a derivative is not (or has ceased to be) effective as a hedge, the Company will discontinue the related hedge accounting prospectively. Such a determination would be made when (1) the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the hedged item; (2) the derivative expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised; or (3) management determines that designating the derivative as a hedging instrument is no longer appropriate. Ineffective portions of changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings.

The Company records all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet at their respective fair values. For a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the derivative’s change in fair value (i.e. gains or losses) is initially reported as a component of other comprehensive income, net of related taxes, and subsequently reclassified into net earnings when the hedged exposure is no longer effective.

The Company utilizes a cross currency swap to manage its foreign currency exposure related to a portion of the Company’s intercompany receivable of a U.S. dollar functional currency subsidiary that is denominated in Euro. The cross currency swap has been accounted for as a cash flow hedge in accordance with ASC Topic 815.

See Note 9 for a description of the types of derivative instruments the Company utilizes.

 

  (m) Accumulated other comprehensive income

Accumulated other comprehensive income is comprised of foreign currency translation adjustments and the effective portion of the gain (loss) on the Company’s cross-currency swaps, which are designated and accounted for as a cash flow hedge (see Note 9). The components of and changes in accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:

 

(US$ in thousands)

   Foreign Currency
Translation
Adjustments
    Fair Value of
Cross-
Currency Swaps
    Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 

Balance at December 31, 2009

   $ 6,795      $ 395      $ 7,190   

Unrealized loss on cross-currency swaps, net of tax of $(36)

     —          (90     (90

Foreign currency translation adjustment (1)

     (1,710     —          (1,710
                        

Balance at December 31, 2010

   $ 5,085      $ 305      $ 5,390   
                        

 

(1) As the cash generally remains permanently invested in the non U.S. dollar denominated foreign subsidiaries, no deferred taxes are recognized on the related foreign currency translation adjustment.

 

  (n) Revenue recognition and accounts receivable

Revenue is generally recognized as income in the period in which title passes and the products are delivered. Revenues exclude any value added or other local taxes, intercompany sales and trade discounts. Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales. Royalty revenues are recognized when the royalty is earned.

 

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (cont.)

 

For bone growth stimulation and certain bracing products that are prescribed by a physician, the Company recognizes revenue when the product is placed on or implanted in and accepted by the patient. For domestic spinal implant and human cellular and tissue based products (“HCT/P products”), revenues are recognized when the product has been utilized and a confirming purchase order has been received from the hospital. For sales to commercial customers, including hospitals and distributors, revenues are recognized at the time of shipment unless contractual agreements specify that title passes on delivery. Revenues for inventory delivered on consignment are recognized as the product is used by the consignee.

In 2008, the Company entered into an agreement with the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation (“MTF”) to develop and commercialize Trinity® Evolution, a stem cell-based bone growth biologic matrix. With the development process completed in 2009, the Company and MTF operate under the terms of a separate commercialization agreement. Under the terms of this 10-year agreement, MTF sources the tissue, processes it to create the bone growth matrix, packages and delivers it to the customer in accordance with orders received from the Company. The Company has exclusive global marketing rights for Trinity® Evolution and receives a marketing fee from MTF based on total sales. This marketing fee is recorded on a net basis within net sales.

The Company derives a significant amount of revenues in the U.S. from third-party payors, including commercial insurance carriers, health maintenance organizations, preferred provider organizations and governmental payors such as Medicare. Amounts paid by these third-party payors are generally based on fixed or allowable reimbursement rates. These revenues are recorded at the expected or pre-authorized reimbursement rates, net of any contractual allowances or adjustments. Certain billings are subject to review by the third-party payors and may be subject to adjustment.

The process for estimating the ultimate collection of accounts receivable involves significant assumptions and judgments. Historical collection and payor reimbursement experience is an integral part of the estimation process related to reserves for doubtful accounts and the establishment of contractual allowances. Accounts receivable are analyzed on a quarterly basis to assess the adequacy of both reserves for doubtful accounts and contractual allowances. Revisions in allowances for doubtful accounts estimates are recorded as an adjustment to bad debt expense within sales and marketing expenses. Revisions to contractual allowances are recorded as an adjustment to net sales. In the judgment of management, adequate allowances have been provided for doubtful accounts and contractual allowances. Our estimates are periodically tested against actual collection experience.

 

  (o) Sale of accounts receivable

The Company will generally sell receivables from certain Italian hospitals during the fourth quarter of each year. The related fee is expensed throughout the year. Trade accounts receivables sold without recourse are removed from the balance sheet at the time of sale.

 

  (p) Share-based compensation

The Company recognizes share-based compensation in accordance with ASC Topic 718 “Compensation—Stock Compensation” (“ASC Topic 718”). The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model. Such value is recognized as expense over the service period net of estimated forfeitures.

The expected term of options granted is estimated based on a number of factors, including the vesting and expiration terms of the award, historical employee exercise behavior for both options that are currently outstanding and options that have been exercised or are expired, the expected volatility of the Company’s common stock and an employee’s average length of service. The risk-free interest rate is determined based upon a constant U.S. Treasury security rate with a contractual life that approximates the expected term of the option

 

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ORTHOFIX INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (cont.)

 

award. Management estimates expected volatility based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The compensation expense recognized for all equity-based awards is net of estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated based on an analysis of actual option forfeitures.

 

  (q) Advertising costs

The Company expenses all advertising costs as incurred. Advertising expense for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was $0.6 million, $0.7 million and $1.1 million, respectively.

 

  (r) Research and development costs

Expenditures for research and development are expensed as incurred. Expenditures related to collaborative arrangements are expensed based on the terms of the related agreements. For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company expensed $7.9 million and $3.9 million related to the collaborative agreements with MTF and Intelligent Implant Systems, LLC (“IIS”). All milestone payments under the MTF agreement have been paid. Based on the terms of the IIS agreement, the Company may pay up to an additional $2.7 million if certain milestones are met.

 

  (s) Income taxes

The Company is subject to income taxes in both the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions, and uses estimates in determining the provision for income taxes. The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method for accounting and reporting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on temporary differences between the financial reporting and income tax basis of assets and liabilities using statutory rates. This process requires that the Company project the current tax liability and estimate the deferred tax assets and liabilities, including net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, the Company has considered the recent operating results, future taxable income projections and all prudent and feasible tax planning strategies.

The Company also recognizes a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position if it is “more likely than not” that the position is sustainable based solely on its technical merits. As of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company had $1.0 million and $0.8 million, respectively, inclusive of interest and penalties, of unrecognized tax benefits.

 

  (t) Net income (loss) per common share

Net income (loss) per common share—basic is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each of the respective years. Net income (loss) per common share—diluted is computed using the weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during each of the respective years using the “treasury stock” method. Common equivalent shares represent the dilutive effect of the assumed exercise of outstanding share options (see Note 18). The only differences between basic and diluted shares result from the assumed exercise of certain outstanding share options.

 

  (u) Recently Issued Accounting Standards

On January 21, 2010, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2010-06, “Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements” (“ASU 2010-06”) (codified within ASC Topic 820—“Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”). This guidance requires some new disclosures and clarifies some existing disclosure requirements about fair value measurement. ASU 2010-06

 

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ORTHOFIX INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (cont.)

 

requires a reporting entity to disclose the significant transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2 fair value measurements and to present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the reconciliation for Level 3 fair value measurements. In addition, the FASB clarified the existing fair value disclosures about the level of disaggregation and about inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value. ASU 2010-06 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2009, for Level 1 and 2 disclosure requirements, which the Company adopted in the first quarter of 2010, and after December 15, 2010 for Level 3 disclosure requirements, which the Company will adopt in the first quarter 2011 if it has any assets valued with a Level 3 method. The adoption of the guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

On February 24, 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-09, “Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements.” This update removes the requirement for an SEC filer to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated and became effective immediately. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

On July 21, 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-20, “Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses.” This update requires increased disclosures about the credit quality of financing receivables and allowances for credit losses, including disclosure about credit quality indicators, past due information and modifications of finance receivables. The Company adopted all amendments that require disclosures as of the end of a reporting period on December 31, 2010. The Company will adopt all amendments that require disclosures about activity that occurs during a reporting period (the remainder of this ASU) during the first quarter of 2011. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

2. Inventories

 

     December 31,  

(US$ in thousands)

   2010     2009  

Raw materials

   $ 12,186      $ 11,777   

Work-in-process

     5,855        6,687   

Finished products

     54,049        59,812   

Field inventory

     32,915        31,970   

Consignment inventory

     9,009        8,259   
                
     114,014        118,505   

Less reserve for obsolescence

     (29,425     (23,881
                
   $ 84,589      $ 94,624   
                

Field inventory represents immediately saleable finished products that are in the possession of the Company’s direct sales representatives. Consignment inventory represents immediately saleable finished products located at third party customers, such as distributors and hospitals.

 

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ORTHOFIX INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (cont.)

 

3. Property, plant and equipment

 

     December 31,  

(US$ in thousands)

   2010     2009  

Cost

    

Buildings

   $ 3,707      $ 3,611   

Plant, equipment and instrumentation

     107,379        98,245   

Furniture and fixtures

     8,629        8,295   
                
     119,715        110,151   

Accumulated depreciation

     (74,180     (71,457
                
   $ 45,535      $ 38,694   
                

Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was $16.8 million, $15.3 million and $14.2 million, respectively.

 

4. Patents and other intangible assets

 

     December 31,  

(US$ in thousands)

   2010     2009  

Cost

    

Patents and developed technologies (1)

   $ 26,226      $ 27,961   

Trademarks—definite lived (subject to amortization)

     543        474   

Trademarks—indefinite lived (not subject to amortization)

     23,104        23,187   

Distribution networks

     44,586        44,586   
                
     94,459        96,208   

Accumulated amortization (1)

    

Patents and developed technologies

     (18,267     (17,363

Trademarks—definite lived (subject to amortization)

     (337     (243

Distribution networks

     (34,398     (30,974
                

Patents and other intangible assets, net

   $ 41,457      $ 47,628   
                

 

(1) In connection with the sale of vascular operations (see Note 20), the Company disposed of patents and development technology with a net carrying value of $0.5 million.

Amortization expense for intangible assets is estimated to be approximately $6.3 million, $5.0 million, $2.1 million, $1.6 million, $1.1 million and $2.3 million for the periods ending December 31, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 and thereafter, respectively.

 

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ORTHOFIX INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (cont.)

 

5. Goodwill

The following table presents the changes in the net carrying value of goodwill by reportable segment:

 

(US$ in thousands)

   Domestic      Spinal Implants
and Biologics
     Breg      International     Total  

At December 31, 2008

   $ 31,793       $ 9,367       $ 99,295       $ 42,126      $ 182,581   

Foreign currency

     —           —           —           2,594        2,594   
                                           

At December 31, 2009

     31,793         9,367         99,295         44,720        185,175   

Disposals (1)

     —           —           —           (7,031     (7,031

Foreign currency

     —           —           —           (1,647     (1,647
                                           

At December 31, 2010

   $ 31,793       $ 9,367       $ 99,295       $ 36,042      $ 176,497   
                                           

 

(1) In connection with the sale of vascular operations (see Note 20), the Company disposed of goodwill amounting to $7.0 million.

 

6. Bank borrowings

Borrowings under the line of credit consist of borrowings in Euros used to fund international operations. The borrowings under such facility were $3.8 million and $2.2 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The weighted average interest rate on borrowings under lines of credit as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 was 3.57% and 5.15%, respectively.

The Company had an unused available line of credit of €4.4 million ($5.9 million) and €5.8 million ($8.2 million) at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, in its Italian line of credit. This line of credit provides the Company the option to borrow amounts in Italy at rates which are determined at the time of borrowing. This line of credit is unsecured.

 

7. Other current liabilities

 

     December 31,  

(US$ in thousands)

   2010      2009  

Accrued expenses

   $ 17,916       $ 15,240   

Salaries, bonuses, commissions and related taxes payable

     24,855         30,779   

Interest rate swap (1)

     —           6,123   

Income taxes payable

     —           1,510   

Other payables

     9,647         5,558   
                 
   $ 52,418       $ 59,210   
                 

 

(1) As discussed in Note 9, the Company terminated the interest rate swap for $4.8 million during the second quarter of 2010.

 

8. Long-term debt

On August 30, 2010, the Company’s wholly-owned U.S. holding company subsidiary, Orthofix Holdings, Inc. (“Orthofix Holdings”) entered into a Credit Agreement (the “New Credit Agreement”) with certain domestic direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Company (the “Guarantors”), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, RBS Citizens, N.A., as Syndication Agent, and certain lender parties thereto. In

 

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ORTHOFIX INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (cont.)

 

connection with the New Credit Agreement, the previously existing credit agreement, was terminated and the related obligations of $232.4 million at August 31, 2010 were repaid in full using proceeds of the New Credit Agreement.

The New Credit Agreement provides for a five year, $200.0 million secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), and a five year, $100.0 million secured term loan facility (the “Term Loan Facility”, and together with the Revolving Credit Facility, the “Credit Facilities”). Orthofix Holdings has the ability to increase the amount of the Credit Facilities by an aggregate amount of up to $50.0 million upon satisfaction of certain conditions. These increased borrowings may be provided either by one or more existing lenders upon Orthofix Holdings obtaining the agreement of such lenders to increase commitments or by new lenders being added to the Credit Facilities.

As of December 31, 2010, the Company had $98.8 million outstanding under the Term Loan Facility and $117.4 million outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility. Borrowings under the Credit Facilities bear interest at a floating rate, which is, at Orthofix Holdings’ option, either the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus an applicable margin or a base rate (as defined in the New Credit Agreement) plus an applicable margin (in each case subject to adjustment based on financial ratios). Such applicable margin will be up to 3.25% for LIBOR borrowings and up to 2.25% for base rate borrowings depending upon a measurement of the consolidated leverage ratio with respect to the immediately preceding four fiscal quarters.

As of December 31, 2010, the entire Term Loan Facility of $98.8 million is at the LIBOR rate plus a margin of 3.00%. In addition, as of December 31, 2010, $100.0 million of the Revolving Credit Facility is at the LIBOR rate plus a margin of 3.00% and the remaining $17.4 million of the Revolving Credit Facility is at a base rate (as defined in the New Credit Agreement) plus a margin of 2.00%. The effective interest rate on the Credit Facilities as of December 31, 2010 was 3.4%. The effective interest rate, including the impact of an interest rate swap (see Note 9), on the previous agreement as of December 31, 2009 was 8.8%.

Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, which may be made in the future, will be used for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes of Orthofix Holdings and its subsidiaries. The Guarantors have guaranteed repayment of Orthofix Holdings’ obligations under the New Credit Agreement. The obligations of Orthofix Holdings and each of the Guarantors with respect to the Credit Facilities are secured by a pledge of substantially all of the assets of Orthofix Holdings and each of the Guarantors.

The principal amount of the Term Loan Facility amortizes at the rate of 5%, 15%, 25%, 25% and 30% in year 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively. Amortization payments began on December 31, 2010 and end on December 31, 2015. The aggregate maturities of long-term debt under contractual obligations after December 31, 2010 are as follows: 2011—$7.5 million, 2012—$17.5 million, 2013—$25.0 million, 2014—$26.3 million and 2015—$139.9 million. Outstanding principal on the Revolving Credit Facility is due on December 31, 2015.

The New Credit Agreement requires Orthofix Holdings and the Company to comply with leverage and fixed charge coverage ratios and contains affirmative and negative covenants, including limitations on additional debt, liens, investments and acquisitions. The New Credit Agreement also includes events of default customary for facilities of this type. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, all outstanding loans may be accelerated and/or the lenders’ commitments terminated. Management believes the Company was in compliance at December 31, 2010 and there were no events of default.

Certain subsidiaries of the Company have restrictions on their ability to pay dividends or make intercompany loan advances pursuant to the Company’s Credit Facilities. The net assets of Orthofix Holdings and its subsidiaries are restricted for distributions to the parent company. Domestic subsidiaries of the Company,

 

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (cont.)

 

as parties to the credit agreement, have access to these net assets for operational purposes. The amount of restricted net assets of Orthofix Holdings and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010 is $178.5 million compared to $143.1 million at December 31, 2009. In addition, the New Credit Agreement restricts the Company and subsidiaries that are not parties to the Credit Facilities from access to cash held by Orthofix Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All credit party subsidiaries have access to this cash for operational and debt repayment purposes. The amount of restricted cash of the Company as of December 31, 2010 is $22.9 million compared to $11.6 million at December 31, 2009.

In conjunction with obtaining the Credit Facilities, the Company incurred debt issuance costs of $4.3 million which are being amortized using the effective interest method over the life of the Credit Facilities. The capitalized debt issuance costs related to the previous agreement was $0.6 million at August 31, 2010. These costs, included in Other Long-term Assets, were expensed as a result of the payoff of previous agreement. As of December 31, 2010, debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization, related to the New Credit Agreement were $3.9 million.

 

9. Derivative instruments

The tables below disclose the types of derivative instruments the Company owns, the classifications and fair values of these instruments within the balance sheet, and the amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”) or net income (loss).

 

(US$ in thousands)

   Fair value: favorable
(unfavorable)
   

Balance sheet location

As of December 31, 2010

          

Cross-currency swap

   $ (262   Other long-term liabilities

As of December 31, 2009

          

Cross-currency swap

   $ (4,737   Other long-term liabilities

Interest rate swap

   $ (6,123   Other current liabilities

 

(US$ in thousands)

   For the year ended
December 31,
 
     2010     2009     2008  

Interest rate swap gain (loss) recognized in net income (loss)

   $ 1,254      $ 1,852      $ (7,975

Cross-currency swap gain (loss) recorded in other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes

     (90     (2,702     1,567   

Cross-currency swap

In 2006, the Company entered into a cross-currency swap agreement with Wells Fargo to manage its cash flows related to foreign currency exposure for a portion of the Company’s intercompany receivable of a U.S. dollar functional currency subsidiary that is denominated in Euro. The derivative instrument, a ten-year fully amortizable agreement with an initial notional amount of $63.0 million, was scheduled to expire on December 30, 2016. Upon executing the Company’s New Credit Agreement (see Note 8), the Company terminated this cross-currency swap agreement on September 30, 2010. Also on September 30, 2010, the Company entered into a new cross-currency swap agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland PLC (the “counterparties”) (the “replacement swap agreement”).

Upon the termination of the cross-currency swap agreement with Wells Fargo on September 30, 2010, the amount representing the current fair value of the terminated cross-currency swap was $450,000 (the “cash

 

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ORTHOFIX INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (cont.)

 

settlement amount”). The cash settlement amount was recorded in Other Current Liabilities and is being amortized over the remaining life of the underlying transaction, assuming such payments remain probable. As of December 31, 2010, the value of the cash settlement amount was $0.4 million.

Under the terms of the replacement swap agreement, the Company pays Euros based on a €40.7 million notional value and a fixed rate of 5.00% and receives U.S. dollars based on a notional value of $55.2 million and a fixed rate of 4.635%. The expiration date is December 30, 2016, the date upon which the underlying intercompany debt, to which the replacement swap agreement applies, matures. The replacement swap agreement is designated as a cash flow hedge and therefore the Company recognized an unrealized gain (loss) on the change in fair value, net of tax, within other comprehensive income.

Interest rate swap

In June 2008, the Company entered into a three-year fully amortizable interest rate swap agreement (the “Swap”) with a notional amount of $150.0 million and an expiration date of June 30, 2011. During the fourth quarter of 2008, as a result of declining interest rates and a LIBOR floor in the Company’s former credit facility, the Swap was no longer deemed highly effective. Special hedge accounting was no longer applied and fair value adjustments were reported in current earnings. On June 29, 2010, the Company settled the Swap with the financial institution holder of the derivative instrument. As part of the terms of the buyout of the Swap, the Company paid $4.8 million to the financial institution holder. As the instrument had a fair value of $6.1 million at December 31, 2009, the transaction resulted in a $1.3 million gain in 2010.

 

10. Fair value measurements

The Company adopted the accounting guidance for fair value measurements on January 1, 2008. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Non-financial assets and liabilities of the Company measured at fair value include any long-lived assets or equity method investments that are impaired in a currently reported period. The authoritative guidance also describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

 

  Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities

 

  Level 2 – observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities

 

  Level 3 – unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data available, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions

As of December 31, 2010, the Company’s financial instruments included cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, short-term bank borrowings, accounts payable, long-term secured debt, and a cross currency derivative contract. Cash equivalents consist of short-term, highly liquid, income-producing investments, all of which have original maturities of 90 days or less, including money market funds. The carrying value of restricted cash, accounts receivable, short-term bank borrowings and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. The Company’s credit facilities carry a floating rate of interest, and therefore, the carrying value is considered to approximate the fair value.

The Company’s cross-currency derivative instrument is the only financial instrument recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. This instrument consists of an over-the-counter contract, which is not traded on a public exchange. The fair value of the swap contract is determined based on inputs that are readily available in public markets or can be derived from information available in publicly quoted markets. Therefore, the Company has

 

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ORTHOFIX INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (cont.)

 

categorized the swap contract as a Level 2 derivative financial instrument. The Company also considers counterparty credit risk and its own credit risk in its determination of all estimated fair values. The Company has consistently applied these valuation techniques in all periods presented.

The fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities on a recurring basis were as follows:

 

(US$ in thousands)

   Balance
December 31,
2010
    Level 1      Level 2     Level 3  

Derivative Financial Instruments (1)

         

Cash Flow Hedges

         

Cross currency hedge

   $ (262   $ —         $ (262   $ —     

 

(1) See Note 9, “Derivative Instruments”.

 

11. Commitments

Leases

The Company has entered into operating leases for facilities and equipment. These leases are non-cancellable and typically do not contain renewal options. Certain leases contain rent escalation clauses for which the Company recognizes the expense on a straight-line basis. Rent expense under the Company’s operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was approximately $6.8 million, $6.2 million and $5.6 million, respectively. Future minimum lease payments under operating leases, net of amounts to be received under sub-leases, as of December 31, 2010 are as follows:

 

(US$ in thousands)

      

2011

   $ 5,162   

2012

     3,992   

2013

     3,161   

2014

     2,857   

2015

     2,259   

Thereafter

     5,911   
        

Total

   $ 23,342   
        

 

12. Business segment information

The Company’s segment information is prepared on the same basis that the Company’s management reviews the financial information for operational decision making purposes. The Company is comprised of the following segments:

Domestic

Domestic (“Domestic”) consists of the operations of Orthofix Inc. within the U.S. Domestic designs, manufactures and distributes stimulation, orthopedic and biologics products. Domestic uses both direct and distributor sales representatives to sell Spine and Orthopedic products to hospitals, doctors and other healthcare providers in the U.S. market.

 

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (cont.)

 

Spinal Implants and Biologics

Spinal Implants and Biologics (“Spinal Implants and Biologics”) consists of Blackstone and its two subsidiaries, Blackstone GmbH and Goldstone GmbH. Spinal Implants and Biologics specializes in the design, development and marketing of spinal implant and related HCT/P products. Spinal Implants and Biologics distributes its products through a network of domestic and international distributors, sales representatives and affiliates.

Breg

Breg, Inc. (“Breg”), based in Vista, California, designs, manufactures, and distributes orthopedic products for post-operative reconstruction and rehabilitative patient use and sells its products through a network of domestic and international distributors, sales representatives and affiliates.

International

International (“International”) consists of international operations located in Europe, Mexico, Brazil and Puerto Rico, as well as independent distributors located outside the U.S. International uses both direct and distributor sales representatives to sell Spine, Orthopedics, Sports Medicine and Other Products to hospitals, doctors, and other healthcare providers.

Group Activities

Group activities are comprised of the operating expenses of Orthofix International N.V. and its U.S. holding company subsidiary, Orthofix Holdings, Inc.

The tables below present information by reportable segment:

 

     External Sales      Intersegment Sales  

(US$ in thousands)

   2010      2009      2008      2010      2009      2008  

Domestic

   $ 228,221       $ 210,703       $ 188,807       $ 5,504       $ 4,516       $ 5,871   

Spinal Implants and Biologics

     130,523         118,680         108,966         1,578         2,335         3,999   

Breg

     91,664         92,188         89,478         5,905         5,521         5,583   

International (1)

     113,962         124,064         132,424         20,899         23,116         24,914   
                                                     

Total

   $ 564,370       $ 545,635       $ 519,675       $ 33,886       $ 35,488       $ 40,367   
                                                     

 

(1) Includes sales of the divested vascular business (see Note 20) until its disposal in March 2010. Also includes vascular sales post-March 2010 which are related to the transition supply agreement.

 

Operating Income (Loss)

(US$ in thousands)

   Year Ended
December 31,
 
   2010     2009     2008  

Domestic (1) (2)

   $ 70,762      $ 67,831      $ 64,301   

Spinal Implants and Biologics (1) (2) (3)

     6,293        (14,045     (330,755

Breg

     9,509        13,061        12,393   

International (1) (4)

     20,171        17,664        18,664   

Group Activities

     (17,683     (21,156     (20,812

Eliminations

     (62     520        (740
                        

Total

   $ 88,990      $ 63,875      $ (256,949
                        

 

(1) Includes a charge related to employee termination benefits of $3.6 million associated with the internal reorganization in 2010 with $1.3 million in Domestic, $0.4 million in Spinal Implants and Biologics and $1.9 million in International for the year ended December 31, 2010 (see Note 19).

 

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (cont.)

 

(2)

Includes a patent dispute settlement charge of $2.0 million concerning the Trinity® Evolution tissue allograft, of which $0.5 million is recorded in Domestic and $1.5 million is recorded in Spinal Implants and Biologics, for the year ended December 31, 2010.

(3) Includes $5.7 million of research and development expense from collaborative arrangements and $3.6 million of restructuring charges for the year ended December 31, 2009. Includes impairment charges on goodwill and certain intangible assets of $289.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2008. Includes an increase in the reserve for obsolescence of $10.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2008, due to reduced projections in revenue, distributor terminations, new products, and the replacement of one product with a successor product.
(4) Includes net gain on the sale of vascular operations of $12.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 (see Note 20).

The following table presents identifiable assets by segment, excluding intercompany balances and investments in consolidated subsidiaries.

 

Identifiable Assets

(US$ in thousands)

   2010     2009  

Domestic

   $ 132,484      $ 119,821   

Spinal Implants and Biologics

     132,422        129,508   

Breg

     151,711        149,469   

International

     151,179        166,147   

Group activities

     36,256        25,008   

Eliminations

     (63     520   
                

Total

   $ 603,989      $ 590,473   
                

The following table presents depreciation and amortization, income tax expense (benefit) and other income (expense) by segment:

 

    Depreciation and
amortization
    Income tax
expense (benefit)
    Other income
and (expense)
 

(US$ in thousands)

  2010     2009     2008     2010     2009     2008     2010     2009     2008  

Domestic

  $ 2,820      $ 2,519      $ 2,674      $ 28,176      $ 29,427      $ 25,457      $ 46      $ (20   $ (1,414

Spinal Implants and Biologics

    7,282        7,500        15,837        (2,496     (12,725     (86,857     (496     179        73   

Breg

    6,567        6,964        7,750        1,122        3,749        2,676        (47     (209     (119

International

    5,726        5,087        4,794        3,101        1,398        (222     (4,612     45        (7,460

Group activities

    126        274        224        (1,713     (6,300     (7,535     (11,483     (23,849     (29,166
                                                                       

Total

  $ 22,521      $ 22,344      $ 31,279      $ 28,190      $ 15,549      $ (66,481   $ (16,592   $ (23,854   $ (38,086
                                                                       

Capital expenditures of tangible and intangible assets for each segment are as follows:

 

(US$ in thousands)

   2010      2009      2008  

Domestic

   $ 8,267       $ 4,569       $ 1,813   

Spinal Implants and Biologics

     9,768         9,442         10,355   

Breg

     2,757         1,898         3,071   

International

     5,564         5,975         4,757   

Group activities

     5         114         196   
                          

Total

   $ 26,361       $ 21,998       $ 20,192   
                          

 

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ORTHOFIX INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (cont.)

 

Geographical information

Analysis of net sales by geographic destination:

 

(US$ in thousands)

   2010      2009      2008  

U.S.

   $ 438,117       $ 415,356       $ 381,016   

International:

        

U.K.

     13,873         19,407         27,465   

Italy

     20,593         19,679         26,075   

Brazil

     21,561         13,932         13,487   

Other

     70,226         77,261         71,632   
                          

Total international

     126,253         130,279         138,659   
                          

Total net sales

   $ 564,370       $ 545,635       $ 519,675   
                          

Analysis of property, plant and equipment by geographic area:

 

(US$ in thousands)

   2010      2009  

U.S.

   $ 32,718       $ 25,219   

Italy

     7,614         7,567   

U.K.

     1,618         2,415   

Brazil

     2,400         1,571   

Others

     1,185         1,922   
                 

Total

   $ 45,535       $ 38,694   
                 

 

     Sales by Market Sector for the year ended December 31, 2010  

(US$ in thousands)

   Domestic      Spinal
Implants
and
Biologics
     Breg      International      Total  

Spine

   $ 172,547       $ 130,523       $ —         $ 3,352       $ 306,422   

Orthopedics

     55,674         —           —           88,774         144,448   

Sports Medicine

     —           —           91,664         3,798         95,462   

Other Products (1)

     —           —           —           18,038         18,038   
                                            

Total

   $ 228,221       $ 130,523       $ 91,664       $ 113,962       $ 564,370   
                                            

 

(1) Reflects reduction in sales sue to the disposal of the vascular operations (See Note 20) in March 2010.

 

     Sales by Market Sector for the year ended December 31, 2009  

(US$ in thousands)

   Domestic      Spinal
Implants and
Biologics
     Breg      International      Total  

Spine

   $ 158,908       $ 118,680       $ —         $ 1,837       $ 279,425   

Orthopedics

     51,795         —           —           79,515         131,310   

Sports Medicine

     —           —           92,188         4,178         96,366   

Other Products

     —           —           —           38,534         38,534   
                                            

Total

   $ 210,703       $ 118,680       $ 92,188       $ 124,064       $ 545,635   
                                            

 

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ORTHOFIX INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (cont.)

 

     Sales by Market Sector for the year ended December 31, 2008  

(US$ in thousands)

   Domestic      Spinal
Implants and
Biologics
     Breg      International      Total  

Spine

   $ 141,753       $ 108,966       $ —         $ 1,520       $ 252,239   

Orthopedics

     47,054         —           —           82,052         129,106   

Sports Medicine

     —           —           89,478         5,050         94,528   

Other Products

     —           —           —           43,802         43,802   
                                            

Total

   $ 188,807       $ 108,966       $ 89,478       $ 132,424       $ 519,675   
                                            

Beginning January 1, 2011, the Company began managing its business by its three global business units of Spine, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine.

 

13. Income taxes

Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes consisted of:

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
 

(US$ in thousands)

   2010      2009      2008  

U.S.

   $ 57,849       $ 28,542       $ (304,542

Non-U.S.

     14,549         11,479         9,507   
                          
   $ 72,398       $ 40,021       $ (295,035
                          

The provision for (benefit from) income taxes in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations consists of the following:

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
 

(US$ in thousands)

   2010     2009     2008  

U.S.

      

-Current

   $ 23,208      $ 17,929      $ 12,697   

-Deferred

     (1,533     (6,698     (81,661

Non-U.S.

      

-Current

     4,804        2,029        (53

-Deferred

     1,711        2,289        2,536   
                        

Total tax expense

   $ 28,190      $ 15,549      $ (66,481
                        

 

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ORTHOFIX INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (cont.)

 

The tax effects of the significant temporary differences, which comprise the deferred tax assets and liabilities and assets, are as follows:

 

(US$ in thousands)

   2010     2009  

Patents, trademarks, other intangible assets and goodwill

   $ (6,048   $ (8,495

Property, plant and equipment

     (6,672     (4,297

Withholding taxes

     (8,102     (6,415

Inventories and related reserves

     11,576        11,065   

Accrued compensation

     15,484        14,296   

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     4,163        4,306   

Interest

     12,471        12,254   

Net operating loss carryforwards

     21,790        18,664   

Other, net

     1,856        1,780   

Valuation allowance

     (21,023     (17,239
                

Net deferred tax asset

   $ 25,495      $ 25,919   
                

The valuation allowance as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 was $21.0 million and $17.2 million, respectively. The net increase in the valuation allowance of $3.8 million during the year relates to current period foreign losses not benefitted. The valuation allowance is attributable to net operating loss carryforwards and certain temporary differences in certain foreign jurisdictions, the benefit for which is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income in that location. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not the Company will realize the benefits of these deductible differences, net of the existing valuation allowances at December 31, 2010.

The Company has tax net operating loss carryforwards in various taxing jurisdictions of approximately $78.5 million with the majority of the losses related to the Company’s Netherlands operations expiring in various amounts in tax years beginning in 2011. The Company has provided a valuation allowance against a significant portion of these net operating loss carryforwards since it does not believe that this deferred tax asset can be realized prior to expiration.

 

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ORTHOFIX INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (cont.)

 

The rate reconciliation presented below is based on the U.S. federal income tax rate, rather than the parent company’s country of domicile tax rate. Management believes, given the large proportion of taxable income earned in the United States, such disclosure is more meaningful.

 

(US$ in thousands, except percentages)

   2010     2009     2008  
     Amount     Percent     Amount     Percent     Amount     Percent  

Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate

   $ 25,339        35   $ 14,007        35   $ (103,263     35

State taxes, net

     2,903        4.0     1,574        3.9     (4,798     1.6

Foreign rate differential

     (1,299     (1.8 )%      (1,401     (3.5 )%      (1,422     0.5

Valuation allowance—foreign losses

     3,874        5.4     2,861        7.2     3,031        (1.0 )% 

Italy step-up amortization

     (2,607     (3.6 )%      (2,573     (6.4 )%      (2,527     0.9

Domestic manufacturing deduction

     (1,944     (2.7 )%      (839     (2.1 )%      (741     0.3

Goodwill impairment

     —          0.0     —          0.0     44,406        (15.2 )% 

Other items, net

     1,924        2.6     1,920        4.8     (1,167     0.4
                                                

Income tax expense/effective rate

   $ 28,190        38.9   $ 15,549        38.9   $ (66,481     22.5
                                                

The Company’s gross unrecognized tax benefit was $0.6 million and $0.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company recognizes potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within its global operations in income tax expenses. The Company had approximately $0.4 million and $0.4 million accrued for payment of interest and penalties as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The entire amount of unrecognized tax benefits, including interest, would favorably impact the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized. As of December 31, 2010, the Company does not expect the amount of unrecognized tax benefits to change significantly over the next twelve months.

A reconciliation of the gross unrecognized tax benefits (excluding interest) for the years ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 follows:

 

(US$ in thousands)

   2010      2009  

Balance as of January 1,

   $ 442       $ 707   

Additions for current year tax positions

     70         —     

Additions for prior year tax positions

     57         338   

Expiration of statutes

     —           —     

Audit settlements

     —           (603
                 

Balance as of December 31,

   $ 569       $ 442   
                 

The Company files a consolidated income tax return in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and numerous consolidated and separate income tax returns in many state and foreign jurisdictions. The statute of limitations with respect to federal tax authorities is closed for years prior to December 31, 2007. The statute of limitations for the various state tax filings is closed in most instances for the years prior to December 31, 2006. The statute of limitations with respect to the major foreign tax filing jurisdictions is closed for years prior to December 31, 2006.

The Company’s intention is to reinvest the total amount of its unremitted foreign earnings (residing outside the Netherland Antilles) in the local jurisdiction, to the extent they are generated and available, or to repatriate

 

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (cont.)

 

the earnings only when tax-effective. As such, the Company has not provided tax expense on $307.4 million of the unremitted earnings of its foreign subsidiaries. It is not practicable to determine the amounts of net additional income tax that may be payable if such earnings were repatriated.

 

14. Related parties

In 2010, the Company purchased components related to the A-V Impulse® System (the Company sold this asset to an unrelated party in March 2010—see Note 20) and bought the Laryngeal Mask (the Company terminated this distribution agreement in June 2010) from companies in which a former board member has a beneficial minority interest. In addition, OrthoPro, Inc. and Superior Medical Equipment, independent distributors for Breg, Inc., are owned by the son of one of the Company’s former board members. The Company sells bracing products to OrthoRx, an entity in which the Company has a minority interest equity ownership, accounted for under the cost method. The following table summaries these related party balances and transactions as of and for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
 

(US$ in thousands)

   2010      2009      2008  

Sales

   $ 3,081       $ 4,043       $ 2,278   

Purchases

   $ 4,911       $ 11,901       $ 12,681   

Accounts payable

   $ 334       $ 1,481       $ 1,686   

Accounts receivable

   $ 676       $ 563       $ 460   

 

 

15. Contingencies

Litigation

On or about July 23, 2007, the Company’s subsidiary, Blackstone Medical, Inc. (“Blackstone”) received a subpoena issued by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, under the authority of the federal healthcare anti-kickback and false claims statutes. The subpoena seeks documents for the period January 1, 2000 through July 31, 2006, which is prior to Blackstone’s acquisition by the Company. The Company believes that the subpoena concerns the compensation of physician consultants and related matters. On September 17, 2007, the Company submitted a claim for indemnification from the escrow fund established in connection with the agreement and plan of merger between the Company, New Era Medical Corp. and Blackstone, dated as of August 4, 2006 (the “Blackstone Merger Agreement”), for any losses to the Company resulting from this matter. (The Company’s indemnification rights under the Blackstone Merger Agreement are described further below). The Company was subsequently notified by legal counsel for the former shareholders that the representative of the former shareholders of Blackstone has objected to the indemnification claim and intends to contest it in accordance with the terms of the Blackstone Merger Agreement.

On or about January 7, 2008, the Company received a federal grand jury subpoena from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts. The subpoena seeks documents from the Company for the period January 1, 2000 through July 15, 2007. The Company believes that the subpoena concerns the compensation of physician consultants and related matters, and further believes that it is associated with the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General’s investigation of such matters. On September 18, 2008, the Company submitted a claim for indemnification from the escrow fund established in connection with the Blackstone Merger Agreement for any losses to the Company resulting from this matter. On or about April 29, 2009, counsel for the Company received a HIPAA subpoena issued by the U.S. Department of Justice. The subpoena seeks documents from the Company for the period January 1, 2000 through July 15, 2007. The

 

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ORTHOFIX INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (cont.)

 

Company believes that the subpoena concerns the compensation of physician consultants and related matters, and further believes that it is associated with the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General’s investigation of such matters, as well as the January 7, 2008 federal grand jury subpoena. On or about August 26, 2010, counsel for Orthofix Inc. and Blackstone executed a tolling agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts (the “Tolling Agreement”) that extends an agreement tolling the statute of limitations applicable to any criminal, civil, or administrative proceedings that the government might later initiate to include the period from December 1, 2008 through and including October 31, 2010. On or about February 1, 2011, the parties further extended the tolling of the statute of limitations through and including May 31, 2011 with respect to any criminal proceedings that the government might later initiate.

On or about December 5, 2008, the Company obtained a copy of a qui tam complaint filed by Susan Hutcheson and Philip Brown against Blackstone and the Company in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. A qui tam action is a civil lawsuit brought by an individual for an alleged violation of a federal statute, in which the U.S. Department of Justice has the right to intervene and take over the prosecution of the lawsuit at its option. On November 21, 2008, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a notice of non-intervention in the case. The complaint was served on Blackstone on or about March 24, 2009. Counsel for the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on June 4, 2009. The amended complaint sets forth a cause of action against Blackstone under the False Claims Act for alleged inappropriate payments and other items of value conferred on physician consultants; Orthofix is not named as a defendant in the amended complaint. The Company believes that this lawsuit is related to the matters described above involving the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, and the U.S. Department of Justice. The Company intends to defend vigorously against this lawsuit. On September 18, 2008, after being informed of the existence of the lawsuit by representatives of the U.S. Department of Justice and prior to the unsealing of the complaint (which was unsealed by the court on or about November 24, 2008), the Company submitted a claim for indemnification from the escrow fund established in connection with the Blackstone Merger Agreement for any losses to the Company resulting from this matter. On or about March 12, 2010, the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts granted Blackstone’s motion to dismiss and, on March 15, 2010, entered judgment in favor of Blackstone. On or about April 9, 2010, the qui tam relators filed a notice of appeal of the district court decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

On or about September 27, 2007, Blackstone received a federal grand jury subpoena issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada (“USAO-Nevada subpoena”). The subpoena seeks documents for the period from January 1999 to the date of issuance of the subpoena. The Company believes that the subpoena concerns payments or gifts made by Blackstone to certain physicians. On February 29, 2008, Blackstone received a Civil Investigative Demand (“CID”) from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, Public Protection and Advocacy Bureau, Healthcare Division. The CID seeks documents for the period from March 2004 through the date of issuance of the CID, and the Company believes that the CID concerns Blackstone’s financial relationships with certain physicians and related matters. The Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Health Care Fraud Section has issued a criminal subpoena, dated August 8, 2008, to Orthofix Inc. (the “Ohio AG subpoena”). The Ohio AG subpoena seeks documents for the period from January 1, 2000 through the date of issuance of the subpoena. The Company believes that the Ohio AG subpoena arises from a government investigation that concerns the compensation of physician consultants and related matters. On September 18, 2008, the Company submitted a claim for indemnification from the escrow fund established in connection with the Blackstone Merger Agreement for any losses to us resulting from the USAO-Nevada subpoena, the Massachusetts CID and the Ohio AG subpoena.

By order entered on January 4, 2007, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas unsealed a qui tam complaint captioned Thomas v. Chan, et al., 4:06-cv-00465-JLH, filed against Dr. Patrick Chan, Blackstone and other defendants including another device manufacturer. The amended complaint in the Thomas action alleges causes of action under the False Claims Act for alleged inappropriate payments and other items of

 

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ORTHOFIX INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (cont.)

 

value conferred on Dr. Chan and another provider. The Company believes that Blackstone has meritorious defenses to the claims alleged and the Company intends to defend vigorously against this lawsuit. On or about May 10, 2010 the Court granted the parties’ joint motion to stay all proceedings for six months, which stay has subsequently been extended indefinitely. On September 17, 2007, the Company submitted a claim for indemnification from the escrow fund established in connection with the Blackstone Merger Agreement for any losses to us resulting from this matter. The Company was subsequently notified by legal counsel for the former shareholders that the representative of the former shareholders of Blackstone has objected to the indemnification claim and intends to contest it in accordance with the terms of the Blackstone Merger Agreement.

Under the Blackstone Merger Agreement, the former shareholders of Blackstone have agreed to indemnify the Company for breaches of representations and warranties under the agreement as well as certain other specified matters. These post-closing indemnification obligations of the former Blackstone shareholders are limited to a cumulative aggregate amount of $66.6 million. At closing, an escrow fund was established pursuant to the terms of the Blackstone Merger Agreement to fund timely submitted indemnification claims. The initial amount of the escrow fund was $50.0 million. As of December 31, 2010, the escrow fund, which has subsequently accrued interest, contained $52 million. The Company is also entitled to seek direct personal recourse against certain principal shareholders of Blackstone after all monies on deposit in the escrow fund have been paid out or released or are the subject of pending or unresolved indemnification claims but only for a period of six years from the closing date of the merger and only up to an amount equal to $66.6 million less indemnification claims previously paid.

In addition to the foregoing claims, the Company has submitted claims for indemnification from the escrow fund for losses that have resulted or may result from certain civil actions filed against Blackstone as well as certain claims against Blackstone alleging rights to payments for Blackstone stock options not reflected in Blackstone’s corporate ledger at the time of its acquisition by the Company, or that the shares or stock options subject to those claims were improperly diluted by Blackstone. To date, the representative of the former shareholders of Blackstone has not objected to approximately $1.5 million in such claims from the escrow fund, with certain claims remaining pending.

Although the Company believes amounts submitted to the escrow fund, net of any reserve, represent valid claims and are realizable, the outcome of each of the escrow claims described above in the preceding paragraphs is difficult to predict. Consequently, any estimate of the amount that may ultimately be returned to the Company from the escrow fund is not certain and there can be no assurance that losses to the Company from these matters will not exceed the amount of the escrow fund. Expenses incurred by the Company relating to the above matters are recorded as an escrow receivable in the Company’s financial statements to the extent the Company believes, among other things, that collection of the claims is reasonably assured. Expenditures related to such matters for which the Company believes collection is doubtful are recognized in earnings when incurred. As of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the escrow receivable is approximately $14.9 million and $12.9 million, respectively, related to the Blackstone matters described above. These amounts include, among other things, attorneys’ fees and costs related to the government investigations manifested by the subpoenas described above, the stock option-related claims described above, and costs related to the qui tam actions described above. As described above, these reimbursement claims are generally being contested by the representative of the former shareholders of Blackstone. To mitigate the risk that some reimbursement claims will not be collected, the Company records a reserve against the escrow receivable during the period in which reimbursement claims are recognized.

Effective October 29, 2007, Blackstone entered into a settlement agreement of a patent infringement lawsuit brought by certain affiliates of Medtronic Sofamor Danek USA Inc. In that lawsuit, the Medtronic plaintiffs had alleged that they were the exclusive licensees of certain U.S. patents and that Blackstone’s making, selling, offering for sale, and using its Blackstone Anterior Cervical Plate, 3 Degree Anterior Cervical Plate, Hallmark

 

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Anterior Cervical Plate, Reliant Cervical Plate, Pillar PEEK and Construx Mini PEEK VBR System products within the U.S. willfully infringed the subject patents. Blackstone denied infringement and asserted that the patents were invalid. The settlement agreement is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. On July 20, 2007, the Company submitted a claim for indemnification from the escrow fund established in connection with the Blackstone Merger Agreement for any losses to the Company resulting from this matter. The Company was subsequently notified by legal counsel of the former shareholders that the representative of the former shareholders of Blackstone has objected to the indemnification claim and intends to contest it in accordance with the terms of the Blackstone Merger Agreement.

On or about April 10, 2009, the Company received a HIPAA subpoena (“HIPAA subpoena”) issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts (the “Boston USAO”). The subpoena sought documents concerning, among other things, the Company’s promotion and marketing of its bone growth stimulator devices. The Boston USAO issued supplemental subpoenas seeking documents in this matter, dated September 21, 2009, December 16, 2009, October 13, 2010, October 14, 2010, October 18, 2010, December 3, 2010, and January 13, 2011, respectively. The subpoenas seek documents for the period January 1, 1995 through the date of the respective subpoenas. Document production in response to the subpoenas is ongoing. The Boston USAO also issued two supplemental subpoenas requiring testimony in this matter dated July 23, 2009 and June 3, 2010. That office excused performance with the July 23, 2009 subpoena indefinitely. The Boston USAO has provided the Company with grand jury subpoenas for the testimony of certain current and former employees in connection with its ongoing investigation. The Company intends to cooperate with the government’s requests. In meetings with the Company and its attorneys regarding this matter, the Boston USAO has informed the Company that it is investigating possible criminal and civil violations of federal law related to the Company’s promotion and marketing of its bone growth stimulator devices.

On or about April 14, 2009, the Company obtained a copy of a qui tam complaint filed by Jeffrey J. Bierman in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts against Orthofix Inc., the Company, and other companies that have allegedly manufactured bone growth stimulation devices, including Orthologic Corp., DJO Incorporated, Reable Therapeutics, Inc., the Blackstone Group, L.P., Biomet, Inc., EBI, L.P., EBI Holdings, Inc., EBI Medical Systems, Inc., Bioelectron, Inc., LBV Acquisition, Inc., and Smith & Nephew, Inc. By order entered on March 24, 2009, the court unsealed the case. The Company and Orthofix Inc. were served on or about September 8, 2009. With leave of court, Relator’s Second Amended Complaint was filed on June 11, 2010. The complaint alleges various causes of action under the federal False Claims Act and state and city false claims acts premised on the contention that the defendants improperly promoted the sale, as opposed to the rental, of bone growth stimulation devices. The complaint also includes claims against the defendants for, among other things, allegedly misleading physicians and purportedly causing them to file false claims and for allegedly violating the Anti-kickback Act by providing free products to physicians, waiving patients’ insurance co-payments, and providing inducements to independent sales agents to generate business. The Company believes that this lawsuit is related to the matter described above involving the HIPAA subpoena. On or about December 4, 2010, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts denied the Company’s motion to dismiss. The Company intends to defend vigorously against this lawsuit.

On or about July 2, 2009, the Company obtained a copy of a qui tam complaint filed by Marcus Laughlin that is pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts against the Company. This complaint has been consolidated with the complaint described in the immediately preceding paragraph, and was unsealed on June 30, 2009. The Company was served with the complaint on or about September 9, 2009. With leave of Court, Relator filed a Second Amended Complaint on June 23, 2010. The complaint alleges violations of the federal False Claims Act and various state and local false claims acts, fraudulent billing, illegal kickbacks, conspiracy, and wrongful termination based on allegations that the Company promoted the sale rather than the

 

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (cont.)

 

rental of bone growth stimulation devices, systematically overcharged for these products, provided physicians kickbacks in the form of free units, referral fees, and fitting fees. The complaint also alleges that TRICARE has been reimbursing the Company for its Cervical Stim® product without approval to do so. On or about November 4, 2010, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts granted in part and denied in part the Company’s motion to dismiss. The Company intends to defend vigorously against this lawsuit.

The Company’s subsidiary, Breg, Inc (“Breg”), was engaged in the manufacturing and sale of local infusion pumps for pain management from 1999 to 2008, when the product line was divested. Since 2008, numerous product liability cases have been filed in the United States alleging that the local anesthetic, when dispensed by such infusion pumps inside a joint, causes a rare arthritic condition called “chondrolysis.” The Company believes that meritorious defenses exist to these claims and Breg intends to vigorously defend these cases. On or about August 2, 2010, Breg received a HIPAA subpoena issued by the U.S. Department of Justice, which the Company believes relates to this matter. The subpoena seeks documents from the Company and its subsidiaries for the period January 1, 2000 through the date of the subpoena. Document production in response to the subpoena is ongoing.

Breg is currently engaged in the manufacturing and sales of motorized cold therapy units used to reduce pain and swelling. Beginning in 2010, several domestic product liability cases have been filed, mostly in California state court, alleging that the use of cold therapy causes skin and/or nerve injury and seeking damages on behalf of individual plaintiffs who were allegedly injured by such units. These cases are at an early stage and no conclusion can be drawn at the present time regarding their potential outcome. However, the Company believes that meritorious defenses exist to these claims.

On April 22, 2010, the Company obtained a copy of a complaint filed by NuVasive, Inc. (“NuVasive”) and Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. (“Osiris”) in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey against Orthofix International N.V., Orthofix Inc., Orthofix Holdings, Inc., Orthofix Biologics, Orthofix Spinal Implants, and Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation. The complaint alleged that the Company’s Trinity® Evolution allograft product infringed a U.S. patent owned by Osiris and licensed to NuVasive. The complaint requested the court to enjoin the sale of Trinity® Evolution and award damages to NuVasive and Osiris for the alleged infringement. On December 15, 2010, the Company entered into an agreement with NuVasive and Osiris settling all claims related to this matter. In connection with the settlement, the Company recorded a charge of $2.0 million ($1.3 million, net of income taxes) in 2010; the Company will also be required to make certain royalty payments to NuVasive in the future in connection with the sale of its Trinity® Evolution allograft product.

During the second quarter of 2010 internal management review of Promeca S.A. de C.V. (“Promeca”), one of its Mexican subsidiaries, the Company received allegations of improper payments, allegedly made by certain of Promeca’s local employees in Mexico, to employees of a Mexican governmental healthcare entity. The Company has engaged Hogan Lovells US LLP and Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP to conduct an internal investigation focusing on compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) and voluntarily contacted the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”) to advise both agencies that an internal investigation is underway. During 2009, Promeca accounted for approximately one percent of the Company’s consolidated net sales and consolidated total assets. The internal investigation is ongoing and no conclusions can be drawn at this time as to its outcome; however, the FCPA and related statutes and regulations provide for potential criminal and civil sanctions in connection with FCPA violations, including criminal fines, civil penalties, and disgorgement of past profits. On or about November 16, 2010, the Company received a subpoena from the SEC and DOJ seeking documents related to this matter. The Company is cooperating with the SEC and DOJ in connection with the subpoena.

 

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (cont.)

 

The Company cannot predict with certainty the outcome of any proceedings or claims made against the Company or its subsidiaries described in the preceding paragraphs and there can be no assurance that the ultimate resolution of any claim will not have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

In addition to the foregoing, in the normal course of our business, the Company is involved in various lawsuits from time to time and may be subject to certain other contingencies. To the extent losses related to these contingencies are both probable and estimable, the Company provides appropriate amounts in the accompanying financial statements.

Constitutional Reform of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; Dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles

The Company was organized under the laws of the Netherlands Antilles in 1987, with its principal executive offices located on the island of Curaçao. Prior to October 10, 2010, the Netherlands Antilles, together with Aruba and the Netherlands, formed the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with Curaçao being an island territory of the Netherlands Antilles. Under a constitutional reform of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, agreed upon among the Netherlands Antilles, Aruba and the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles was dissolved effective October 10, 2010. Also effective October 10, 2010, Curaçao became an individual constitutional entity within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, having its own government and laws. As a result of the constitutional reform and the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles, the Netherlands Antilles law ceased to exist and Orthofix is now a Curaçao legal entity subject to Curaçao law. Although Curaçao has become a separate and autonomous country with its own laws and regulations, the civil and corporate Netherlands Antilles law as they applied to the Company before October 10, 2010, did not change under the constitutional reform. In effect, Curaçao has adopted the Netherlands Antilles civil and corporate law (to which the Company was subject) that was in effect prior to October 10, 2010.

Concentrations of credit risk

Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk are primarily cash investments and accounts receivable. Cash investments are primarily in money market funds deposited with major financial center banks. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable are limited due to the large number of entities comprising the Company’s customer base. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and generally does not require collateral. Certain of these customers rely on third party healthcare payers, such as private insurance companies and governments, to make payments to the Company on their behalf. Accounts receivable in countries where the government funds medical spending are primarily located in North Africa, Middle East, South America, Asia and Europe. The Company has considered special situations when establishing allowances for potentially uncollectible accounts receivable in such countries as India, Egypt and Turkey. The Company also records reserves for bad debts for all other customers based on a variety of factors, including the length of time the receivables are past due, the financial condition of the customer, macroeconomic conditions and historical experiences. The Company maintains reserves for potential credit losses and such losses have been within management’s expectations.

The Company sells via a direct sales force and distributors. There were no customers that accounted for 5% or more of net sales in 2010, 2009 or 2008.

 

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16. Pensions and deferred compensation

Orthofix Inc. sponsors a defined contribution plan (the “Orthofix Inc. 401(k) Plan”) covering substantially all full time US employees. The Orthofix Inc. 401(k) Plan allows for participants to contribute up to 15% of their pre-tax compensation, subject to certain limitations, with the Company matching 100% of the first 2% of the employee’s base compensation and 50% of the next 4% of the employee’s base compensation if contributed to the Orthofix Inc. 401(k) Plan. Breg also sponsors a 401(k) plan (the “Breg 401(k) plan”). The Breg 401(k) Plan allows for participants to contribute up to 100% of their compensation, subject to certain limitations, with the Company matching 100% of the first $1,000 deferred. Blackstone also sponsors a 401(k) plan (the “Blackstone 401(k) Plan”). The Blackstone 401(k) Plan allows for participants to contribute up to 75% of their compensation, subject to certain limitations, with the Company matching 50% of the first 6% of the employee’s compensation deferred. The Blackstone 401(k) Plan merged into the Orthofix Inc. 401(k) Plan at the beginning of 2010. During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, expenses incurred relating to 401(k) Plans, including matching contributions, were approximately $2.8 million, $1.9 million and $1.8 million, respectively.

The Company operates defined contribution pension plans for its other International employees not described above meeting minimum service requirements. The Company’s expenses for such pension contributions during 2010, 2009 and 2008 were $0.7 million, $1.0 million and $1.0 million, respectively.

Under Italian Law, Orthofix S.r.l. accrues, on behalf of its employees, deferred compensation, which is paid on termination of employment. Each year’s provision for deferred compensation is based on a percentage of the employee’s current annual remuneration plus an annual charge. Deferred compensation is also accrued for the leaving indemnity payable to agents in case of dismissal which is regulated by a national contract and is equal to approximately 3.5% of total commissions earned from the Company. The Company’s expense for deferred compensation during 2010, 2009 and 2008 was approximately $0.1 million, $0.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively. Deferred compensation payments of $0.2 million, $0.6 million and $0.5 million were made in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The balance as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 of $1.5 million and $1.7 million, respectively, represents the amount which would be payable if all the employees and agents had terminated employment at that date and is included in other long-term liabilities.

The Orthofix Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”), administered by the Board of Directors of the Company, effective January 1, 2007, and as amended and restated effective January 1, 2009, is a plan intended to allow a select group of key management and highly compensated employees of the Company to defer the receipt of compensation that would otherwise be payable to them. The terms of this plan are intended to comply in all respects with the provisions of Code Section 409A and Code Section 457A. Under the Plan, employees of the Company and its subsidiaries are eligible to participate if the employee is in management or a highly compensated employee and is named by the Board of Directors to be a participant in the Plan. All directors were eligible to participate in the Plan, but effective January 1, 2009, they were prohibited from further participation, unless a director performs services as an employee attributable, for tax purposes, to any U.S. subsidiary of the Company. An eligible employee may elect to enter into a salary deferral commitment and/or a director’s fees deferral commitment with respect to any plan year by submitting a participation agreement to the plan administrator by December 31 of the calendar year immediately preceding the plan year. Further, an eligible employee may elect to enter into a bonus deferral commitment with respect to bonus compensation earned during any plan year by submitting a participation agreement to the plan administrator by December 31 of the calendar year immediately preceding the plan year. Deferral commitments can be stated as a percentage or a flat dollar amount as allowed by the plan administrator. A participant’s participation agreement will remain in effect only for the immediately succeeding plan year. Distributions are made in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A.

 

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17. Share-based compensation plans

At December 31, 2010, the Company had three stock option and award plans and one stock purchase plan which are described below.

2004 Long Term Incentive Plan

The 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “2004 LTIP Plan”) is a long term incentive plan that was originally adopted in April 2004. The 2004 LTIP Plan was approved by shareholders on June 29, 2004 and 2.0 million shares were reserved for issuance under this plan (in addition to shares (i) available for future awards as of June 29, 2004 under prior plans or (ii) that become available for future issuance upon the expiration or forfeiture after June 29, 2004 of awards upon prior plans). Awards generally vest on years of service with all awards fully vesting within three years from the date of grant for employees and either three or five years from the date of grant for non-employee directors. Awards can be in the form of a stock option, restricted stock, restricted share unit, performance share unit, or other award form determined by the Board of Directors. Awards granted under the 2004 LTIP Plan expire no later than 10 years after the date of the grant. On June 20, 2007, the Company’s shareholders approved amendments and a restatement of the 2004 LTIP Plan, providing for the following major changes: an increase in the number of shares available for grant from 2.0 million shares to 2.8 million shares, a specific allowance for grants of restricted stock awards, and a provision for fixed awards to non-employee directors on the date of their first election to the Board and on each subsequent re-election. On June 19, 2008, the Company’s shareholders approved further amendments to the 2004 LTIP Plan to increase the number of shares available for grant from 2.8 million shares to 3.1 million shares, to increase the annual grant to non-employee directors from 3,000 shares to 5,000 shares, and to limit in the future the number of shares that may be awarded under the plan as full value awards to 100,000 shares. At December 31, 2010, there were 2,512,177 options outstanding under the 2004 LTIP Plan, of which 1,909,464 were exercisable; in addition, there were 16,647 shares of restricted stock outstanding, none of which were vested.

Staff Share Option Plan

The Staff Stock Option Plan (the “Staff Plan”) is a fixed stock option plan which was adopted in April 1992. Under the Staff Plan, the Company granted options to its employees at the estimated fair market value of such options at the date of grant. Options generally vest based on years of service with all options to be fully vested within five years from date of grant. Options granted under the Staff Plan expire ten years after the date of grant. There are no options left to be granted under the Staff Plan. At December 31, 2010, there were 110,625 options outstanding and exercisable under the Staff Plan.

Performance Accelerated Stock Option Inducement Grants

On December 30, 2003, the Company granted inducement stock option awards to two key executives of Breg, in conjunction with the acquisition of Breg. The exercise price was fixed at $38.00 per share on November 20, 2003, when the Company announced it had entered into an agreement to acquire Breg. The inducement grants included both service-based and performance-based vesting provisions. The inducement grants became 100% vested on the fourth anniversary of the grant date but are subject to certain exercisability limitations. Following vesting on December 30, 2007, the original inducement grants limited the executives’ ability to exercise specific numbers of options during the years 2008 – 2012. Prior to the options fully vesting and as an inducement for the executives to extend the term of their employment agreements for one year, in November 2007 the Company entered into amended award agreements with the two executives. The amended agreements did not change the vesting date of the options, but provided that the options granted thereunder will only be exercisable during the fixed period beginning January 1, 2009 and ending on December 31, 2010. In December 2008, in order to meet certain requirements of Code Section 409A and the Treasury Regulations

 

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promulgated thereunder, and fulfill the Company’s desire to extend each of the executives’ terms of employment with the Company, the Company and the executives entered into second amended and restated award agreements. The second amended agreements provided for the election by the executives of respective periods during which they can exercise options. Bradley Mason has elected to exercise 50,000 options in each of the following periods: April 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010, January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011 and January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012. William Hopson has elected to exercise his 50,000 options in the period between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011. Subject to certain termination of employment provisions and notwithstanding any other provisions of the second amended agreements, any portion of the options that are not exercised during their respective exercise periods will not be exercisable thereafter and will lapse and be cancelled. At December 31, 2010, there were 200,000 options outstanding and exercisable under the inducement grants.

Stock Purchase Plan

The Orthofix International N.V. Amended and Restated Stock Purchase Plan (the “Stock Purchase Plan”) provides for the issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock to eligible employees and directors of the Company and its subsidiaries that elect to participate in the plan and acquire shares of common stock through payroll deductions (including executive officers). On June 20, 2008, the Company’s shareholders approved an amendment and restatement of the plan, providing for the following major change: (i) to allow officers and directors of Orthofix Inc. to participate in the plan on the same basis as our other employees, (ii) to provide that the Company will assume and adopt the plan, as amended, in lieu of Orthofix Inc. acting as sponsor of the plan, (iii) to allow non-employee directors of the Company to participate in the plan, (iv) to increase by 500,000 shares the maximum number of shares available for issuance under the plan, and (v) to provide that the determination of the value of common stock under the plan will be determined either on the first or last day of the plan year, whichever date renders the lower value. These changes were generally effective for the plan year starting January 1, 2009. In June 2009, the Company’s shareholders approved a further amendment to the Stock Purchase Plan to increase the number of shares available for grant from 950,000 shares to 1,400,000 shares. In May 2010, the Company’s shareholders approved an additional increase of 450,000 shares available for grant for a total of 1,850,000 shares.

During each purchase period, eligible employees may designate between 1% and 25% of their compensation to be deducted for the purchase of common stock under the plan (up to 25% for employees working in North America, South America and Asia, and up to 15% for employees working in Europe). For eligible directors, the designated percentage will be an amount equal to his or her annual or other director compensation paid in cash for the current plan year. The purchase price of the shares under the plan is equal to 85% of the fair market value on the first day of the plan year (which is a calendar year, running from January 1st to December 31st) or, if lower, on the last day of the plan year.

Due to the compensatory nature of such plan, the Company has recorded the related share based compensation in the consolidated statement of operations. The aggregate number of shares reserved for issuance under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan is 1,850,000 shares. As of December 31, 2010, 1,099,371 shares had been issued under the Stock Purchase Plan.

Inducement Stock Option Agreement

In the year ended December 31, 2009, 50,000 stock options were granted pursuant to standalone inducement stock option agreement, on terms substantially the same as grants made under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan. With this employee’s departure from the Company in 2010, only 16,667 of the 50,000 stock options granted remain outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2010. These stock option grants vest in one-third increments annually. There were no stock options granted during 2010.

 

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Share-Based Compensation:

As of December 31, 2010, the unamortized compensation expense relating to options granted and expected to be recognized was $2.0 million. This amount is expected to be recognized through June 30, 2012. The following table shows the detail of share-based compensation by line item in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 and the assumptions for each of these years in which grants were awarded:

 

(US$ in thousands, except assumptions)

   Year Ended
December 31,
2010 (1)
     Year Ended
December 31,

2009
     Year Ended
December 31,

2008
 

Cost of sales

   $ 210       $ 677       $ 175   

Sales and marketing

     3,505         3,045         1,890   

General and administrative

     4,105         6,467         7,731   

Research and development

     318         563         793   
                          

Total

   $ 8,138       $ 10,752       $ 10,589   
                          

Assumptions:

        

Expected term

     —           4.00 years         3.92 years   

Expected volatility

     —           45.0% – 48.7%         28.4%   

Risk free interest rate

     —           1.60% – 2.57%         1.52% – 3.49%   

Dividend rate

     —           —           —     

Weighted average fair value of options granted during the year

     —         $ 9.29       $ 7.51   

 

(1) The Company did not grant any options during 2010.

Stock Option Activity:

Summaries of the status of the Company’s stock option plans as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 and changes during the year ended December 31, 2010 are presented below:

 

     2010  
     Options     Weighted Average
Exercise Price
 

Outstanding at December 31, 2009

     3,477,623      $ 32.09   

Granted

     —        $ 0.00   

Exercised

     (237,376   $ 20.77   

Forfeited

     (250,778   $ 31.01   
          

Outstanding at December 31, 2010

     2,989,469      $ 33.20   
          

Options exercisable at December 31, 2010

     2,336,756     
          

 

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (cont.)

 

Outstanding and exercisable by price range as of December 31, 2010

 

     Options Outstanding      Options Exercisable  

Range of Exercise Prices

   Number
Outstanding
     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
     Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
     Number
Exercisable
     Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 

$10.42 – $23.58

     331,995         8.31       $ 20.23         124,518       $ 19.57   

$24.01 – $25.05

     440,250         7.89       $ 25.00         211,584       $ 25.00   

$25.10 – $28.50

     69,917         5.10       $ 26.92         39,917       $ 27.27   

$28.95 – $28.95

     442,094         6.79       $ 28.95         310,185       $ 28.95   

$29.17 – $37.76

     483,991         4.43       $ 34.75         437,662       $ 35.07   

$38.00 – $38.00

     200,000         3.00       $ 38.00         200,000       $ 38.00   

$38.11 – $38.11

     323,372         4.95       $ 38.11         323,372       $ 38.11   

$38.40 – $43.04

     414,767         4.37       $ 41.43         406,435       $ 41.43   

$43.26 – $50.50

     275,583         5.83       $ 45.51         275,583       $ 45.51   

$50.99 – $50.99

     7,500         6.04       $ 50.99         7,500       $ 50.99   
                          

$10.42 – $50.99

     2,989,469         5.82       $ 33.20         2,336,756       $ 35.45   
                          

The weighted average remaining contractual life of exercisable options was 5.19 years at December 31, 2010. The total intrinsic value of options exercised was $3.0 million, $0.1 million and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and options exercisable as of December 31, 2010 is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying options and the market price of the Company’s common stock for the shares that had exercise prices that were lower than the $29.00 closing price of the Company’s stock on December 31, 2010. The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding was $4.8 million, $10.9 million and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercisable was $2.1 million, $1.9 million and $10,000 for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Restricted Stock:

During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company granted to employees 83,434 shares of restricted stock, which vest at various dates through December 2011. The compensation expense, which represents the fair value of the stock measured at the market price at the date of grant, less estimated forfeitures, is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Unamortized compensation expense related to restricted stock amounted to $0.2 million at December 31, 2010. No shares of restricted stock were granted in 2010 or 2009.

 

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (cont.)

 

A summary of the status of our restricted stock as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 and changes during the year ended December 31, 2010 are presented below:

 

     Shares     Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
 

Non-vested as of December 31, 2009

     62,161      $ 37.40   

Granted

     —        $ 0.00   

Vested

     (40,398   $ 40.09   

Cancelled

     (5,116   $ 32.50   
                

Non-vested as of December 31, 2010

     16,647      $ 32.38   
                

 

18. Earnings per share

For each of the three years ended December 31, 2010, there were no adjustments to net income (loss) for purposes of calculating basic and diluted net income (loss) available to common shareholders. The following is a reconciliation of the weighted average shares used in the basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share computations.

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2010      2009      2008  

Weighted average common shares-basic

     17,601,956         17,119,474         17,095,416   

Effect of diluted securities:

        

Unexercised stock options net of treasury share repurchase

     311,589         83,469         —     
                          

Weighted average common share-diluted

     17,913,545         17,202,943         17,095,416   
                          

For the year ended December 31, 2008, the effects of all potentially dilutive options were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the Company had a net loss and, therefore, the effect would have been anti-dilutive. Options to purchase shares of common stock with exercise prices in excess of the average market price of common shares are not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share. There were 1,750,213 and 3,220,357 outstanding options not included in the diluted earnings per share computation for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, because the inclusion of these options was anti-dilutive.

 

19. Restructuring charges

In the fourth quarter of 2008, as part of the Company’s strategic plan to strengthen the business, the Company initiated a restructuring plan to improve operations and reduce costs at Blackstone. The plan involved the consolidation of substantially all of Blackstone’s operations previously conducted in Wayne, NJ and Springfield, MA into the same facility housing its spine stimulation and U.S. orthopedics business in the Dallas, TX area. The Company completed the restructuring and consolidation in the second quarter of 2010 and recognized a total restructuring expense of $3.6 million.

In the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company initiated a reorganization plan to further streamline operations and lower operating costs within its Spine, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine global business units. Employee severance payments will extend through the third quarter of 2011. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $3.6 million, which were related to employee severance costs. No further restructuring costs are anticipated. Approximately $1.9 million, $1.3 million and $0.4 million were

 

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ORTHOFIX INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (cont.)

 

classified in the Company’s International, Domestic and Spinal Implants and Biologics segments, respectively. These restructuring costs were recorded in the year ended December 31, 2010 consolidated statements of operations with $1.6 million in selling and marketing and $2.0 million in general and administrative expense.

The following table presents changes in the restructuring liability, which is included within Other Current Liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009:

 

(US$ in thousands)

   Severance     Abandoned
Assets
    Total  

Balance at December 31, 2008

   $ 548      $ —        $ 548   

Charges under 2008 plan

     2,565        1,020        3,585   

Cash payments

     (1,287     —          (1,287

Non-cash items

     —          (1,020     (1,020
                        

Balance at December 31, 2009

     1,826        —          1,826   

Charges under 2010 plan

     3,550        —          3,550   

Cash payments

     (3,738     —          (3,738
                        

Balance at December 31, 2010

   $ 1,638      $ —        $ 1,638   
                        

There were no charges incurred during 2008.

 

20. Sale of non-core operations

In March 2008, the Company sold the intellectual property, business assets and distribution rights to the Pain Care® line of ambulatory infusion pumps previously designed, manufactured and distributed by the Sports Medicine reporting unit. The Company received cash proceeds of $6.0 million and recognized a gain on sale of $1.6 million.

On March 8, 2010, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement (the “APA”) in which the Company agreed to sell substantially all of the assets of its vascular operations related to the A-V IMPULSE SYSTEM® and related accessories (including finished goods inventory and tangible assets). At the closing, the Company received payment of approximately $27.7 million, which amount includes the estimated value of certain finished goods inventory conveyed at the closing, and remains subject to post-closing verification.

Pursuant to the APA, the Company agreed to enter into certain transition arrangements at the closing, including (i) a transition services agreement pursuant to which, among other things, the Company would continue to provide operational support with respect to the transferred assets in certain jurisdictions for a period of up to five months, and (ii) two separate supply agreements pursuant to which, among other things, the Company would provide manufacturing and logistics services with respect to certain ImPads for a period of two years and provide other products for a period of 90 days. During the second and third quarters of 2010, the Company completed the transition services agreement and one of the supply agreements (which supplies the other products). The Company also agreed to enter into a 5-year noncompetition agreement at closing with respect to the business of the assets being transferred. Due to the continuing contractual involvement of these agreements, the transaction has not been presented as discontinued operations.

 

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ORTHOFIX INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (cont.)

 

The following table presents the value of the asset disposition, the cash purchase price, cash proceeds received, net of certain litigation costs and the gain on the sale of the vascular operations as shown in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

(US$ in thousands)

   Total  

Cash proceeds, net of litigation (1)

   $ 24,215   

Less:

  

Transaction related expenses

     2,253   

Inventory and property, plant and equipment

     2,369   

Goodwill and intangible assets

     7,574   
        

Gain on sale of vascular operations

     12,019   

Income tax expense

     3,498   
        

Gain on sale of vascular operations, net of taxes

   $ 8,521   
        

 

(1) In conjunction with the sale of the vascular operations, the Company settled an outstanding litigation claim by the former patent holders for $3.5 million.

 

21. Quarterly financial data (unaudited)

(U.S. Dollars, in thousands, except per share data)

 

     1st
Quarter
    2nd
Quarter
     3rd
Quarter
     4th
Quarter
     Year  

2010

             

Net sales

   $ 138,823      $ 142,845       $ 138,906       $ 143,796       $ 564,370   

Gross profit

     106,129        108,758         106,640         111,127         432,654   

Net income

     17,492 (1)      10,232         8,520         7,964         44,208   

Net income per common share:

             

Basic

   $ 1.00 (2)    $ 0.58       $ 0.48       $ 0.45       $ 2.51   

Diluted

   $ 0.99 (2)    $ 0.57       $ 0.48       $ 0.44       $ 2.47   

2009

             

Net sales

   $ 128,975      $ 137,546       $ 135,098       $ 144,016       $ 545,635   

Gross profit

     96,168        100,637         103,113         107,267         407,185   

Net income

     2,879        5,944         6,188         9,461         24,472   

Net income per common share:

             

Basic

   $ 0.17      $ 0.35       $ 0.36       $ 0.55       $ 1.43   

Diluted

   $ 0.17      $ 0.35       $ 0.36       $ 0.55       $ 1.42   

 

(1) Includes the $12.0 million gain on sale of the divested vascular business (see Note 20).
(2) The sum of per share earnings by quarter may not equal earnings per share for the year due to the change in average share calculations. This is in accordance with prescribed reporting requirements.

 

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Orthofix International N.V.

Schedule 1—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Orthofix International N.V.

Condensed Balance Sheets

 

(US$ in thousands)

   December 31,
2010
     December 31,
2009
 

Assets

     

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 2,882       $ 403   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     489         488   
                 

Total current assets

     3,371         891   

Other long term assets

     113         279   

Investments in and amounts due from subsidiaries and affiliates

     307,397         247,530   
                 

Total assets

   $ 310,881       $ 248,700   
                 

Liabilities and shareholder’s equity

     

Current liabilities

   $ 1,879       $ 1,996   

Long-term liabilities

     8,111         6,435   

Shareholder’s equity:

     

Common stock

     1,772         1,714   

Additional paid in capital

     195,402         177,246   

Accumulated earnings

     98,327         54,119   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     5,390         7,190   
                 
     300,891         240,269   
                 

Total liabilities and shareholder’s equity

   $ 310,881       $ 248,700   
                 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.

 

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Orthofix International N.V.

Schedule 1—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Orthofix International N.V.

 

Condensed Statements of Operations

 

(US$ in thousands)

   Year Ended
December 31,
2010
    Year Ended
December 31,
2009
    Year Ended
December 31,
2008
 

(Expenses) income:

      

General and administrative

   $ (13,146   $ (10,444   $ (11,945

Equity in earnings of investments in subsidiaries and affiliates

     59,620        36,592        (215,310

Other, net

     (390     301        481   
                        

Income (loss) before income taxes

     46,084        26,449        (226,774

Income tax expense

     (1,876     (1,977     (1,780
                        

Net income (loss)

   $ 44,208      $ 24,472      $ (228,554
                        

 

See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.

 

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Orthofix International N.V.

Schedule 1—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Orthofix International N.V.

 

Condensed Statement of Cash Flows

 

(US$ in thousands)

   Year Ended
December 31,
2010
    Year Ended
December 31,
2009
    Year Ended
December 31,
2008
 

Net income (loss)

   $ 44,208      $ 24,472      $ (228,554

Equity in earnings of investments in subsidiaries and affiliates

     (59,620     (36,592     215,310   

Cash provided by other operating activities

     7,497        3,574        2,350   
                        

Net cash used in operating activities

     (7,915     (8,546     (10,894

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Distributions and amounts received from subsidiaries

     21,597        13,237        11,074   

Capital expenditures

     (5     (114     (196
                        

Net cash provided by investing activities

     21,592        13,123        10,878   

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Net proceeds from issuance of common stock

     7,854        70        1,734   

Contributions to subsidiaries and affiliates

     (21,274     (4,672     (11,165

Repurchase of equity

     —          (220     —     

Tax benefit on exercise of stock options

     2,222        25        22   
                        

Net cash used in financing activities

     (11,198     (4,797     (9,409
                        

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     2,479        (220     (9,425

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

     403        623        10,048   
                        

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

   $ 2,882      $ 403      $ 623   
                        

 

See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.

 

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Orthofix International N.V.

Schedule 1—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Orthofix International N.V.

 

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

 

1. Background and basis of presentation

These condensed parent company financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Rule 12-04, Schedule 1 of Regulation S-X, as the restricted net assets of Orthofix Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries exceed 25% of the consolidated net assets of Orthofix International N.V. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”). This information should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this filing.

 

2. Restricted net assets of subsidiaries

Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries have restrictions, with an effective date of August 30, 2010, on their ability to pay dividends or make intercompany loans and advances pursuant to their financing arrangements. The amount of restricted net assets the Company’s subsidiaries held at December 31, 2010 and 2009 was approximately $178.5 million and $143.1 million, respectively. Such restrictions are on net assets of Orthofix Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

 

3. Commitments, contingencies and long-term obligations

For a discussion of the Company’s commitments, contingencies and long term obligations under its senior secured credit facility, see Note 8, Note 11 and Note 15 of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

4. Dividends from subsidiaries

Cash dividends received by Orthofix International N.V. from its consolidated subsidiaries accounted for by the equity method were $21.6 million, $13.2 million and $11.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

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Orthofix International N.V.

Schedule 2—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008:

 

(US$ in thousands)

          Additions              

Provisions from assets to which they apply:

   Balance at
beginning

of year
     Charged to
cost and
expenses
     Charged
(credited)

to other
accounts
    Deductions/
Other
    Balance at
end of year
 

2010

            

Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable

   $ 7,205       $ 8,746       $ (60   $ (8,641   $ 7,250   

Inventory allowance

     23,881         7,376         —          (1,832     29,425   

Deferred tax valuation allowance

     17,239         3,784         —          —          21,023   

2009

            

Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable

   $ 6,473       $ 7,335       $ (70   $ (6,533   $ 7,205   

Inventory allowance

     21,168         8,760         —          (6,047     23,881   

Deferred tax valuation allowance

     14,370         2,869         —          —          17,239   

2008

            

Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable

   $ 6,441       $ 7,261       $ (133   $ (7,096   $ 6,473   

Inventory allowance (1)

     9,893         14,858         (22     (3,561     21,168   

Deferred tax valuation allowance

     11,377         2,993         —          —          14,370   

 

(1) In the year ended December 31, 2008, due to reduced projections in revenue, distributor terminations, new products, and the replacement of one product with a successor product, the Company changed its estimates regarding the inventory allowance at Spinal Implants and Biologics, primarily based on estimated net realizable value using assumptions about future demand and market conditions. The change in estimate resulted in an increase in the reserve for obsolescence of approximately $10.9 million.

 

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