UTAH MEDICAL PRODUCTS INC - Annual Report: 2022 (Form 10-K)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 |
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 No. 001-12575 |
UTAH MEDICAL PRODUCTS INC
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Utah | 87-0342734 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
7043 South 300 West |
Midvale, Utah 84047 |
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) |
(801) 566-1200 |
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: |
|
|
|
|
|
Title of each class: | Trading Symbol: | Name of each exchange on which registered: |
Common stock, $0.01 par value | UTMD | NASDAQ |
|
|
|
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 ☒
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
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 ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☐ | Accelerated filer ☐ |
Non-accelerated filer ☒ | Smaller reporting company ☒ |
| Emerging growth company ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. Yes ☐ No ☒
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter. As of June 30, 2022, the aggregate market value of the voting and nonvoting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $335,723,200.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. As of March 24, 2023, common shares outstanding are 3,627,992.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE |
The Company’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders is incorporated by reference into Part III, Item 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of this Form 10-K. |
INDEX TO FORM 10-K
PART I
ITEM 1 – BUSINESS
Currency amounts throughout this report are in thousands except per-share amounts and where noted.
Utah Medical Products, Inc. (“UTMD” or “the Company”) is in the business of producing high quality cost effective medical devices that are predominantly differentiated by safety and improved patient outcomes. Throughout this report, “UTMD” or “the Company” refers jointly to Utah Medical Products, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries. Success depends on 1) recognizing and responding to needs of clinicians and patients, 2) rapidly designing or acquiring economical solutions that gain premarketing regulatory concurrence, 3) reliably producing devices that meet those clinical needs, and then 4) selling through
a)UTMD's own direct channels into markets where the Company enjoys an established reputation and has a critical mass of sales and support resources, or
b)relationship with other companies that have the resources to effectively distribute and support the Company's products.
UTMD's success in providing reliable solutions comes from its proven ability to integrate a number of engineering and technical disciplines in electronics, software, mechanical assembly and packaging, instrumentation, plastics processing and materials. The resulting differentiated devices represent significant incremental improvements in patient safety, clinical outcomes and/or total cost over preexisting clinical tools. UTMD's experience is that, in the case of labor saving devices, the improvement in cost effectiveness of clinical procedures also leads to an improvement in overall healthcare including lower risk of complications. UTMD markets a broad range of medical devices used in critical care areas, especially the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), the labor and delivery (L&D) department and the women’s health center in hospitals, as well as medical devices sold to outpatient clinics and physician's offices.
The opportunity to apply solutions to recognized needs results from an excellent core of practicing clinicians who introduce ideas to the Company, and key employees who are both clinical applications savvy and development engineering adept.
Domestically, UTMD’s medical devices are sold directly to clinical end-user facilities or a designated stocking distributor for a medical facility. In addition, some of UTMD’s devices are sold through specialty distributors, national hospital distribution companies and other medical device manufacturers. Outside the U.S. (OUS), devices are sold directly to end-users in Canada, the United Kingdom (UK), France, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand (NZ), and through other medical device companies and independent medical products distributors in many other countries. UTMD has representation globally in the major developed countries as well as many underdeveloped countries through more than 206 distributors, 108 of which purchased at least five thousand dollars in UTMD medical devices during 2022.
UTMD was formed as a Utah corporation in 1978. UTMD sold stock to the public one time in 1982 for $1,750 (before offering costs of $321). Since 1992, UTMD has returned $128 million in the form of share repurchases, and an additional $78 million in cash dividends, to its public stockholders.
Utah Medical Products Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary with manufacturing located in Ireland, was formed in 1995 to better serve UTMD’s OUS customers. In 1997, UTMD purchased Columbia Medical, Inc. (CMI), a company specializing in silicone injection molding, assembly and marketing vacuum-assisted obstetrical delivery systems. In 1998, UTMD acquired the neonatal product line of Gesco International, a subsidiary of Bard Access Systems and C.R. Bard, Inc. In 2004, UTMD acquired Abcorp, Inc., its supplier of fetal monitoring belts. In 2011, UTMD purchased all of the common shares of Femcare Holdings Ltd (Femcare) of the United Kingdom, and its subsidiaries including Femcare Australia Pty Ltd as a sales and distribution operation to directly serve Australia medical facilities. The addition of Femcare provided product and distribution channel diversification and expansion. Sales of the products, or derivatives of the products, from the four acquisitions noted above, comprised 48% of UTMD’s consolidated 2022 sales. In late 2016, UTMD formed Utah Medical Products Canada Ltd (dba Femcare Canada) as a sales and distribution operation to directly serve Canadian medical facilities. In 2017, UTMD’s UK subsidiary began to distribute its devices directly to medical facilities in France. In early 2019, UTMD acquired the remaining life of Femcare’s exclusive U.S. distribution agreement for the Filshie Clip System from CooperSurgical Inc. In late 2020, UTMD’s Australia subsidiary incorporated a New Zealand subsidiary in order to distribute devices directly to medical facilities in New Zealand. In 2021, due to BREXIT, Utah Medical Products Ltd in Ireland began distributing devices directly to medical facilities in France in lieu of the UK.
UTMD's corporate headquarters are located at 7043 South 300 West, Midvale, Utah 84047 USA. The corporate office telephone number is 01 (801) 566 1200. Ireland operations are located at Athlone Business and Technology Park, Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland. The Ireland telephone number is 353 (90) 647-3932. United Kingdom operations are located at 32 Premier Way, Romsey, Hampshire SO51 9DQ, United Kingdom. The UK phone number is 44 (1794) 525 100. Australia operations are located at Unit 12, 5 Gladstone Road, Castle Hill, NSW 2154, Australia. The Australia phone number is 612 9045 4110. Canada operations are located at 6355 Kennedy Road #15, Mississauga, ON L5T 2L5, Canada. The Canada phone number is 01 (905) 795-1102.
1
PRODUCTS
More complete descriptions including part numbers and pictures of UTMD’s devices can be conveniently obtained at www.utahmed.com and www.femcare.co.uk.
Labor and Delivery/ Obstetrics:
Fetal Monitoring Accessories.
Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM) is the standard of care in labor and delivery throughout the modern world. While not all pregnancies are high risk, fetal emergencies can occur suddenly in seemingly normal labors. The use of EFM allows conservation of nursing personnel and has virtually eliminated intrapartum fetal death. Accurate determination of contraction strength increases the safety of labor augmentation and reduces the need for Cesarean section for desultory labor. Infusion of fluid through an intrauterine catheter may cushion the umbilical cord and improve oxygenation of the fetus.
To assist the physician in controlling the effectiveness of administration of oxytocin and monitoring effects of amnioinfusion, contraction intensities, uterine resting tones and peak contraction pressures are closely monitored through the use of an invasive intrauterine pressure catheter system. In addition, to help identify the possible onset of fetal hypoxia, correlation of the changes in fetal heart rate (FHR) relative to the frequency and duration of contractions are often electronically monitored. UTMD’s intrauterine pressure (IUP) catheters provide for clinician choices from a traditional fluid-filled system to INTRAN® PLUS, for over thirty years the most widely accepted transducer-tipped system. UTMD’s IUP catheters include:
·UTMD’s initial fluid-filled catheter kits utilized a saline filled catheter placed within the uterine cavity, connected to a separate external reusable or disposable pressure transducer. This product package, utilizing double lumen catheters, was the traditional mode of intrauterine monitoring prior to the introduction of INTRAN. An intrauterine pressure change was transmitted through the fluid column to the external pressure transducer.
·Introduced in 1987, INTRAN was the first disposable intrauterine pressure catheter that placed the pressure transducer at the pressure source within the uterine cavity. This design eliminated the complicated setup of fluid filled systems and provided more accurate pressure waveforms. INTRAN I was discontinued in 1995 in favor of the more widely preferred INTRAN PLUS.
·INTRAN PLUS, introduced in 1991, combines the transducer tip concept of INTRAN I with a refined tip design, a zeroing switch or button that allows the clinician to reset the reference of the monitor, and a dedicated amniolumen which provides access to the amniotic fluid environment which may be helpful in the diagnosis and intervention of certain fetal conditions. Subsequent enhancements to INTRAN PLUS included a viewport which allows physicians to observe amniotic fluid in a closed system along with alternative configurations for user preferences in tip size, zero switch/button location and amniotic fluid visualization.
In addition, adjunct tocodynamometer belts are provided by UTMD. Abcorp toco belts and straps for fetal monitoring by an external tocodynamometer are provided in latex-free form in several configurations. UTMD extended the product line to include Bari-Belts™ and Bari-Bands™, a series of abdominal belts designed specifically for bariatric patients and bands to accommodate patients of all shapes and sizes.
UTMD markets tocodynamometer belts, catheters and accessories, but does not market electronic monitors, the capital equipment that processes the electrical signals. UTMD continues to investigate the feasibility of tools that enhance fetal monitoring techniques.
Specialized Labor & Delivery Tools.
BT-CATH® is a patented uterine balloon tamponade catheter for controlling severe postpartum hemorrhage. Obstetric hemorrhage, which is unpredictable and potentially life-threatening, creates a medical emergency that is commonplace. The benefits of BT-CATH include the ease of rapid deployment and ability to monitor further bleeding after the tamponade has been placed.
The CVX-RIPE™ catheter is designed to mechanically improve the favorability of the cervix of pregnant patients at term gestation, for whom induction of labor is medically indicated. CVX-Ripe utilizes two adjacent conical silicone balloons, similar to the shape of an hourglass. This design is intended to allow the clinician to gently apply internal pressure to the cervical canal, as well as both the internal and external os, to reduce the time needed to allow induction as well as the total time to achieve a successful vaginal delivery.
AROM-COT™ is a finger cover with a prong designed to rupture maternal membranes with less patient pain and anxiety.
MUC-X is an aspiration device used immediately after birth to clear neonatal respiratory passages and reduce exposure to potential infections.
CORDGUARD® is a device which unifies the multiple steps of clamping the neonate’s cord close to the umbilicus, severing the cord without splattering blood, drawing a clean cord blood sample and assisting in the removal of the placenta. CORDGUARD’s sharpless, closed system reduces the risk of exposure to potentially infected blood, and consequently reduces the high cost of exposure treatment under OSHA and CDC guidelines. In addition, CORDGUARD facilitates obtaining neonatal blood that is otherwise hard to obtain safely and cleanly.
Vacuum-Assisted Delivery (VAD) Systems.
UTMD’s VAD Systems include CMI® soft silicone bell-shaped birthing cups and reusable hand-held vacuum pumps which are the safest products available for use in vacuum-assisted operative deliveries. UTMD’s soft silicone cup is a bell-shaped cup design that should be preferred for fetal well-being in low or outlet fetal stations with occiput anterior presentations, which represent more than 90% of the cases where VAD is indicated. Operative vaginal deliveries using forceps or vacuum-assisted delivery systems provide knowledgeable physicians with a trial vaginal operative delivery prior to a more invasive C-section intervention. Although there are risks associated with vaginal operative deliveries which may currently represent about 3% of all U.S. hospital births, the procedures are generally regarded as safer long term for the mother, and at least as safe for the fetus, as abdominal (Cesarean) delivery in comparable clinical situations. UTMD’s bell-shaped soft silicone TENDER TOUCH® cups enjoy a significantly lower reported complication rate compared to other vacuum cup designs, as evidenced by the FDA Medical Device Reporting System (MAUDE) which publicly lists serious injuries reported by hospitals using specific brand names of products.
2
Neonatal Intensive Care:
DISPOSA-HOOD™
The DISPOSA-HOOD is an infant respiratory hood that is used in the NICU to administer oxygen to neonates and flush CO2 (carbon dioxide) while maintaining a neutral thermal environment (NTE) critical to proper physiologic responses. The DISPOSA-HOOD, placed over the infant's head, incorporates a round diffusor connection specifically designed to disperse the incoming gases along the inner surfaces of the hood, rather than allowing them to blow directly on the infant's head. The design allows more precise FIO2 (fractional inspired oxygen) control, minimizes convective heat loss from the head, provides optimum flows for elimination of CO2 by ventilation and allows for humidification. DISPOSA-HOOD, in contrast to an incubator, allows for excellent access to and visualization of the underdeveloped infant. Because it is a disposable product, it also prevents potential cross contamination that might occur with an incubator. Less invasive than nasal cannulae, DISPOSA-HOOD avoids potential damage to fragile premature neonatal nasal/ orotracheal tissues, as well as facial tissues as cannulae are often secured with tape. A nasal cannula by itself cannot provide a NTE.
DELTRAN® PLUS
UTMD’s DELTRAN blood pressure monitoring system has been adapted specifically for use in the NICU. The streamlined version eliminates needles used for blood sampling, avoids the loss of scarce neonatal blood volume and provides a closed system that reduces the risk of infection. The system features excellent visualization of clearing volume, and one-handed use. UTMD continues its customization of Deltran kits for specific hospital applications.
GESCO®
In 1998, UTMD acquired the neonatal product line of Gesco International. GESCO, best known for optimally biocompatible silicone catheters, gained an early distinctive reputation for its focus on the special developmental needs of tiny, critically-ill babies.
A class of catheters called umbilical venous catheters (UVCs) are specially designed for administering vital medications and fluids immediately following birth through the infant’s umbilical vessel into the inferior vena cava. Because of the neonate’s small size and lack of vascular development, there is no better access to vital organs. The catheters are also called umbilical artery catheters (UACs) when placed in one of the umbilical arteries to measure blood pressure or monitor metabolic processes through blood analysis. In developing its UMBILI-CATH™ product line, Gesco pioneered the use of soft, biocompatible silicone catheters, helping to reduce the number of insertions required as well as other complications associated with invasive applications. UTMD has expanded the UVC product line to include catheters made from a proprietary thermosensitive polyurethane (Tecoflex®) that offers many of the flexibility and biocompatibility advantages of silicone after insertion, with the greater rigidity of polyurethane preferred by many clinicians for insertion. In addition, GESCO provides a convenient catheterization procedure tray of instruments and supplies necessary to place UVC catheters, as well as perform other similar procedures.
3
The primary distinction of GESCO products is that they were developed with the special needs of the neonate in mind, not just cut-down or smaller versions of adult devices. For example, in the case of invasive catheters, the introducer, the soft rounded distal tip, mode of securing to the patient after insertion to avoid migration, luer-locking hub with minimal dead space, number of lumens, catheter radiopaque striping for visualization, variations in catheter lengths and diameters and special packaging are all features specially designed for neonates. UTMD continues to modify product features to incorporate current neonatal practitioner preferences.
The soft, biocompatible silicone catheter concept had important advantages in other applications including peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICC lines), enteral feeding tubes, urinary drainage catheters and chest drainage tubes. GESCO developed and marketed initial versions of all of these neonatal products. In order to keep pace with the trend of caring for smaller babies, UTMD has added smaller diameter versions of its URI-CATH® and NUTRI-CATH® products. At the request of customers who prefer a stiffer catheter for insertion, UTMD added a Tecoflex polyurethane oral-connection only Nutri-Cath series.
PICC-NATE® is a percutaneous intraepithelial central venous catheter family of devices specifically designed to minimize trauma to the critically ill neonate. The product line was designed with the input of experienced neonatal medical practitioners for use as a long-term indwelling catheter system for single-use, therapeutic central venous infusion of drug solutions, blood products or other fluids and for blood sampling. The soft, strong silicone PICC-Nate comes in three diameter sizes, 1.1 Fr, 1.9 Fr and 3.0 Fr, and two hub configurations for securement. UTMD’s most recent addition, the tiny 1.1 Fr catheter, advances the ability of clinicians to care for smaller premature babies. UTMD added Tecoflex polyurethane versions in the same sizes that offer many of the flexibility and biocompatibility advantages of silicone after insertion, with the greater rigidity of polyurethane preferred by many clinicians for insertion.
UTMD developed a unique enteral feeding-only extension set named NUTRI-LOK® that addresses important safety risks in the NICU – inadvertent connections with IV lines and inadvertent disconnections of components of the system spanning the dispensing container through the infusion catheter. UTMD added dispensing syringes with interlocking connectors to its NUTRI-CATH/NUTRI-LOK family of enteral feeding devices. UTMD further expanded the NUTRI-LOK system with specialty extension sets for GI tubes and for continuous connection to a fluid pump. In addition, UTMD added variations in adapters and extension sets used with NUTRI-CATH. Recognizing the important need to prevent misadministration of enteral feeding or medication by the wrong route, the FDA in February 2015 released its guidance, “Safety Considerations to Mitigate the Risks of Misconnections with Small Bore Connectors Intended for Enteral Applications.” The guidance includes compliance with ISO 80369-3 standard connectors. The standard was released to create a universal connection that is not compatible with a luer connection or any other type of small bore medical connector. As a result, UTMD introduced an alternative enteral feeding family of devices incorporating ENFit™ ISO 80369-3 compliant connectors. These purple connectors are designed to replace Nutri-Lok connectors on catheters and extension sets. UTMD also distributes ENFit oral syringes.
UTMD replaced all DEHP plasticizer PVC materials in its Gesco product line that may come in contact with neonatal patients, addressing another safety concern related specifically to the possible maldevelopment of male neonates.
Other GESCO specialty products include a disposable peritoneal dialysis (PD) set that is a pre-assembled, sterile, closed system, called DIALY-NATE®. PD is an ideal method to aid compromised renal function in a neonate because critically-ill pediatric patients may not have sufficient blood volume to support hemodialysis. DIALY-NATE is provided in a form that allows timely PD implementation. A number of custom configurations of DIALY-NATE have been added to satisfy specific clinical preferences.
4
Other specialty NICU devices include a silicone oral protection device used to prevent palatal soft tissue injury by orotracheal tubes, called PALA-NATE® a pre-assembled, closed urinary drainage system, called URI-CATH®, which reduces risk of infection and valuable nursing time, and a lumbar sampling kit with a tiny, specially-beveled needle for obtaining cerebral spinal fluid samples, called MYELO-NATE®.
GESCO’s first patented product, HEMO-NATE®, is a disposable filter designed to remove microaggregates from stored blood prior to transfusion into a neonate where any deficiency can have an overwhelmingly negative impact on a neonate’s chances for survival, given an under-developed vasculature and small total blood volume. UTMD also introduced a new filter and an improved blood bag spike for HEMO-NATE, and a needleless version.
UTMD expects to continue to enhance and expand its neonatal product line, seeking to reinforce a reputation as having the most reliable and developmentally-friendly specialty devices available for the NICU.
Gynecology /Urology /Electrosurgery:
LETZ® System: FINESSE+ Generator; Specialty Loop, Ball, and Needle Electrodes;
The LETZ System (loop excision of the transformation zone) is used to excise cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and other lower genital tract lesions related to human papilloma virus (HPV) infections. The electrosurgery procedure with hemostasis has become the standard of care for HPV cervical infection treatment, replacing cold knife scalpel, laser and cryotherapy procedural approaches because it is economical, safe, effective, quick and easy to perform, has fewer potential side effects and requires little physician training. A major incentive for performing the LETZ procedure is that it may be performed using local anesthetic in a physician's office, eliminating the time and expense of hospital or surgical center admittance. Most importantly clinically, in contrast to laser (tissue ablation) and cryotherapy (freezing of tissue), LETZ provides a fine tissue specimen for pathological assessment.
UTMD’s LETZ System includes disposable electrodes, the FINESSE® electrosurgical generators and other miscellaneous components. The UtahLoop® disposable loop electrode, used to excise the tissue specimen, is a pencil like tube with a thin tungsten wire loop attached. The loop is available in varying sizes and includes a Safe T Gauge® that can be positioned so the physician can accurately monitor and control the amount of tissue being excised. Excising too much tissue can compromise fertility and result in premature birth. Excising too little tissue can result in failure to remove the precancerous tissue. UTMD continues to augment its specialty electrodes. For example, the Company markets a unique conization electrode for deep endocervical disease called C-LETZ®, designed by UTMD to limit the removal of healthy tissue margins that might compromise adequate cervical function. UTMD introduced the patented DXTender® electrode attachment that prevents interference with the colposcope during LETZ. UTMD also will continue to provide other components to augment the use of its market-leading specialty electrodes with other manufacturers’ electrosurgical generators.
After more than 20 years on the market, UTMD completed a significant redesign, and achieved certification to current EN 60601 international safety standards, for a FINESSE+ electrosurgical generator. The FINESSE+ design includes dispersive pad contact monitoring for improved patient safety, improved circuitry for computer controlled-output that provides a precise tissue specimen for histopathology, a more efficient output stage resulting in less heat generation and longer electronic component life, an update to electronic components which reduces the number of required components and increases service life, and an easy change internal filter for integral smoke evacuation, a unique feature of FINESSE.
FILTRESSE® Evacuator; Other Specialty Electrodes; Other UTMD Supplies and Gynecologic Tools; Femcare Trocars and Cannulae; and Femcare Laparoscopic Instruments and accessories.
UTMD has FDA clearance to market its electrosurgical system and tools for use in general surgery applications, including dermatology, plastic surgery and otolaryngology. FILTRESSE is a stand-alone surgical smoke filtration system that combines high filtration efficiency, low cost and convenient use in a surgical office setting. Other electrosurgery tools and accessories include disposable electrosurgical pens, dispersive pads, footswitches, filter packs, speculums, retractors, forceps, tenacula and hooks. UTMD acquired the distribution rights to a unique reusable four-way expander system which facilitates access to, and visualization of, the cervix, eliminating the need for less effective specula and lateral retractors. OptiSpec® is a patented ultra-bright light for cervical visualization without physician distraction during exams, pap smears and other vaginal procedures requiring direct cervical visualization without the use of a colposcope. As part of its acquisition of Femcare, UTMD acquired single patient use trocars and cannulae available in shielded and bladeless designs, suction and irrigation tubing, insufflation tubing and connectors, pressure infusor bags and control valves. Also acquired were Femcare’s hormone replacement therapy (HRT) trocar/obturator and HRT procedure tray for subdermal placement of hormone tablets, and a femoral sponge product used during joint replacement surgery.
5
EPITOME® and OptiMicro™ Electrosurgical Devices
After finding the general surgical market lacked a precision electrosurgical blade, UTMD developed EPITOME, an electrosurgical scalpel which delivers precise performance in surgical incision and excision with hemostasis while minimizing thermal side effects. Where rapid yet precise dissection of dense or fatty tissue is necessary, such as in mammaplasty or abdominoplasty, UTMD believes that EPITOME has no close substitute. Furthermore, an independent study concluded that the EPITOME scalpel provides a significant improvement over other devices in wound healing. EPITOME allows a rapid incision without countertraction, yielding limited morbidity, less post-surgical pain and cosmetically superior results. EPITOME is useful where minimization of thermal tissue injury is important but control of bleeding needed. A bendable version of EPITOME with a smaller active electrode was introduced later. Designed to significantly reduce the chance of tissue burns due to inadvertent electrode contact and where a smaller, bent scalpel tip is needed, the bendable EPITOME is of particular value, e.g., to thoracic surgeons in harvesting the internal mammary artery during coronary artery bypass surgery, as well as to otolaryngologists for tonsillectomies or uvulopalatoplasties, or plastic surgeons creating or working in a breast pocket during augmentation or capsulectomy.
UTMD introduced a product line of ultra-fine tipped microdissection needles, called OptiMicro™ Needles, to complement the Epitome Scalpel. Whereas the Epitome Scalpel has been particularly effective for large scale surgeries that entail a great amount of tissue cutting, the OptiMicro electrosurgical needles are particularly useful in small-scale plastic and reconstructive surgery applications where extreme precision and ideal cosmetic results are expected. UTMD added extended length OptiMicro needle versions useful in certain head and neck procedures.
Filshie® Clip System
UTMD acquired the Filshie Clip System as part of its acquisition of Femcare Group Ltd in March 2011. In 2022, sales of Filshie clips, applicators and accessories represented 24% of UTMD’s total U.S. Dollar denominated sales. The Filshie clip is a female surgical contraception device used for tubal ligation, i.e., placed on the fallopian tubes, generally laparoscopically in between pregnancies (interval sterilization), but also postpartum (following childbirth) during C-Sections. The Filshie clip, implanted in over six million women worldwide during the last 39 years, has empirically been proven to be the safest and most effective tubal occlusive device, is as easy or easier to achieve occlusion as any of the alternative surgical techniques, and has a substantially higher probability of reversibility when compared to all of the other approaches for women who later decide that they would like to get pregnant. Femcare has obtained numerous regulatory approvals for the Filshie Clip System, which throughout 2022 was sold OUS directly by UTMD and its subsidiaries to medical facilities in Canada, Ireland, France, the UK, Australia and New Zealand, and through specialty distributors in other countries. In February 2019, UTMD purchased the remaining exclusive U.S. distribution rights of CooperSurgical Inc. (CSI), allowing the Company to directly distribute the Filshie Clip System to medical facilities in the U.S.
There have been several tubal ligation methods with varying degrees of effectiveness, safety and opportunity to be reversed. The traditional tubal ligation approach, informally known as “getting one’s tubes tied”, is a form of female sterilization in which the fallopian tubes are severed, sealed and permanently pinched shut. If the sterilization procedure is carried out postpartum, the Pomeroy technique is often adopted. During this procedure a small loop of the fallopian tube is tied with a suture and the top section removed by cutting. A traditional method for interval sterilization is with the use of bipolar cautery (electrocautery). With this method, an electric current flows between the tips of forceps when applied to the fallopian tube. The current then “burns” a portion of the fallopian tube shut. Bipolar cautery has a higher rate of ectopic pregnancy, a life-threatening complication, compared to other tubal occlusion methods. Although these common methods are relatively easy to perform, their failure rate - defined as the percentage of patients having undergone the procedure who subsequently get pregnant - has been reported to be about 3%. The Filshie clip, which can be used either postpartum or at times unrelated to the post-partum period (interval sterilization), is at least as easy to use, has much less intraoperative risk, has a reported failure rate an order of magnitude less than bipolar cautery and is more effective and much simpler to perform than the Pomeroy technique.
6
Apart from bipolar cautery and the Pomeroy technique, other mechanical devices have been used but are no longer manufactured: the Falope Ring (or Yoon Ring) and the Hulka clip. Both these older methods had a higher failure rate than the Filshie clip, are associated with more post-operative pain and have generally been abandoned in favor of other sterilization techniques.
In more recent years, hysteroscopic sterilization devices were introduced as an alternative to laparoscopic tubal ligation. The devices were the Adiana by Hologic Inc. and the ESSURE by Conceptus, Inc. (acquired by Bayer AG in 2013). Both of these transcervically implanted devices are no longer being marketed; Adiana was stopped in 2012 and ESSURE was stopped in 2017. Prior to Bayer ceasing the distribution of ESSURE, the device had received a substantial amount of negative publicity regarding unwanted side effects, particularly from patients using social media. Unfortunately, because both the Filshie clip and ESSURE are surgically implanted devices designed to achieve sterilization by tubal occlusion, some readers of the media - including certain product liability attorneys - have incorrectly concluded that the negative side effects of ESSURE also apply to Filshie clips. UTMD would like to provide clarification to stockholders why this association is incorrect.
In particular, within a few hundred thousand implanted ESSURE devices, thousands of women complained about possible autoimmune responses, allergic response to nickel and/or significant chronic pain. These symptoms do not apply to Filshie clips as the ESSURE device and Filshie clips are substantially different in design and use. ESSURE, with components made of nickel, had a metal coil with a tip capable of perforation. It was hysteroscopically implanted (with some difficulty and risk of unwanted bodily injury) inside the fallopian tubes, which then caused scar tissue to grow around it over time and occlude the tubes. Filshie clips are clamped over the tubes, laparoscopically or following a C-section, with immediate effective occlusion and almost no chance of patient injury in the course of implantation beyond the normal risks of laparoscopic surgery. There are no nickel components in the Filshie clip. However, a minute amount of nickel does exist in medical grade silicone and titanium, generally accepted worldwide as the most biocompatible materials for human implants. A toxicology study by a reputable microbiology firm confirmed that the amount of nickel found in Filshie clips is significantly less than that found in normal drinking water and foods. Orthopedic implants, for example, are routinely made of titanium in massively greater amounts. Out of millions of Filshie clips in use, a few complaints have come from patients who suspected that they were allergic its components - including to copper, which is not in Filshie clips - but there have been no such reports from clinicians or in the clinical literature.
Pain associated normally with any laparoscopic procedure generally resolves within 48 hours, and is not severe, nor does it become chronic unless the result of an infection. Sterile Filshie clips are provided to the surgeon in validated sterile packaging. Nevertheless, pain is the most prevalent (but still rare) Filshie clip complaint. In women with implanted clips who have reported chronic pain, several other gynecological symptoms are typically present which are not related to Filshie clips. The obvious recourse for a person experiencing pain that she associates with an implanted device is to remove it. ESSURE, which is difficult if not impossible to remove, requires specialized surgical technique. In contrast, given widely available imaging and normal laparoscopic skills, Filshie clips can be removed safely, although removal is very rarely requested by patients or recommended by physicians.
A well-known and clinically-reported potential side effect of Filshie clip tubal ligation is clip migration. A clip-occluded fallopian tube eventually separates into two permanently closed stubs after tissue necrosis under a closed clip. Peritoneal tissue usually encapsulates an implanted clip while still in contact with the fallopian tube. In some cases where tissue encapsulation is slow, migration of a clip may occur after sterilization has been achieved. Although the silicone lining of the clip helps prevent clip migration and reduces the risk of tubal regeneration, one clinical journal publication indicated migration occurs 6% of the time. Dr. Marcus Filshie, the inventor of the clip, expressed his opinion in 2002 that more than 25% of patients will experience a migration of one or more clips, typically within the abdominal cavity. Once detached, the clip typically becomes encompassed in dense adhesive tissue without any symptoms. Rarely, a low grade inflammatory response can occur. Because clips are biologically inert and small, physicians generally have concluded that removing a migrated clip represents more risk to long term well-being than leaving it in the body. In 2019, UTMD retained an independent clinical expert, Dr. Nader Gad in Australia, who in 2010 had published the results of an almost twenty-year retrospective review of all reported Filshie clip migration events in the English literature, in order to independently review all subsequent reported complaints contained in the US FDA MAUDE website and the Australia TGA DAEN website over the most recent ten years. His February 2019 written report observed that “There were no serious clinical or life-threatening complications that related directly or indirectly to the Filshie clips or their migration.”
7
In late 2021, after the Filshie clip had been used in the U.S. for 25 years and implanted in millions of women, a clip migration lawsuit was filed in Texas. Subsequently, the same law firm solicited and recruited claimants in other states. As of the end of January 2023, there were a total of fourteen clip migration lawsuits initiated by the same law firm in twelve different states. UTMD has filed motions to dismiss in most of those lawsuits, one of which has been granted. A dismissal can be appealed, but as of yet hasn’t been. Management expects others to be dismissed based on legal grounds such as lack of jurisdiction or U.S. FDA preemption. In lawsuits where UTMD’s early motions for dismissal have been denied, those denials will be challenged by facts presented by UTMD at a later stage. In UTMD’s view, the current lawsuits which have not been litigated yet are without merit as UTMD believes that they are preempted by federal law.
The U.S. FDA approved the Filshie clip for marketing in the U.S. in 1996 after a Premarket Approval (PMA) submission, which included a prospective clinical trial involving 5,454 women implanted with Filshie clips. As mandated by the FDA, Femcare (the developer and manufacturer of the Filshie Clip System) is required to submit an annual experience report for FDA’s continual review and vigilance of the safety and effectiveness of the PMA device. In late 2016, the FDA approved the use of Femcare’s Sterishot single use applicator for implanting Filshie clips. (An applicator is a precision instrument which closes the implanted Filshie clip on the Fallopian tube to achieve proper permanent tubal ligation.) Reused applicators require extra handling, cleaning, resterilization and storage, which all have the potential to damage or misalign the delicate mechanism. Timely periodic servicing and recalibration is needed, but often not sought by hospitals. In addition, the reuse of a surgical instrument introduces the possibility of infection if not properly cleaned and resterilized between procedures. The precalibrated, single-use sterile Sterishot applicator eliminates these safety, effectiveness and cost exposures. After more than ten years since being introduced outside the U.S. (OUS), the patented Sterishot is used in the majority of Filshie clip ligation procedures OUS, but was not effectively marketed by CSI, Femcare’s distributor in the U.S. until 2019. Beginning in February 2019, UTMD began directly marketing the Filshie Clip System in the U.S., strongly recommending that all hospitals use a Sterishot kit for each procedure.
PATHFINDER PLUS™
PATHFINDER PLUS is a proprietary endoscopic irrigation device that allows a uro/gyn surgeon to precisely irrigate, clearing the visual field, with the same hand that controls the endoscope, eliminating the need for a separate assistant to irrigate without visualization. An example of a procedure where Pathfinder has found particular success is ureteroscopic stone ablation.
SUPRAPUBIC CATHETERIZATION
The Add-a-Cath™ introducer is a Femcare device designed for easy and safe suprapubic introduction of a catheter for bladder drainage. Suprapubic catheterization is generally well-recognized as a drainage method with fewer complications than with urethral catheterization. In 2013, UTMD introduced suprapubic catheterization procedure kits featuring the Add-a-Cath introducer, which UTMD now distributes directly to end-users in the U.S. under the trade name Supra-Foley®.
LIBERTY® System
LIBERTY is a device for the conservative treatment and effective control of urinary incontinence in women. UTMD believes that LIBERTY is the easiest-to-use, most cost-effective incontinence treatment available that yields a therapeutic effect, not just a cover-up. LIBERTY consists of a battery-operated electrical stimulation unit and an intravaginal electrode probe. This physiotherapy technique, which can be done in the privacy of the home, involves passive strengthening of the periurethral muscles. Pulsed, low voltage, low frequency current is applied primarily to the pudendal neuromuscular tissue causing the pelvic area muscles to contract, leading to better muscle tone. Because electrical stimulation has no known adverse side effects, LIBERTY provides women suffering from mild to moderate incontinence an effective, lower cost and lower risk alternative to more traumatic treatments such as surgery and drug therapy.
ENDOCURETTE®
In cooperation with Mayo Clinic, UTMD developed an advanced curette for uterine endometrial tissue sampling in the doctor’s office. The sampling procedure is intended primarily to rule out precancer or cancerous change of the uterus in premenopausal women with abnormal uterine bleeding, or women with postmenopausal bleeding. The device is part of a class of catheters designed to be used without dilatation of the cervix and without general anesthetic. The inherent weakness of this type of device, which is related to its small size, is that it may not remove enough tissue of the endometrium for an accurate histologic assessment, in contrast to a more invasive D&C hospital procedure. The tip of the EndoCurette was specially designed to obtain a more thorough tissue specimen compared to other catheters used without the need for dilatation, and without an increase in patient discomfort.
TVUS/HSG-Cath™
In order to further assess persistent abnormal or dysfunctional uterine bleeding and other suspected abnormalities of the uterus, or as a next step after endometrial tissue sampling with an EndoCurette, gynecologists may utilize transvaginal ultrasound imaging of the uterus. UTMD’s TVUS/HSG-Cath was designed and released for marketing in 2007 to provide effective cervical occlusion that allows distention of the uterus to differentiate anterior and posterior endometrium, among other irregularities, together with minimal visual obstruction of the uterus near the internal os. In addition, the TVUS/HSG-Cath may be used in hysterosalpingography radiographic procedures to assess the patency of fallopian tubes. A related device acquired in 2011 is Femcare’s Spackman Style uterine cannula designed for the manipulation of the uterus and injection of fluid to test the patency of the fallopian tubes.
8
LUMIN®
LUMIN® is a gynecological tool developed by UTMD for reliably and safely manipulating the uterus in laparoscopic procedures. LUMIN combines the strength, range of motion and versatility of the higher end reusable instruments with the lower cost and cleanliness of the inexpensive less functional disposable instruments presently on the market, while at the same time reducing the number of tools needed to move and secure the uterus.
Blood Pressure Monitoring:
DELTRAN® Disposable Pressure Transducer (DPT)
In pressure monitoring, a transducer is used to convert physiological (mechanical) pressure into an electrical signal that is displayed on electronic monitoring equipment. UTMD developed and is now distributing its disposable transducer as a stand alone product, and as a component in sterile blood pressure monitoring kits through direct representatives and other medical companies in the U.S., as well as independent distributors and other medical device companies OUS.
The Company believes that the DELTRAN DPT which it designed over thirty years ago and currently manufactures, remains the standard in terms of accuracy, reliability and ease of use. Introduced in 1998, the DELTRAN PLUS provides a closed system for blood sampling, without the use of needles, reducing the risk of an unwanted infection for both the patient and the practitioner. In 2009, in conjunction with its other NICU devices, UTMD continued to configure neonatal Deltran custom kits which satisfy the special needs of conserving limited blood volume and protecting the neonate from infection.
Pressure Monitoring Accessories, Components and Other Molded Parts.
Components included in blood pressure monitoring kit configurations include transducers, flush devices, stopcocks, fluid administration sets, caps, pressure tubing, interface cables and organizers. The Company sells similar components designed for other medical device company applications which incorporate UTMD’s technologies and designs. DELTA-CAL™ is a calibration device used to check proper functioning of an arterial pressure system. In addition, UTMD sells plastic molded parts on a subcontract basis to a number of medical and non-medical device companies. In addition, partly as a result of its excellent quality system and ISO13485 certification, UTMD performs subcontract assembly, testing and packaging of components that are proprietary to other medical device firms. UTMD believes that this practice helps better utilize its investment in fixed plant and equipment, and spreads overhead costs resulting in better gross profit margins on finished device sales.
MARKETING and COMPETITION
UTMD divides its sales into “domestic” U.S. sales and “outside the U.S.” (OUS) sales, which are finished device and component sales to entities outside the U.S.
1) Domestic sales.
For domestic sales to end-users of finished devices, marketing efforts are complex and fragmented. UTMD’s marketing focus is with clinicians who take responsibility for obtaining optimal patient care outcomes, primarily through clinical meetings, trade shows and the Internet. In competitive bidding processes, UTMD must work primarily with administrators who are responsible for hospital purchasing decisions..
UTMD competes primarily on the basis of improved patient safety and reliable device performance in the hands of a trained clinician. A number of UTMD’s devices are strong brands because they are well-recognized by clinicians as clinically different and have been in trusted use for decades. UTMD’s broad offering of finished devices is comprised of dozens of specialty device types. Although there may be only a few competitors for each type, in the aggregate UTMD has dozens of U.S. medical device competitors. There are at least two competitors with significant market share for each of UTMD’s device types.
As a general rule, because of UTMD’s differences in design and reliability, competitors’ devices represent substitutes rather than equivalent devices. The Company’s primary marketing challenge is to keep its customers focused on those differences and their important clinical benefits. In recent years, access to U.S. hospital clinicians has become increasingly restricted and the involvement of clinicians in medical device purchasing decisions, which is critical to the Company’s success, has declined. To the degree that U.S. hospitals become less focused on patient safety and clinical outcomes and more on out-of-pocket unit price, UTMD’s competitive position weakens.
9
In 2022, UTMD sold components and finished devices to 146 other companies in the U.S. (OEM sales). For over 40 years, the Company has utilized its manufacturing capabilities and engineering know-how to produce high quality components and finished devices for other companies. For U.S. companies which wish to distribute their products outside the U.S., UTMD’s maintenance of certification to current ISO 13485 medical device quality standards is an important benefit. UTMD’s website, which lists its capabilities, is often the basis for contacts for new OEM work.
Although there are other manufacturers in the U.S. with similar manufacturing capabilities, UTMD’s primary competition comes from Mexico, East Europe, India and China device component manufacturers which have much lower wage rate structures. To the extent that the U.S. Dollar (USD) gains strength in any period of time against foreign currencies, UTMD’s ability to be cost-competitive with foreign manufacturers is diminished.
2) Outside the U.S. (OUS) sales.
OUS sales in 2022, as a percentage of consolidated total USD sales, represented 39% compared to 38% in 2021 and 39% in 2020. In USD terms, 64% of 2022 OUS sales were invoiced in foreign currencies. In addition, foreign subsidiary expenses are in the native currency of the respective country. Therefore, changes in foreign currency exchange (FX) rates can have a significant impact on UTMD’s USD-reported financial results.
Prior to 2011, with only a few exceptions, UTMD’s OUS sales were to other medical device companies and distributors, not to clinical end-user facilities. After the acquisition of Femcare in 2011, UTMD began a transition to marketing directly to end-users in countries where the Filshie Clip System had achieved significant acceptance. This also allowed increased distribution opportunities for other UTMD devices which previously did not have significant third-party distributor interest. In 2022, UTMD distributed directly to OUS medical facilities in Canada, the UK, France, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. In addition, the Company’s devices are sold in other countries OUS through over 200 independent regional distributors. UTMD’s website provides information that frequently results in unsolicited contacts from OUS entities.
DISTRIBUTION
An important success factor in the medical device industry is access to medical practitioners. In the U.S., the hospital supplier environment has consolidated as a result of group purchasing organizations (GPOs), or their equivalents. It is UTMD’s assessment that U.S. hospitals are not saving costs under GPO contracts when it comes to specialty medical devices that can reduce complications, utilization rates, clinician time and unwanted side effects, because administrators are focused primarily on out-of-pocket costs and miss the broader total cost of care issues.
The longer term overall cost of care in the U.S. will continue to increase, with quality of care lower, as innovative suppliers are excluded from participating in the marketplace as a result of unnecessary regulatory and other purely administrative burdens. The length of time and number of administrative steps required in evaluating new products for use in hospitals has grown substantially. As a potential negative factor to future performance, as UTMD introduces new products it believes are safer and more effective, it may find itself excluded from certain customers because of the existence of long term supply agreements for existing products. UTMD may also be unable to establish viable relationships with other medical device companies that do have access to users but lack an interest in the Company’s approach or demand too great a financial or administrative burden.
When U.S. hospital customers request it, UTMD provides its devices through national distribution companies, also known as Med/Surg distributors. Sales to Med/Surg distributors in 2022 comprised 14% of total domestic direct sales (excluding domestic OEM sales).
In the U.S., Canada, Ireland, France, the UK, New Zealand and Australia, UTMD sells its products with the support of its own directly employed customer service and sales force, independent consultants and selective independent manufacturer representatives. Direct sales representatives focus on applications for UTMD devices where customer training and support may be important. The direct employee sales force is comprised primarily of “inside” representatives who operate by telephone and email from corporate offices. The Company also utilizes independent sales representatives primarily on a growth commission basis. Direct representatives are trained to understand the medical procedures being performed within UTMD’s clinical focus. Through the use of its one-on-one contacts with physicians and other clinical practitioners directly involved in patient care, the direct sales force positions UTMD to gain market leadership with specific solutions to clinical issues. In addition to its direct representatives, UTMD utilizes third party consulting clinical specialists to augment its customer training programs.
10
Additionally, UTMD sells component parts as well as finished devices to other companies for use with their product lines. This OEM distribution channel is simply maximizing utilization of manufacturing capabilities that are otherwise needed for UTMD's primary business, and does not compete with or dilute UTMD’s direct distribution and marketing programs.
OUS, the Company and its subsidiaries distribute directly to end-user facilities in Canada, the UK, France, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia, and in 2022 sold to 206 regional distributors and OEMs (other medical device manufacturers and/or distributors) in over a hundred countries. Ten percent of UTMD’s independent OUS distributors comprised 78% of UTMD’s indirect OUS sales in the years of 2020 - 2022.
NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
New product development has been a key ingredient to UTMD’s market identity. Product development takes several interrelated forms: 1) improvements, enhancements and extensions of current product lines in response to clinical needs or clinician requests, 2) introduction of new or augmented devices that represent a significant improvement in safety, effectiveness and/or total cost of care, and 3) acquisitions of products or technology from others. Manufacturing process development is an equally important aspect that cannot be separated from the successful design and development of devices.
Because of UTMD’s reputation as a focused product developer, its financial strength and its established clinician user base, it enjoys a substantial inflow of new product development ideas. Internal development, joint development, product acquisitions and licensing arrangements are all included as viable options in the investigation of opportunities. Only a small percentage of ideas survive feasibility screening. For internal development purposes, projects are assigned to a project manager who assembles an interdisciplinary, cross-functional development team. The team’s objective is to have a clinically acceptable, manufacturable and regulatory-released product ready for marketing by a specific date. Several projects, depending on the level of resources required, are underway at UTMD at any given time. Only a few assigned projects succeed in attaining a product that meets all of the Company’s criteria. In particular, this includes a product that is highly reliable, easy to use, cost-effective, safe, useful and differentiated from the competition. Once a product is developed, tooled, fully tested and cleared for marketing by the applicable regulatory entity(ies) in the U.S. and/or other countries, there remains a reasonable probability it cannot be successfully marketed for any number of reasons, not the least of which is being beaten to the market by a competitor with a better solution, or not having access to users because of limitations in marketing and distribution resources or exclusionary contracts of GPOs.
UTMD’s current product and process development projects are in the following areas: 1) augmentation and internal manufacturing of existing UTMD devices, 2) neonatal intensive care, 3) specialized procedures for the assessment and treatment of cervical/uterine disease, 4) labor and delivery procedures, and 5) product and process development for OEM customers. Internal product development expenses are expected to remain in the range of 1-2% of sales.
EMPLOYEES AND OTHERS
At December 31, 2022, the Company worldwide had 186 full-time employees, 35 part-time employees, 6 regular consultants, 19 independent sales representatives and 8 outside directors of UTMD and its subsidiaries. The Company utilizes independent consultants and directors, some of which were prior employees. Almost all of UTMD’s internally-manufactured devices are made either in Utah or in Ireland. At the end of 2022, the average tenure with the Company of the combined 186 full-time employees worldwide is now 13 years. In Utah, 20% of full-time employees have been with the Company for more than 30 years. This experience conveys an important benefit due to the level of training required to produce consistently high quality medical devices and appreciation of how UTMD’s devices provide unique benefits for clinicians and patients. The Company's continued success will depend to a large extent upon its ability to retain skilled and experienced employees and consultants. No assurances can be given that the Company will be able to retain or attract such people in the future, although management is committed to providing an environment in which reliable, creative and high achieving people wish to work.
11
None of the Company's officers or directors is bound by restrictive covenants from prior employers that limit their ability to contribute to UTMD’s programs. All employees agree to a code of conduct and sign a strict confidentiality agreement as a condition of employment, and as consideration for receipt of stock option awards and participation in the annual profit-sharing bonus program. All employees participate in contemporaneous performance based bonus programs. None of the Company's employees is represented by labor unions or other collective bargaining groups.
PATENTS, TRADEMARKS AND TECHNOLOGY LICENSES
The Company currently owns eight unexpired U.S. patents, numerous associated patents in sovereignties OUS, and is the licensee of certain other technology. There can be no assurance, however, that patents will be issued with respect to any pending applications, that marketable products will result from the patents or that issued patents can be successfully defended in a patent infringement situation. The Company also owns thirty-one registered trademarks which have achieved significant brand recognition. The Company believes that its trademarks and tradenames, many of which have become well known in the global medical community through decades of successful use of the associated medical devices, likely have and will continue to have substantially more intangible value than its patents.
The ability of the Company to achieve commercial success depends in part on the protection afforded by its patents and trademarks. However, UTMD believes that the protections afforded by patents and trademarks are less important to UTMD’s business, taken as a whole, than a medical device’s established incremental clinical utility, which may be dominated by a number of other factors including relative cost, ease of use, ease of training/adoption, perceived clinical value of different design features, risk of use in applicable procedures, the reliability of achieving a desired outcome in the hands of different users and market access to potential users. In cases where competitors introduce products that may infringe on UTMD’s technology or trademarks, the Company has an obligation to its stockholders to defend its intangible property to the extent that it can afford to do so, and that it is material to the Company’s success. The Company must also defend itself if competitors allege that UTMD may be infringing their technologies.
As a matter of policy, UTMD has acquired and will continue to acquire the use of technology from third parties that can be synergistically combined with UTMD proprietary product ideas. During 2022, royalties included in cost of goods sold were $125. Other royalties have been previously paid as a lump sum, or were incorporated into the price of acquisitions or into the cost of purchased components which practice certain patents of third parties. Also as a matter of policy, UTMD licenses its proprietary technology to others in circumstances where licensing does not directly compete with UTMD's own marketing initiatives. During 2022 the Company received $20 in royalty income compared to $15 in 2021 and $20 in 2020.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
UTMD and its subsidiaries’ products and manufacturing processes are subject to regulation by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (“FDA”), as well as many other regulatory entities globally. The FDA has authority to regulate the marketing, manufacturing, labeling, packaging and distribution of medical devices in the U.S. Requirements exist under other federal laws and under state, local and foreign statutes that apply to the manufacturing and marketing of the Company's medical devices.
All manufacturers of medical devices must register with the FDA and list all medical devices produced by them. In addition, prior to commercial distribution of some devices for human use, a manufacturer must file a notice with the FDA, setting forth certain information regarding the safety and effectiveness of the device that is acceptable in content to the FDA.
Devices which are classified in Class I are subject only to the general controls concerning adulteration, misbranding, good manufacturing practices, record keeping and reporting requirements. Devices classified in Class II must, in addition, comply with special controls or performance standards promulgated by the FDA.
Except for the Filshie Clip System, all of UTMD’s present devices are unclassified, Class I or Class II devices. The Filshie Clip System is a Class III device which has more stringent regulatory controls. The Company is in compliance with all applicable U.S. regulatory standards including CFR Part 820, the FDA Quality System Regulation (QSR) effective in 1997, also known as cGMPs (current good manufacturing practices). The Company’s most recent Utah FDA QSR inspection was in July 2014, which did not result in the issuance of any FDA-483 observations. In 2019, UTMD’s manufacturing facilities in Utah were audited and certified by a recognized authorized auditing organization under the new Medical Device Single Audit Program (MDSAP). In most circumstances, the new MDSAP eliminates the need for FDA QSR inspections. The Company’s most recent UK FDA QSR inspection was in July 2019, which also did not result in the issuance of any FDA-483 observations.
12
In 1994, UTMD received certification of its quality system under the ISO9001/EN46001 standards (“ISO” stands for “International Organization of Standardization”) which it maintained until December 2003. In October 2003, UTMD’s Utah facility was certified under the more stringent ISO13485 standard for medical devices. UTMD’s Ireland facility was certified under the concomitant ISO13488 standard. In July 2006, both facility ISO certifications were upgraded to the even more stringent ISO13485:2003 standard. Currently, UTMD’s facilities in the UK, Ireland and Utah are all certified under the most recent ISO13485:2016 standard. In 2020, UTMD’s manufacturing facilities in Ireland and UK were audited and certified by a recognized authorized auditing organization under the MDSAP. The MDSAP offers an “all-in-one” inspection regime to accommodate the quality system requirements of Australia, Brazil, Canada, USA and Japan.
UTMD and Femcare remain on a continuous periodic audit schedule by its independent notified body and authorized MDSAP auditing organization in order to stay current with international regulatory standards, and retain its certifications. UTMD and Femcare have received CE Mark certifications (demonstrates proof of compliance with the European Community’s ISO standards) for all major products.
SOURCES AND AVAILABILITY OF RAW MATERIALS
Most of the components which the Company purchases from various vendors are available from a number of sources and in a number of locations worldwide. That notwithstanding, the Company maintains safety stocks that anticipate potential disruption to its supply chain from changes in government policies including tariffs, including the time required to source and qualify new vendors. Fortunately, given availability of its significant cash reserves, UTMD has had the financial ability to mitigate supply chain risk by carrying extra inventories during periods of increased uncertainty.
Alternative sourcing of various components is continually underway. Vendors are qualified by UTMD’s Quality Assurance. In the few cases where the Company has a sole source, it either maintains or has agreement with the supplier to maintain excess safety stocks that would cover the time required to develop and qualify a new source. The Company has a vendor quality monitoring program that includes routinely checking incoming material for conformance to specifications, as required per written procedures.
U.S. EXPORTS
UTMD regards the OUS marketplace as an important element of its growth strategy. UTMD is keenly aware that not only are OUS markets different from the U.S. market, but also that each country has its own set of driving influences that affects the dynamics of the nature of care given and medical devices used. The Company operates four OUS facilities; in Romsey, Hampshire, England; in Castle Hill, NSW, Australia; in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and in Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland. These facilities offer a number of advantages: 1) from a marketing point of view, better response to Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia customers, including a better understanding of customer needs, less costly distribution and, in the EU, duty-free access to 500 million patients; 2) from a regulatory point of view, faster new product introductions; and 3) from a manufacturing point of view, reduced dependence on one manufacturing site and increased capacity for meeting customer needs.
Total 2022 trade USD revenues from customers OUS were $20,310 (39% of total consolidated USD sales) compared to $18,395 (38% of total consolidated USD sales) in 2021 and $16,312 (39% of sales) in 2020. OUS trade sales (U.S. exports) from the U.S. to OUS customers were $4,256 in 2022, $3,994 in 2021 and $4,626 in 2020. U.S. exports represented 21%, 22% and 28% of total OUS trade sales in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The U.S. export numbers exclude Utah intercompany sales of components and finished devices to UTMD foreign subsidiaries, which then distribute Utah-made components and finished devices as part of their sales to OUS customers.
For sales by OUS geographic area, please see note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
13
BACKLOG
Backlog is defined as orders received and accepted by UTMD which have not shipped yet. As a supplier of primarily disposable hospital products, the nature of UTMD’s non-distributor and non-OEM business requires fast response to customer orders. Virtually all direct shipments to end-user facilities are accomplished within a few days of acceptance of purchase orders. Consequently, UTMD’s backlog at any point in time is comprised mainly of orders from OEM and independent distributors, which purchase in larger quantities, at less frequent intervals with fluctuating order patterns. Backlog shippable in less than 90 days was $5,605 as of January 1, 2023 compared to $4,956 as of January 1, 2022 and $3,008 as of January 1, 2021.
SEASONAL ASPECTS
The Company's business is generally not affected by seasonal factors, but it is affected by uneven purchasing patterns of OEM customers and independent distributors.
PRODUCT LIABILITY RISK MANAGEMENT
The risk of product liability lawsuits is a negative factor in the medical device industry because devices are frequently used in inherently risky situations to help clinicians achieve a more positive outcome than what might otherwise be the case. In any lawsuit against a company where an individual plaintiff claims to have suffered permanent physical injury, a possibility of a large award for damages exists whether or not a causal relationship exists.
UTMD is self-insured for product liability risk, and reserves funds against its current performance on an ongoing basis to provide for its costs of defense should any lawsuits be filed. UTMD was named as a defendant on six product liability lawsuits over the time span of the last twenty-nine years, excluding the Filshie Clip System acquired eleven years ago. Four of the six lawsuits involved a patient injury related to operative vaginal deliveries where a UTMD VAD birthing cup or hand pump was used. The VADS devices in all four cases did conform to specifications. UTMD was ultimately dismissed as a defendant in all four VADS lawsuits, and legal costs were not material to performance. In a fifth lawsuit, regarding the use of EndoCurette, there was no evidence of patient injury. The lawsuit was settled in 2010 for an immaterial amount to avoid the diversion of management time and substantial costs of litigation, even though UTMD was confident that the case was without merit. In a sixth, UTMD was brought into the lawsuit by a defendant physician, speculating a design deficiency in a Finesse electrosurgical generator (ESU) which had been in use for eighteen years before the injury event, and used successfully by the same physician in multiple procedures after the event. The injured patient did not allege any fault by UTMD. The case was settled in 2012 without any UTMD involvement or liability. The Company’s average cost of defense of the six lawsuits was $15/year, well below the deductible level of product liability insurance policies and hundreds of thousands of dollars less than product liability insurance premiums. The best defense the Company believes that it has is the consistent conformance to specifications of its proven safe and effective products.
After acquisition by UTMD in 2011 and prior to late 2021, there were three Filshie Clip System lawsuits, all of which were dismissed with prejudice prior to the conclusion of discovery. The average annual cost of those Filshie Clip System lawsuits since 2011 up to late 2021 was $7 per year (less than $25 per lawsuit to achieve resolution). However, in late 2021, Femcare was added as a defendant in a clip migration lawsuit in Texas, which has expanded to eleven other states with a total of fourteen lawsuits as plaintiffs’ lawyers have sought to solicit and recruit claimants in other states. There is no basis for a claim of either a poor device design which was and remains approved by the U.S. FDA, and has remained the same since 1996 FDA approval for more than two decades of use, or no evidence of defective clips implanted in the patients who have filed complaints, or no lack of proper disclosure to physicians who are learned intermediaries. Filshie clips have been prescribed by knowledgeable physicians for decades, and implanted in millions of patients. The current lawsuits are currently in the early stages of discovery and have not been litigated yet. Although the cost of defense will be unusually high compared to UTMD’s historical average, the Company believes that the costs can be absorbed without a material impact on UTMD’s overall consolidated financial performance.
Other than Filshie Clip System claims, there have been no product liability lawsuits for any UTMD device during the last eleven years. Except for the six non-Filshie Clip System lawsuits described above, there have been no other product liability claims filed over the last 30 years after distribution and use of over 20 million UTMD critical care and surgical finished devices.
Since 1993, during which time over one hundred million finished devices and OEM components were manufactured and distributed by UTMD and its subsidiaries, there have been no adverse judgments resulting from a claim of defect in UTMD’s or its subsidiaries’ designs or manufacture of products, or a fault in informational materials. Although it hasn’t happened in the past 44 years, a product liability lawsuit could result in significant legal expenses and a large award against the Company. In the current tort system, particularly in the U.S., meritless product liability cases do get filed where aggressive attorneys calculate that a company will find it cheaper to settle for what they consider a nominal amount in lieu of potentially substantial defense costs of discovery and going to court.
14
FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION
This report contains certain forward-looking statements and information relating to the Company that are based on the beliefs of management as well as assumptions made by management based on information currently available. When used in this document, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend” and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current view of the Company respecting future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risks and uncertainties stated throughout the document. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause the forward statement not to come true as anticipated, believed, projected, expected, or intended. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, projected, estimated, expected or intended. Financial estimates are subject to change and are not intended to be relied upon as predictions of future operating results, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or disclose revisions to those estimates.
ITEM 1A – RISK FACTORS
Legislative or executive order healthcare interference in the United States renders the U.S. medical device marketplace unpredictable. A fully government-run healthcare system would likely eliminate healthcare consumer choice as well as commercial incentives for innovation. Restrictions on “nonessential” medical procedures during a pandemic reduce the demand for certain of UTMD’s medical devices.
Increasing regulatory burdens, including premarketing approval delays, may result in significant loss of revenue, unpredictable costs and loss of management focus on developing and marketing products that improve the quality of healthcare:
Thousands of small focused medical device manufacturers including UTMD that do not have the overhead structure that the few large medical device companies can afford are increasingly burdened with bureaucratic and underqualified regulator demands that are not reasonably related to assuring the safety or effectiveness of the devices that they provide. Premarketing submission administrative burdens, and substantial “user fees” or notified body review fees, represent a significant non-clinical and/or non-scientific barrier to new product introduction, resulting in lack of investment or delays to revenues from new or improved devices. The risks associated with such circumstances relate not only to substantial out-of-pocket costs, including potential litigation in millions of dollars, but also loss of business and a diversion of attention of key employees for an extended period of time from managing their normal responsibilities, particularly in new product development and routine quality assurance activities.
Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs) in the U.S. add non-productive costs, weaken the Company’s marketing and sales efforts and cause lower revenues by restricting access:
GPOs, theoretically acting as bargaining agents for member hospitals, but actually collecting revenues from the companies that they are negotiating with, have made a concerted effort to turn medical devices that convey special patient safety advantages and better health outcomes, like UTMD’s, into undifferentiated commodities. GPOs have been granted an antitrust exemption by the U.S. Congress. Otherwise, their business model based on “kickbacks” would be a violation of law. Despite rhetoric otherwise, these bureaucratic entities do not recognize or understand the overall cost of care as it relates to safety and effectiveness of devices, and they create a substantial administrative burden that is primarily driven by collection of their administrative fees.
The Company’s business strategy may not be successful in the future:
As the level of complexity and uncertainty in the medical device industry increases, evidenced, for example, by the unpredictable and overly cumbersome regulatory environment, the Company’s views of the future and product/ market strategy may not yield financial results consistent with the past.
As the healthcare industry becomes increasingly bureaucratic it puts smaller companies like UTMD at a competitive disadvantage:
An aging population is placing greater burdens on healthcare systems, particularly hospitals. The length of time and number of administrative steps required in adopting new products for use in hospitals has grown substantially in recent years. Smaller companies like UTMD typically do not have the administrative resources to deal with broad new administrative requirements, resulting in either loss of revenue or increased costs. As UTMD introduces new products it believes are safer and more effective, it may find itself excluded from certain clinical users because of the existence of long term supply agreements for preexisting products, particularly from competitors which offer hospitals a broader range of products and services. Restrictions used by hospital administrators to limit clinician involvement in device purchasing decisions makes communicating UTMD’s clinical advantages more difficult.
15
A product liability lawsuit could result in significant legal expenses and a large award against the Company:
UTMD’s devices are frequently used in inherently risky situations to help physicians achieve a more positive outcome than what might otherwise be the case. In any lawsuit where an individual plaintiff suffered permanent physical injury, the possibility of a large award for damages exists whether or not a causal relationship exists.
The Company’s reliance on third party distributors in some markets may result in less predictable revenues:
UTMD’s distributors have varying expertise in marketing and selling specialty medical devices. They also sell other devices that may result in less focus on the Company’s products. In some countries, notably China, Pakistan and India not subject to similarly rigorous standards, a distributor of UTMD’s products may eventually become a competitor with a cheaper but lower quality version of UTMD’s devices.
The loss of one or more key employees could negatively affect UTMD performance:
In a small company with limited resources, the distraction or loss of key personnel at any point in time may be disruptive to performance. The Company’s benefits programs are key to recruiting and retaining talented employees. An increase in UTMD’s employee healthcare plan costs, for example, may cause the Company to have to reduce coverages which in turn represents a risk to retaining key employees.
Fluctuations in foreign currencies relative to the USD can result in significant differences in period-to-period financial results:
Since a significant portion of UTMD’s sales are invoiced in foreign currencies and consolidated financial results are reported in USD terms, a stronger USD can have negative revenue effects. Conversely, a weaker USD would increase foreign subsidiary operating costs in USD terms. For the portion of sales to foreign entities made in fixed USD terms, a stronger USD makes the devices more expensive and weakens demand. For the portion invoiced in a foreign currency, not only USD-denominated sales are reduced, but also gross profits may be reduced because finished distributed devices and/or U.S. made raw materials and components are likely being purchased in fixed USD.
Trade restrictions and /or tariffs resulting from changing government trade policies have the potential to disrupt UTMD’s supply chain.
Lack of predictability of a major OEM customer currently representing over 20% of UTMD’s sales.
16
ITEM 1B – UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None
ITEM 2 - PROPERTIES
Office and Manufacturing Facilities.
UTMD is a vertically integrated manufacturing company. Capabilities include silicone and plastics-forming operations including injection molding, insert and over-molding, thermoforming and extrusion; sensor production; manual and automated assembly of mechanical, electrical and electronic components; parts printing; various testing modalities; advanced packaging in clean room conditions; and a machine shop for mold making and fabrication of assembly tools and fixtures. Capabilities also include an R&D laboratory for both electronic and chemical processes, software development resources, communications and computer systems networked real time OUS, and administrative offices.
UTMD owns all of its property and facilities with the exception of a long term lease with 10 years remaining on one section of its Midvale parking lot. As of the beginning of 2022, the Company's operations were located in 105,000 square feet of facilities in Midvale, Utah, a 77,000 square foot facility in Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland, a 38,600 square foot facility in Romsey, Hampshire, England, a 3,200 square foot facility in Castle Hill NSW, Australia, and a 4,700 square foot facility in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Manufacturing is currently carried out primarily in the Utah and Ireland facilities.
ITEM 3 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company may be a party from time to time in litigation incidental to its business. Presently, except for the Filshie clip lawsuits by a single U.S. law firm, there is no litigation or threatened litigation. The Company does not expect the outcome of the Filshie clip litigation will be material to consolidated financial results.
ITEM 4 - MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
None.
17
PART II
ITEM 5 - MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information.
UTMD's common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market (symbol:UTMD). The following table sets forth the high and low sales price information as reported by NASDAQ for the periods indicated:
| 2022 |
| 2021 | ||||||
|
| High |
| Low |
|
| High |
| Low |
1st Quarter | $ | 102.99 | $ | 85.46 |
| $ | 95.64 | $ | 82.18 |
2nd Quarter |
| 91.99 |
| 80.31 |
|
| 90.46 |
| 81.01 |
3rd Quarter |
| 97.03 |
| 80.10 |
|
| 97.79 |
| 84.60 |
4th Quarter |
| 109.50 |
| 80.68 |
|
| 133.87 |
| 88.29 |
Stockholders.
The number of beneficial stockholders of UTMD’s common stock as of March 5, 2023 was at least 2,000.
Dividends.
The following sets forth cash dividends paid during the past two years:
Record Date | Payable Date | Per Share Amount |
December 15, 2020 | January 5, 2021 | 0.285 |
March 17, 2021 | April 2, 2021 | 0.285 |
June 15, 2021 | July 6, 2021 | 0.285 |
September 16, 2021 | October 5, 2021 | 0.285 |
December 15, 2021 | December 29, 2021 | 2.000 |
March 18, 2022 | April 5, 2022 | 0.290 |
June 17, 2022 | July 6, 2022 | 0.290 |
September 16, 2022 | October 5, 2022 | 0.290 |
|
|
|
2021 total cash dividends paid per share | $ 3.140 | |
2022 total cash dividends paid per share | $ 0.870 | |
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
UTMD purchased 30,105 shares of its common stock for $2,495 including commissions and fees in second quarter 2022. UTMD did not purchase any of its own securities in 2021.
18
ITEM 6 - RESERVED
19
ITEM 7 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Currency amounts are in thousands except per-share amounts and where noted. Currencies are abbreviated as follows: the U.S. Dollar (USD or $), the Great Britain Pound (GBP or £), the Euro (EUR or €), the Australian Dollar (AUD or A$), the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) and the Canadian Dollar (CAD or C$).
The following comments should be read in conjunction with the accompanying financial statements.
Overview.
The 2022-year financial results demonstrate Utah Medical Products, Inc.’s (Nasdaq: UTMD’s) continuing excellent operating performance despite many challenges related to supply chain disruption, high input cost inflation as well as a continued shortage of labor with higher employee turnover. The Company exceeded its beginning of year financial projections for 2022.
Consolidated Income Statement | 2022 | 2022 Compared to 2021 | 2021 |
Worldwide Revenues | $ 52,281 | +6.6% | $ 49,054 |
Gross Profit | 32,196 | +4.1% | 30,917 |
Operating Income | 19,790 | +4.8% | 18,880 |
Earnings Before Income Tax | 20,659 | +8.4% | 19,061 |
Net Income (US GAAP) | 16,473 | +11.4% | 14,788 |
Earnings Per Share (US GAAP) | $ 4.522 | +11.9% | $ 4.041 |
For perspective, 25% of UTMD’s total USD consolidated worldwide revenues (sales) were invoiced in foreign currencies. Translating 2022 foreign currency sales into USD at the same exchange rates as in 2021 (“constant currency” sales) would have resulted in a 9.5% increase in 2022 worldwide revenues, with an 18.2% increase in sales outside the U.S. (OUS). In other words, constant currency 2022 worldwide revenues were $53,715.
Although UTMD’s sales in 2022 were helped by an approximate 7% average increase in UTMD unit prices, costs of manufacturing increased more than that, resulting in a lower gross profit margin (GPM). Despite an unusual litigation expense year, with better absorption of fixed USD operating costs, notably amortization of identifiable intangible assets, and, in this case, a favorable foreign currency exchange (FX) impact on OUS expenses, UTMD’s Operating Income Margin was less diluted than its GPM. Combined with Operating Income, higher non-operating income, predominantly from interest on cash balances, leveraged the increase in Earnings Before Income Tax (EBT) to be greater than UTMD’s increase in revenues.
The further leverage in bottom line results (Net Income and Earnings Per Share) compared to 2021, was the result of an unfavorable adjustment in UTMD’s income tax provision in the prior year, which was not related to normal operations. According to U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP), Net Income in 2Q 2021 was decreased $390 ($.107 decrease in EPS) by a long term deferred tax liability increase on the balance of Femcare intangible assets (the amortization of which is not tax-deductible in the UK) as a result of an enacted increase in the UK income tax rate from 19% to 25% effective beginning in April 2023. That is, the 2021 $390 increase in deferred UK taxes from 2023 through 2026, according to US GAAP, had to be booked in the quarter in which the tax law change was enacted. UTMD management believes that the presentation of results excluding the unfavorable deferred tax liability adjustment to 2021 Net Income provides meaningful supplemental information to both management and investors that is more clearly indicative of UTMD’s operating results in 2022 compared to 2021. Please note that the non-US GAAP exclusion only affects Net Income and Earnings Per Share (EPS). All other income statement categories at and above the EBT line were unaffected by the UK income tax rate adjustment.
Excluding the 2021 deferred tax liability increase and concomitant 2021 income tax provision increase resulting from the enactment of the UK corporate income tax change, UTMD’s 2022 non-US GAAP Net Income and Earnings Per Share (EPS) percentage changes are more modest and consistent with its increase in EBT, as follows:
Consolidated Income Statement | 2022 | 2022 Compared to 2021 | 2021 |
Net Income (Non-US GAAP) | $16,473 | +8.5% | $15,178 |
EPS (Non-US GAAP) | $4.522 | +9.0% | $4.147 |
Key profit margins (profits as a percentage of sales) in 2022 compared to 2021 follow:
| 2022 | 2021 |
Gross Profit Margin (GPM) | 61.6% | 63.0% |
Operating Income Margin | 37.9% | 38.5% |
Income Before Tax Margin | 39.5% | 38.9% |
Net Income Margin before tax adjusts | 31.5% | 30.9% |
Net Income Margin per US GAAP | 31.5% | 30.1% |
|
|
|
Measures of the Company’s liquidity and overall financial condition improved as of the end of 2022 compared to the end of 2021 with year-end working capital up 21% and Stockholders’ Equity up 7% despite $3,163 in dividends paid to stockholders and $2,495 in share repurchases during 2022 which reduced both cash and Stockholders’ Equity by $5,658. The improvement was the result of continued strong positive cash flow from normal operations. In comparison, UTMD paid $11,465 in stockholder cash dividends in 2021, with no share purchases. The Company also used $809 in cash in 2022 along with $552 in 2021 to invest in new manufacturing equipment and fixtures, as well as maintaining existing Property, Plant and Equipment (PP&E) in good working order. The two-year capital expenditures exceeded depreciation by $113.
More specifically, UTMD’s cash equivalent balances at the end of 2022 increased $14,077 to $75,052 from $60,974 at the end of 2021. Working capital increased $14,546 to $83,959 at the end of 2022 from $69,412 at the end of 2021. Total liabilities increased $1,121 despite an $1,010 reduction in UTMD’s deferred tax liability and long-tern Repatriation Tax liability, primarily because of the early dividend payment in 4Q 2021. The Company remained without debt. UTMD’s total debt ratio (total liabilities to total assets) was 8% at the end of 2022 compared to 7% at the end of 2021. Stockholders’ Equity at the end of 2022 increased to $114,254 from $107,138 at the end of 2021, despite the aforementioned $5,658 in 2022 cash dividends and share repurchases which reduced Stockholders’ Equity.
20
Productivity of Fixed Assets and Working Capital Assets.
Assets.
Year-end 2022 total consolidated assets were $123,874 comprised of $89,919 in current assets, $10,619 in consolidated net PP&E and $23,336 in net intangible assets. This compares to $115,636 total assets at the end of 2021 comprised of $73,158 in current assets, $11,067 in consolidated net PP&E and $31,412 in net intangible assets. Total asset turns (total consolidated sales divided by average total assets for the year) in 2022 were 44% compared to 43% in 2021, as sales increased slightly faster than the increase in average assets.
Current assets increased $16,761 due to the $14,077 increase in year-end cash and investments, $407 higher accounts and other receivables, $2,217 higher year-end inventories and $59 higher other current assets, due to the higher sales activity and higher raw materials purchases relative to demand. Year-end 2022 and 2021 cash and investment balances were $75,052 and $60,974, representing 61% and 53% of total assets, respectively. Net (after allowance for doubtful accounts) year-end trade accounts receivable (A/R) balances were $407 higher at the end of 2022 compared to 2021 due to 4Q 2022 sales $661 higher than in 4Q 2021, and average days in A/R of 37 days based on 4Q trade sales instead of 36 days at the end of 2021. Average days in A/R from date of invoice of 37 days is well within UTMD’s objective. A/R over 90 days from invoice date rose from 2.4% of total A/R at the end of 2021 to 4.2% at the end of 2022. The Company believes any older A/R will be collected or are within its reserve balances for uncollectible amounts. Inventories at 2022 year-end were 34% higher from the end of 2021.
Working capital (current assets minus current liabilities) at year-end 2022 was 21% higher at $83,959 compared to $69,412 at year-end 2021. Consistent with Federal and State rules, the TCJA repatriation tax current liability at the end of 2022 was $419 compared to $220 at the end of 2021. The end of 2022 working capital exceeds UTMD’s needs for normal operations in an uncertain economic environment, funding of future organic growth and timely payment of accrued tax liabilities, in addition to allowing for substantial funding of any future acquisition without diluting stockholder interest, as well as continued payment of stockholder dividends and repurchase of UTMD shares. Despite a negative impact on Return on Stockholders’ Equity of retaining a high cash balance, UTMD believes that in times of high economic uncertainty and change, maintaining substantial cash balances increases its likelihood of being able to take advantage of opportunities that will benefit stockholders in the longer term, and retain key resources that will help ensure continued excellent long term performance.
December 31, 2022 net $10,619 total PP&E includes Utah, Ireland and England manufacturing molds, production tooling and equipment, test equipment, and product development laboratory equipment. In addition, PP&E includes computers and software, warehouse equipment, furniture and fixtures, facilities and real estate for all five locations in Utah, Ireland, UK, Canada and Australia. Manufacturing facilities in Utah, Ireland and the UK are standalone buildings with a combined 220,000 square feet on 15 acres of land. The distribution facilities in Australia and Canada with a combined 8,000 square feet are part of larger industrial condominiums. Management estimates the fair market value of the five owned facilities to be at least $35 million excluding the contents, the fungible value of which increases stockholder enterprise value relative to most of UTMD’s industry peers which lease their facilities.
Ending 2022 net consolidated PP&E (depreciated book value of all fixed assets) declined $448 as a result of the combination of capital expenditures of $809, depreciation of $612 and the effect of foreign currency exchange (FX) rates on year-end foreign subsidiary asset balances.
The following end-of-year FX rates to USD were applied to assets and liabilities of each applicable foreign subsidiary:
| 12-31-22 | 12-31-21 |
EUR | 1.0694 | 1.1377 |
GBP | 1.2077 | 1.3536 |
AUD | 0.6805 | 0.7268 |
CAD | 0.7390 | 0.7902 |
The year-end 2022 net book value (after accumulated depreciation) of consolidated PP&E was 31% of purchase cost. End-of-year PP&E turns (Net Sales divided by Net PP&E) was 4.9 in 2022 compared to 4.4 in 2021 due to 7% higher 2022 sales and lower USD asset values of foreign subsidiaries, offset by investment in new PP&E assets needed for the future which are not in use yet. A future leverage in productivity of fixed assets which will not have to be further increased to support new business activity will be a source of continued incremental profitability.
21
Net intangible assets (after accumulated amortization) are comprised of the capitalized costs of obtaining patents and other intellectual property, as well as the value of identifiable intangible assets (IIA) and goodwill resulting from acquisitions. Net intangible assets were $23,337 (19% of total assets) at the end of 2022 compared to $31,412 (27% of total assets) at the end of 2021. Per US GAAP, intangible assets are categorized as either 1) IIA, which are amortized over the estimated useful life of the assets, or 2) goodwill, which is not amortized or expensed until the associated economic value of the acquired asset becomes impaired. Those two categories of Femcare intangibles at year-end 2022 were net IIA of $6,168 and goodwill of $6,163. The accumulated amortization of Femcare IIA as of December 31, 2022 since the March 18, 2011 acquisition was $22,814. The remaining Femcare IIA will be fully amortized in 3 more years. The goodwill portion of intangible assets resulting from the Femcare acquisition, which is not amortized, declined $744 due to a weaker GBP at year-end, i.e. the different FX rate on fixed goodwill in GBP terms. In early 2019, UTMD acquired an additional $21,000 IIA from the purchase of the remaining life of exclusive U.S. distribution rights for the Filshie Clip System from CSI, of which $17,316 has been amortized through year-end 2022. The remaining CSI IIA will be fully amortized in 4Q 2023. UTMD’s goodwill balance from prior acquisitions including Femcare, Columbia Medical, Gesco and Abcorp was $13,354 at the end of 2022.
Because the products associated with UTMD’s acquisitions of Columbia Medical in 1997, Gesco in 1998, Abcorp in 2004 and Femcare in 2011 continue to be viable parts of UTMD’s overall business, UTMD does not expect the current goodwill value associated with the four acquisitions to become impaired in 2023. Amortization of IIA was $6,417 in 2022 compared to $6,645 in 2021. The difference was due to £1 lower Femcare IIA amortization and the GBP FX difference on all Femcare IIA amortization. Specifically, the 2022 non-cash amortization expense of Femcare IIA was $1,965 (£1,589) compared to $2,189 (£1,590) in 2021. The 2023 non-cash amortization expense (included as part of consolidated G&A operating expenses) of Femcare IIA will be £1,589, or $1,923 if the USD/GBP average FX rate is 1.21. In other words, the 2023 Femcare IIA amortization expense is expected to be about $42 lower because of an average projected weaker GBP relative to the USD. Both the 2022 and 2021 non-cash amortization expense of CSI IIA was $4,421. The 2023 operating expense resulting from final full amortization of CSI IIA will be $3,684.
Liabilities.
As a reminder, payments for the Federal and State repatriation (REPAT) tax liability which resulted from the U.S. TCJA enacted in 2017 were 8% of the respective tax liability per year for the first five years, and will be 15% in the sixth year, 20% in the seventh year and 25% in the eighth year. UTMD’s total REPAT tax liability was $2,792. Calendar year 2023 represents the sixth year, so $419 is the current liability at 15% of the total liability, and $1,256 is the long term REPAT tax liability to be paid in years 2024-2025, representing the remaining 45%.
Year-end 2022 current liabilities were $2,214 higher than at the end of 2021. Ending accrued liabilities were $1,558 higher due primarily to $398 higher OEM customer deposits and an accrued stockholder dividend payable. The $1,070 stockholder dividend declared in 4Q 2022 was paid in January 2023, whereas the $7,309 dividend declared in 4Q 2021 was paid in December 2021. Total liabilities were $1,121 higher at the end of 2022 compared to the end of 2021. The resulting 2022 year-end total debt ratio was 8% compared to 7% at the end of 2021.
The year-end 2022 Deferred Tax Liability balance created as a result of the fifteen-year deferred tax consequence of the amortization of Femcare’s IIA was $1,513, down from $2,105 at the end of 2021. The difference in the $592 decline compared to the $416 tax effect of 19% (2022 UK tax rate) times $2,189 in 2022 amortization of IIA was due to the difference in the GBP FX rate on the remaining DTL balance at the end of 2022 as well as the USD/GBP currency exchange conversion of the IIA amortization during 2022. In addition to liabilities stated on the balance sheet, UTMD has operating lease and purchase obligations described in Note 14 and Note 12, respectively, to the financial statements.
Results of Operations.
a)Revenues.
Under accounting standards applicable for 2022, the Company believed that revenue should be recognized at the time of shipment as title generally passes to the customer at the time of shipment, or completion of services performed under contract. Revenue recognized by UTMD is based upon documented arrangements and fixed contracts in which the selling price is fixed prior to acceptance and completion of an order. Revenue from product or service sales is generally recognized at the time the product is shipped or service completed and invoiced, and collectability is reasonably assured. Over 99% of UTMD’s revenue is recognized at the time UTMD ships a physical device to a customer’s designated location, where the selling price for the item shipped was agreed prior to UTMD’s acceptance and completion of the customer order. There are no post-shipment obligations which have been or are expected to be material to financial results.
22
There are circumstances under which revenue may be recognized when product is not shipped, which have met the criteria of ASC 606: the Company provides engineering services, for example, design and production of manufacturing tooling that may be used in subsequent UTMD manufacturing of custom components for other companies. This revenue is recognized when UTMD’s service has been completed according to a fixed contractual agreement.
Terms of sale are established in advance of UTMD’s acceptance of customer orders. In the U.S., Ireland, UK, France, Australia and Canada since the beginning of 2017, UTMD has generally accepted orders directly from and shipped directly to end-user clinical facilities, as well as third party medical/surgical distributors, under UTMD’s Standard Terms and Conditions (T&C) of Sale. About 14% of UTMD’s domestic end-user sales went through third party med/surg distributors which contract separately with clinical facilities to provide purchasing, storage and scheduled delivery functions for the applicable facility. UTMD’s T&C of Sale to end-user medical facilities are substantially the same in the U.S., Canada, Ireland, UK, France, Australia and New Zealand.
UTMD may allow separate discounted pricing agreements with a specific clinical facility or group of affiliated facilities based on volume of purchases. Pricing agreements which are documented arrangements with clinical facilities, or groups of affiliated facilities, if applicable, are established in advance of orders accepted or shipments made. For existing customers, past actual shipment volumes typically determine the fixed price by part number for the next agreement period. For new customers, the customer’s best estimate of volume is usually accepted by UTMD for determining the ensuing fixed prices for the agreement period. Prices are not adjusted after an order is accepted. For the sake of clarity, the separate pricing agreements with clinical facilities based on volume of purchases disclosure is not inconsistent with UTMD’s disclosure above that the selling price is fixed prior to the acceptance of a specific customer order.
UTMD’s global consolidated trade sales are comprised of domestic and OUS sales. Domestic sales in 2022 included 1) direct domestic sales, sales of finished devices to end-user facilities and med/surg distributors in the U.S., and 2) domestic OEM sales, sales of components or finished products, which may not be medical devices, to other companies for inclusion in their products. OUS sales are export sales from UTMD in the U.S. to customers outside the U.S. invoiced in USD, and sales from UTMD subsidiaries in Ireland, Canada, Australia and the UK which may be invoiced in EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD or USD. The term “trade” means sales to customers which are not part of UTMD. Each UTMD manufacturing entity had 2022 intercompany sales of components and/or finished devices to other UTMD entities.
The following table shows the 2022 USD-denominated revenues by sales channel compared to 2021. Because domestic sales in foreign countries were invoiced in native currencies, the comparison in USD terms includes the change in foreign currency translation (FX) rates. In other words, just the FX rate relative to the USD in 2022 compared to 2021, reduced Canada domestic sales by 3.7%, Ireland domestic sales by 11.1%, UK domestic sales by 10.7%, France domestic sales by 10.9% and Australia/NZ domestic sales by 7.7%.
Revenue [USD denominated] | 2022 | 2022 Compared to 2021 | 2021 |
U.S. domestic (excluding OEM) | $21,087 | - | $21,096 |
Canada domestic | 1,294 | (6.4%) | 1,382 |
Ireland domestic | 445 | - | 446 |
UK domestic | 2,748 | +15.1% | 2,388 |
France domestic | 1,235 | (13.3%) | 1,424 |
Australia domestic | 1,267 | (25.7%) | 1,705 |
Subtotal, Direct to End-User: | $28,076 | (1.3%) | $28,441 |
|
|
|
|
All Other OUS (Sales to Int’l Distributors) | 13,321 | +20.6% | 11,050 |
U.S. OEM Sales | 10,884 | +13.8% | 9,563 |
Worldwide Revenues | $52,281 | +6.6% | $49,054 |
In summary, UTMD total worldwide (WW) consolidated USD sales in 2022 at $52,281 were almost 7% higher than in 2021 at $49,054. But direct sales OUS in foreign currencies were substantially reduced in USD terms by a stronger USD. Total U.S. domestic sales including OEM were up $1,312 (+4.3%) in 2022 at $31,971 compared to $30,659 in 2021. OUS sales including sales to foreign distributors were up $1,916 (+10.4%) at $20,311 compared to $18,395 in 2021. Constant currency OUS sales were up 18.2%.
Domestic Sales.
U.S. domestic sales in 2022 were 4.3% higher at $31,971 (61% of total sales) compared to $30,659 (63% of total sales) in 2021. Components of the $1,312 higher 2022 domestic sales were $857 (14.0%) lower sales of the Filshie Clip System devices in the U.S., $1,321 (+13.8%) higher sales of components and finished devices used in other companies’ products (OEM customers), and $848 (+5.7%) higher direct sales of all other UTMD (non-Filshie) finished devices to domestic end-users.
23
Domestic Filshie Clip System sales in 2022 were 16% of total U.S. domestic sales compared to 20% in 2021. Filshie sales have not recovered as well as the other domestic sales categories since the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking forward to 2023, there remains a medical procedure trend in the U.S. to choose salpingectomy versus tubal ligation for permanent contraception post C-Section. Despite this, UTMD expects U.S. Filshie device sales in 2023 will remain about the same as in 2022.
Domestic OEM sales in 2022 were 34% of total U.S. domestic sales compared to 31% in 2021. UTMD sold components and finished devices to 146 different U.S. companies in 2022 compared to 155 different companies in 2021, for use in their product-market offerings. Sales to UTMD’s largest OEM customer represented 83% of total domestic OEM sales in 2022 compared to 82% of total domestic OEM sales in 2021. UTMD’s largest OEM customer markets biopharmaceutical manufacturing control systems which exclusively utilize UTMD’s pressure monitoring technology, and for which demand continued to be strong. Looking forward to 2023, UTMD expects demand for biopharmaceutical control systems to diminish relative to the recent past.
Domestic direct end-user sales excluding the Filshie Clip System (as well as OEM sales) were 50% of total U.S. domestic sales in 2022 compared to 49% in 2021. Of UTMD’s four domestic direct product categories, neonatal products were $707 higher (+13%), labor & delivery (L&D) products were $45 higher (+1%), gynecology/ electrosurgery/ urology products excluding the Filshie Clip System were $155 higher (+3%), and blood pressure monitoring devices were $59 lower (7%). UTMD expects 2023 domestic direct sales of its well-established devices to increase at a low single-digit percentage rate.
OUS Sales.
Sales OUS in 2022 in USD terms were $20,310 (10.4% higher) compared to $18,395 in 2021. Using the same FX rates as in 2021 (“constant currency”), 2022 OUS sales were $21,744 (18.2% higher).
Because a significant portion of UTMD’s OUS sales are invoiced in foreign currencies, changes in FX rates can potentially have a material effect on period-to-period USD-denominated sales. UTMD’s FX rates for income statement purposes are transaction-weighted averages. The average rates from the applicable foreign currency to USD during 2022 compared to 2021 follow.
| 2022 | Change | 2021 |
GBP | 1.229 | (10.7%) | 1.376 |
EUR | 1.052 | (11.1%) | 1.183 |
AUD | 0.693 | (7.7%) | 0.751 |
CAD | 0.768 | (3.7%) | 0.798 |
The total foreign sales-weighted FX rate change impact on 2022 sales compared to 2021 was (9.9%). In other words, consolidated USD sales in 2022 were reduced $1,433 from what they would have been using the prior year’s FX rates.
Sixty-four percent of (USD denominated) 2022 OUS sales were invoiced in foreign currencies compared to 72% in 2021. As a portion of total USD WW consolidated sales, 25% of UTMD’s USD-equivalent sales were invoiced in foreign currencies in 2022 compared to 27% in 2021. The GBP, EUR, AUD and CAD converted sales represented 6%, 14%, 2% and 3% of total 2022 USD sales, respectively. This compares to 6%, 15%, 3% and 3% of total 2021 USD sales.
USD-denominated trade (excludes intercompany) sales of devices to OUS customers (excluding France) by UTMD’s Ireland facility (UTMD Ltd) were $9,478 in 2022 (27% higher despite an 11% weaker EUR) compared to $7,439 in 2021. In addition, UTMD Ltd also sold devices that it had manufactured directly to France in 2022 due to BREXIT, which earlier were sold to Femcare Ltd in the UK on an intercompany basis and then sold by Femcare Ltd directly to French medical facilities. USD-denominated sales to France in 2022 were $1,235 (13% lower with an 11% lower EUR) compared to $1,424 in 2021. Some sales, mostly to Northern Ireland, were invoiced in GBP which was also 11% lower in 2022 compared to the 2021 USD. The total FX rate change reduced Ireland’s USD-denominated sales by $897.
In 2022, UTMD’s UK subsidiary, Femcare Ltd., had $2,781 trade sales of devices to domestic UK and certain international distributor customers, 13% higher (despite an 11% weaker GBP) compared to $2,451 in 2021. The total FX rate change reduced the UK’s USD-denominated sales by $381.
24
USD-denominated sales of devices to end-users in Australia and New Zealand by Femcare’s Australia distribution subsidiary (Femcare Australia Pty Ltd) were $1,267 (26% lower with an 8% lower AUD) in 2022 compared to $1,705 in 2021. The weaker AUD in 2022 reduced USD-denominated Australia sales by $105.
UTMD’s Canada distribution subsidiary (Utah Medical Products Canada, Inc.) USD-denominated sales of devices to end-users in Canada were $1,294 (6% lower with a 4% lower CAD) compared to $1,382 in 2021. The weaker CAD reduced Canada sales by $50.
UTMD groups its sales into four general product categories: 1) obstetrics, comprised of labor and delivery management tools for monitoring fetal and maternal well-being, for reducing risk in performing difficult delivery procedures and for improving clinician and patient safety; 2) gynecology/ electrosurgery/ urology, comprised of tools for gynecological procedures associated primarily with cervical/ uterine disease including LETZ, endometrial tissue sampling, transvaginal uterine sonography, diagnostic laparoscopy, surgical contraception and other MIS procedures; specialty excision and incision tools; conservative urinary incontinence therapy devices; and urology surgical procedure devices; 3) neonatal critical care, comprised of devices that provide developmentally-friendly care to the most critically ill babies, including providing vascular access, enteral feeding, administering vital fluids, oxygen therapy while maintaining a neutral thermal environment, providing protection and assisting in specialized applications; and 4) blood pressure monitoring/ accessories/ other, comprised of specialized transducers and components as well as molded parts and assemblies sold on an OEM basis to other companies. In these four categories, UTMD’s primary revenue contributors enjoy significant brand awareness by clinical users.
Global revenues by product category:
| 2022 | % | 2021 | % |
Obstetrics | $4,661 | 9 | $4,675 | 9 |
Gynecology/ Electrosurgery/ Urology | 21,841 | 42 | 21,973 | 45 |
Neonatal | 7,567 | 14 | 6,691 | 14 |
Blood Pressure Monitoring and Accessories* | 18,212 | 35 | 15,715 | 32 |
Total: | $52,281 | 100 | $49,054 | 100 |
OUS revenues by product category:
| 2022 | % | 2021 | % |
Obstetrics | $ 676 | 3 | $ 735 | 4 |
Gynecology/ Electrosurgery/ Urology | 11,603 | 57 | 11,053 | 60 |
Neonatal | 1,517 | 8 | 1,347 | 7 |
Blood Pressure Monitoring and Accessories* | 6,514 | 32 | 5,260 | 29 |
Total: | $ 20,310 | 100 | $ 18,395 | 100 |
* includes molded components and finished medical and non-medical devices sold to OEM customers.
Looking forward to 2023 sales, UTMD’s largest customer representing almost $11.6 million in 2022 WW consolidated revenues, including 83% of U.S. OEM sales and 28% of Ireland’s international distributor sales, has provided mixed signals for demand for all of 2023. UTMD is planning for a reduction in annual sales to this customer, even though shipments together with orders received to-date for the first nine months of 2023 for pressure transducer assemblies are higher than in 2022. The actions of the U.S. Federal Reserve to continue to increase interest rates because of sticky inflation, combined with a lack of a significant U.S. recession, is likely to result in a stronger average USD in 2023 relative to 2022, resulting in a negative impact on about 25% of UTMD’s sales invoiced in foreign currencies. Another key to 2023 sales results will be retaining U.S. Filshie device sales at a similar level as in 2022. Offsetting the above possible negative factors, because of the sticky inflation in input costs, UTMD has raised its unit prices again in early 2023, and expects unit demand for its medical devices to end-users to remain stable. In summary, management’s best estimate at this time is that 2023 consolidated WW revenues may be about the same as in 2022, but perhaps lower depending on OEM sales, without consideration for acquiring another source of revenues not currently in UTMD’s portfolio.
25
b)Gross Profit (GP).
UTMD’s 2022 consolidated GP, the surplus after subtracting costs of manufacturing, which includes purchasing and transporting raw materials, forming components, assembling, inspecting, testing, packaging and sterilizing products, from net revenues, was $32,196 (61.6% of sales) compared to $30,917 (63.0% of sales) in 2021. GP in 2022 increased $1,280 (+4.1%) with a 6.6% increase in revenues.
The Gross Profit Margin (GPM), which is GP divided by sales, contracted due to the fact that all components of manufacturing cost increased at a rate faster than the increase in revenues which included price increases to customers. Manufacturing costs in Utah, where about 60% of the Company’s product revenues are manufactured, increased at a rate more than double UTMD’s average price increases, resulting in a lower U.S. GPM. U.S. direct labor and raw material costs increased more than 10%, while manufacturing overhead (MOH) costs increased more than 20%. The Company experienced an unfavorable year for its self-insured U.S. health care plan, a doubling of freight for incoming materials and significantly more engineering dedicated to process improvements, all of which are included in MOH.
UTMD’s Ireland subsidiary’s (UTMD Ltd’s) 2022 GP was EUR 8,538 compared to EUR 6,788 in 2021. The associated GPMs were 60.0% in 2022 and 61.2% in 2021. Femcare UK 2022 GP was GBP 1,297 compared to GBP 913 in 2021. The 2022 UK GPM was 52.0% compared to 46.3% in 2021. A delayed substantial UK recovery in Filshie device sales after the COVID-19 pandemic explains the GPM improvement, as UK manufacturing overhead costs are relatively fixed. Femcare Australia and Femcare Canada are simply distribution facilities for UTMD finished devices in their respective countries. GP is the result of subtracting intercompany purchase prices of devices, plus incoming freight, from revenues. Australia 2022 GP was AUD 940 (51.4% of sales) compared to AUD 1,399 (61.6% of sales) in 2021. Canada 2022 GP was CAD 870 (51.7% of sales) compared to CAD 907 (52.4% of sales) in 2021. In the U.S., GP was $20,699 in 2022 compared to $20,100 in 2021. The U.S. GPM was 54.8% in 2022 compared to 55.8% in 2021. A summation of the above GP of each subsidiary will not yield UTMD’s consolidated total GP because of elimination of profit in inventory of intercompany sales.
In 2023, UTMD has the objective to manage manufacturing cost pressures to maintain its GPM consistent with 2022.
26
c)Operating Income.
Operating Income results from subtracting operating expenses from GP. Operating Income in 2022 was $19,790 (37.9% of sales) compared to $18,880 (38.5% of sales) in 2021. UTMD’s 2022 Operating Income margin (Operating Income divided by sales) contracted only 0.6 percentage points after its GPM contracted 1.4 percentage points. This was due to the fact that Intangible Asset amortization expenses related to the Filshie Clip System (included in Operating Expenses) were better absorbed with higher sales, that is, were 1.3 percentage points lower than in 2021. In addition, subsidiary operating expenses in foreign currencies were diminished when translated into USD in the same manner that foreign currency sales were diminished by a strong USD.
The UTMD Ltd (Ireland) Operating Income margin in 2022 was 57.2% compared to 57.8% in 2021. Femcare UK’s Operating Income margin per US GAAP, which includes the IIA amortization expense of the 2011 acquisition, was negative in both 2022 and 2021. Femcare Australia’s 2022 Operating Income margin was 30.9% compared to 45.9% in 2021. Femcare Canada’s 2022 Operating Income margin was 37.3% compared to 34.5% in 2021. UTMD’s 2022 Operating Income margin in the U.S. was 31.2% compared to 33.2% in 2021. For clarity, the CSI IIA amortization expense hit the U.S. Operating Income margin, and the Femcare IIA amortization expense hit the Femcare UK Operating Income margin.
Operating expenses include sales and marketing (S&M) expenses, product development (R&D) expenses and general and administrative (G&A) expenses. Consolidated WW operating expenses were $12,407 (23.7% of sales) in 2022 compared to $12,037 (24.5% of sales) in 2021. The following table provides a comparison of operating expense categories, as well as further segmentation of G&A expenses:
| 2022 | 2021 | |
S&M expenses | $ 1,507 | $ 1,414 | |
R&D expenses | 493 | 526 | |
G&A expenses: |
|
| |
| a) litigation expense provision | 670 | 22 |
| b) corporate legal | 4 | 1 |
| c) outside directors fees | 131 | 125 |
| d) stock option compensation | 183 | 166 |
| e) profit-sharing bonus accrual | 444 | 448 |
| f) outside accounting audit/tax | 184 | 179 |
| g) Femcare IIA amortization | 1,965 | 2,189 |
| h) CSI IIA amortization | 4,421 | 4,421 |
| i) property & liability insurance premiums | 101 | 99 |
| j)all other G&A expenses | 2,304 | 2,447 |
G&A expenses – total | 10,407 | 10,097 | |
Total Consolidated Operating Expense: | $ 12,407 | $ 12,037 | |
Percent of sales: | 23.7% | 24.5% | |
Description of Operating Expense Categories:
i) S&M expenses:
S&M expenses in 2022 were $1,507 (2.9% of sales) compared to $1,414 (2.9% of sales) in 2021. The higher expenses were due to higher U.S. distribution costs including fees paid to Med/Surg distributors. OUS S&M expenses in 2022 compared to 2021 were diminished by a stronger USD, i.e. constant currency 2022 S&M expenses would be $34 higher.
S&M expenses are the costs of communicating UTMD’s differences and product advantages, providing training and other customer service in support of the use of UTMD’s solutions, attending clinical meetings and medical trade shows, administering customer agreements, advertising, processing orders, shipping, and paying commissions to outside independent representatives. In markets where UTMD sells directly to end-users, which in 2021-2022 included the U.S., Ireland, UK, Australia, New Zealand, France and Canada, the largest components of S&M expenses were the cost of customer service required to timely process orders and the distribution costs associated with shipping products.
S&M expenses include all customer support costs including training. In general, training is not required for UTMD’s products since they are well-established and have been clinically widely used. Written “Instructions For Use” are packaged with all finished devices. Although UTMD does not have any explicit contracts with customers to provide training, it does provide hospital in-service and clinical training as required and reasonably requested.
27
UTMD promises prospective customers that it will provide, at no charge in reasonable quantities, electronic media and other instructional materials developed for the use of its products. UTMD provides customer support from offices in the U.S., Canada, Ireland, UK and Australia by telephone to answer user questions and help troubleshoot any user issues. Occasionally, on a case-by-case basis, UTMD may utilize the services of an independent practitioner to provide educational assistance to clinicians. All in-service and training expenses are routinely expensed as they occur. Except for the consulting services of independent practitioners and occasional use of marketing consultants, all of these services are allocated from fixed S&M overhead costs. Historically, additional consulting costs have been immaterial to financial results, which is also UTMD’s expectation for the future.
ii) R&D expenses:
R&D expenses in 2022 were $493 (0.9% of sales) compared to $526 (1.1% of sales) in 2021. R&D expenses include the costs of investigating clinical needs, developing innovative concepts, testing concepts for viability, validating methods of manufacture, completing any necessary premarketing clinical trials, regulatory documentation and other activities required for design control, responding to customer requests for product enhancements, and assisting manufacturing engineering on an ongoing basis in developing new processes or improving existing processes. Product development (R&D) expenses declined as a result of reassigning engineers to help with manufacturing improvements and quality assurance in a challenging year. R&D also played a significant role in manufacturing process improvements that were needed to support fast-growing OEM product demand. Other than OEM products, no new UTMD devices were launched in 2022. UTMD does not pre-announce new devices that are being developed.
iii) G&A expenses:
G&A expenses in 2022 were $10,407 (19.9% of sales) compared to $10,096 (20.6% of sales) in 2021. G&A expenses include the “front office” functional costs of executive management and outside directors, finance and accounting, corporate information systems, human resources, stockholder relations, corporate risk management, corporate governance, protection of intellectual property, amortization of identifiable intangibles and legal costs. The table above helps identify certain specific categories of G&A expenses which might be of interest to stockholders.
The increase in G&A expenses was essentially due to $648 higher U.S. litigation costs, offset by $351 reduction of OUS foreign currency expenses due to a stronger USD. An FX rate change favorable USD impact of $223 (out of the $351 total) was from the amortization of Femcare acquisition IIA, which was £1,589 in 2022 compared to £1,590 in 2021.
As stockholders likely remember, the non-cash IIA amortization expense related to the Filshie Clip System includes IIA from both the 2011 acquisition of Femcare Group Ltd and the 2019 purchase of the CSI exclusive U.S. distribution rights for the Filshie Clip System. The combined IIA amortization expense in 2022 was 12.2% of total WW consolidated sales ($6,386) compared to 13.5% in 2021 ($6,610). The decline in percent of sales was due both to higher sales and to a stronger USD converting the GBP IIA amortization expense, which was about the same in GBP as in the prior year.
The Femcare IIA amortization expense will continue at the same £397 per calendar quarter rate ending in 1Q 2026 (or until the value of any remaining IIA becomes impaired), subject to changes in the FX rate when converted to USD. The early 2019 purchase of CSI exclusive Filshie Clip System U.S. distribution rights is being amortized at $1,105 per calendar quarter over the remaining life of the Femcare distribution agreement with CSI, which will end in 4Q 2023..
Excluding the non-cash Femcare and CSI IIA amortization expenses, UTMD consolidated operating expenses were $6,021 (11.5% of sales) in 2022 compared to $5,427 (11.1% of sales) in 2021. The difference was due to litigation expenses. Maintaining a consistent GPM and tightly controlling operating expenses remains the key to UTMD’s excellent profitability and Return on Stockholder Equity (ROE).
d)Non-operating income/Non-operating expense, and Income Before Taxes (EBT).
Non-operating income includes royalties from licensing UTMD’s technology, rent from leasing underutilized property to others, income earned from investing the Company’s excess cash and gains from the sale of assets. Non-operating expense includes interest on bank loans, bank service fees, excise taxes and losses from the sale of assets. Also, the period-to-period remeasured value of EUR cash balances held in the UK, and GBP balances held in Ireland, generates a gain or loss which is booked at reporting period end as non-operating income or expense, as applicable.
28
Net non-operating income (combination of non-operating income and non-operating expense) was $869 in 2022 and $181 in 2021. The higher non-operating income in 2022 compared to 2021 was due to higher interest income on UTMD’s cash balances. A description of components of UTMD’s non-operating income or expense follows:
1) Interest Expense. There was no interest expense in 2022 or 2021. Absent an acquisition or large repurchase of shares that requires new borrowing, UTMD does not expect any interest expense in 2023.
2) Investment of excess cash. Consolidated investment income (including gains and losses on sales of investments) was $661 in 2022 compared to $46 in 2021. Average cash balances were almost $12 million higher in 2022 than in 2021. In addition, in contrast to 2022, interest rates in 2021 were practically zero, and UTMD had to pay negative interest on EUR bank balances in Ireland. UTMD is projecting higher interest rates to continue in 2023, leading to another substantial increase in non-operating income.
3) Royalties. Royalties in 2022 were $20 compared to $15 in 2021. Presently, there is only one arrangement which began in 2020 under which UTMD is receiving royalties on its technology.
4) Gains/ losses from remeasured currency in bank accounts. UTMD recognized a $20 loss in 2022 compared to a $23 loss in 2021 from losses on remeasured foreign currency bank balances. EUR currency cash balances in the UK, and GBP currency cash bank balances in Ireland, are subject to remeasured currency translation gains/ losses as a result of period to period changes in FX rates.
5) Other non-operating income or expense. Income received from renting unused warehouse space in Ireland and parking lot space in Utah for a cell phone tower, offset by bank fees, and other miscellaneous non-operating expenses resulted in net non-operating income of $196 in 2022 compared to a net non-operating income of $124 in 2021.
EBT results from adding net non-operating income or subtracting net non-operating expense from Operating Income. Consolidated EBT was $20,659 (39.5% of sales) in 2022 compared to $19,061 (38.9% of sales) in 2021. In other words, despite the inflationary cost pressures diluting UTMD’s GPM and much higher litigation expenses, the Company expanded its EBT Margin (EBT as a percentage of sales) on higher sales, yielding an 8.4% increase in EBT in a tough year. In summary, UTMD’s 2022 EBT substantially exceeded management’s beginning of year projections due to achieving less dilution in profit margins and greater non-operating income than was expected.
The 2022 EBT of UTMD Ltd. (Ireland) was €8,013 (56.3% of sales) compared to €6,277 (56.6% of sales) in 2021. Femcare Ltd’s (UK) 2022 EBT was (£574) compared to (£1,003) in 2021. Femcare Ltd, as the legal manufacturer of the Filshie Clip System, supports worldwide regulatory requirements in addition to absorbing the IIA amortization expense of the 2011 Femcare Group acquisition. Femcare AUS’s 2022 EBT was AUD 573 (31.3% of sales) compared to AUD 1,042 (45.9% of sales) in 2021. Femcare Canada’s 2022 EBT was CAD 622 (36.9% of sales) compared to CAD 592 (34.2% of sales) in 2021.
As a side note for clarity of comparison of financial results, UTMD’s 2021 EBT, as well as all other income statement measures above the EBT line in the 2021 Income Statement, were unaffected by the 2Q 2021 income tax provision adjustment as a result of a future income tax rate change in the UK, which increased UTMD’s long term deferred tax liability and reduced Net Income in 2021.
EBITDA is a non-US GAAP metric that UTMD management believes is of interest to investors because it provides meaningful supplemental information to both management and investors that represents profitability performance without factoring in effects of financing, accounting decisions regarding non-cash expenses, capital expenditures or tax environments. If the Company were to need to borrow to pay for a major asset or acquisition, the projected EBITDA metric would be of primary interest to a lending institution to determine UTMD’s credit worthiness. Although the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission advises that EBITDA is a non-GAAP metric, UTMD’s non-US GAAP EBITDA is the sum of the following elements in the table below, each of which is a US GAAP number:
| 2022 | 2021 |
EBT | $20,659 | $19,061 |
Depreciation Expense | 612 | 636 |
Femcare IIA Amortization Expense | 1,965 | 2,189 |
CSI IIA Amortization Expense | 4,421 | 4,421 |
Other Non-Cash Amortization Expense | 31 | 34 |
Stock Option Compensation Expense | 183 | 166 |
Remeasured Foreign Currency Balances | 20 | 23 |
UTMD non-US GAAP EBITDA: | $27,891 | $26,530 |
In summary, UTMD’s 2022 non-US GAAP EBITDA increased 5.1% compared to 2021.
e)Net Income, Earnings Per Share (EPS) and Return on Equity (ROE).
i) Net Income
Net Income results after subtracting a provision for estimated income taxes from EBT. UTMD’s US GAAP Net Income in 2022 was $16,473 (31.5% of sales) compared to $14,788 (30.1% of sales) in 2021. Because of a future UK income tax rate change enacted in 2021 which reduced 2021 Net Income and EPS results per US GAAP, management does not believe the year-to-year comparisons in US GAAP Net Income and EPS are an accurate measure of UTMD’s bottom-line 2022 financial performance comparison with 2021. Ignoring the income tax adjustment, 2021 non-US GAAP Net Income was $15,178 (30.9% of sales). Please see the table below which presents Net Income both according to US GAAP and also prior to recognition of the 2021 income tax provision adjustment.
29
The US GAAP consolidated income tax provision rate for 2022 was 20.3% compared to 22.4% in 2021. The estimated tax provision adjustment in 2021 increased the average rate. The non-US GAAP consolidated combined income tax provision rate for 2021 was 20.4%, about the same as in 2022. For clarity, the UK income tax rate change in 2021 from 19% to 25% beginning in April 2023 added $390 to UTMD’s 2021 income tax provision, representing the increased tax which will be due over the remaining life of amortization of Femcare’s IIA, which is not a tax-deductible expense in the UK.
In general, year-to-year fluctuations in the combined average income tax provision rate will result from variation in EBT contribution from subsidiaries in jurisdictions with different corporate income tax rates. Taxes in foreign subsidiaries are based on taxable EBT in those sovereignties, which can be different from the contribution to consolidated EBT per US GAAP. UTMD expects, barring any new tax law changes which are currently unknown, that its combined income tax rate for 2023 will be within the 20.3%-20.5% range.
The UK had a corporate income tax rate of 19% for both 2022 and 2021. The UK also allowed a tax deduction for sales of UK patented products which varied from year-to-year based on somewhat complicated rules which are sorted out for UTMD by independent UK tax specialists. The income tax rate for AUS was 30% for both 2022 and 2021. The income tax rate for Canada was about 27% for both years. Profits of the Ireland subsidiary were taxed at a 12.5% rate on exported manufactured products, and a 25% rate on rental and other types of income including income from sales of medical devices in Ireland domestically. As UTMD stockholders likely remember, in the U.S., the Federal income tax rate was changed after 2017 to 21% from 34% prior to the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA). Federal taxes are not 21% of U.S. EBT, however, as income taxes paid to the State are a deductible expense for Federal tax purposes, other expenses are not deductible and there remains an R&D tax credit along with other credits, not to mention a GILTI tax related to foreign income and FDII tax credit related to profits on export sales. The Utah state income tax rate declined to 4.95% from 5% prior to the TCJA, and the State of Utah enacted income apportionment rules that provide for additional tax relief.
ii) Earnings Per Share (EPS)
EPS are Net Income divided by the number of shares of stock outstanding (diluted to take into consideration stock option awards which are “in the money,” i.e., have exercise prices below the applicable period’s weighted average market value). US GAAP diluted EPS in year 2022 were $4.522 compared to $4.041 in 2021, an 11.9% increase. Excluding the income tax provision increase due to the DTL adjustment in 2021, non-US GAAP diluted EPS in 2021 were $4.147. The 2022 EPS increase over the non-US GAAP 2021 EPS was 9.0%, which is more indicative of normal operating results. The increase in EPS was higher than the increase in Operating Income as a result of the 2022 improvement in net non-operating income from higher interest on higher cash balances, and a stock buy-back in 2Q 2022. Diluted shares were 3,643,256 for the year 2022 compared to 3,659,814 in 2021. Dilution for “in the money” unexercised options for the year 2022 was 5,934 shares compared to 12,606 shares in 2021. Actual outstanding common shares as of December 31, 2022 were 3,627,767. The 2022 EPS exceeded management’s projection at the beginning of the year.
30
UTMD management believes the presentation of Net Income and EPS results excluding the tax liability estimate adjustment in 2021 provides meaningful supplemental information to both management and investors that is more clearly indicative of UTMD’s bottom line results for comparison purposes.
US GAAP:
| 2022 | 2021 |
Net Income | $16,473 | $14,788 |
Net Income Margin | 31.5% | 30.1% |
EPS | $ 4.522 | $ 4.041 |
Non-US GAAP (excluding the 2021 UK DTL change):
| 2022 | 2021 |
Net Income | $16,473 | $15,178 |
Net Income Margin | 31.5% | 30.9% |
EPS | $ 4.522 | $ 4.147 |
Note: The 2021 tax provision adjustment only affected UTMD’s income tax provision, Net Income and EPS, not consolidated revenues (sales), GP, Operating Income or EBT.
The non-US GAAP financial measures indicate that the 2022 growth in Net Income and EPS compared to 2021 was more modest, and facilitate management’s internal comparisons for purposes of planning future performance. The non-US GAAP financial measures disclosed by UTMD should not be considered a substitute for or superior to financial measures calculated in accordance with US GAAP, and the financial results calculated in accordance with US GAAP and reconciliations to those financial statements should be carefully evaluated.
Looking forward to 2023, UTMD believes that sales to its medical device end-users will remain stable. This might be partly offset, however, if the USD on the average is stronger, reducing the USD value of approximately 25% of UTMD’s revenues invoiced in foreign currencies. In recent years, UTMD’s sales to its largest OEM customer have grown rapidly, culminating in 22% of UTMD’s consolidated WW revenues in 2022. Projections of demand from this customer have not been reliable in the past, and its signals for 2023 are currently mixed despite year-to-date orders which are higher. Given the abatement of vaccine production for COVID-19, UTMD anticipates a near term lessening of pharmaceutical control device demand, perhaps reducing UTMD’s revenues in 2023 relative to 2022 from this customer. Therefore, management believes it is reasonable to project 2023 revenues in the range of $50 to $52 million compared to $52.3 million in 2022, without consideration for acquiring another source of revenues not currently in UTMD’s portfolio. The Company also believes it can maintain its Gross Profit Margin and Operating Income Margin in 2023 with slightly lower sales, excluding unusual litigation costs, despite economic headwinds associated with a high cost inflation environment. In the absence of a significant use of cash to increase long term stockholder value, the incremental litigation costs should be more than covered by UTMD’s increase in interest income on its cash reserves. The endpoint of this 2023 projection is Net Income and EPS about the same as in 2022.
iii) ROE
Maintaining a high ROE remains a key management objective for UTMD in order to grow without diluting stockholder interest. ROE is the quotient of Net Income divided by average Stockholders’ Equity, but more specifically it is the product of the Net Income margin, productivity of assets and financial leverage. Although UTMD’s high Net Income margin is the primary factor that continues to drive its ROE, cash dividends to stockholders and repurchase of shares help in lowering average Stockholders’ Equity, reducing the denominator in calculating ROE. UTMD’s 2022 ROE before stockholder dividends was 14.9%. In comparison, 2021 ROE was 14.1%.
31
The higher 2022 ROE compared to 2021 was the result of 11.4% higher US GAAP Net Income coupled with 5.4% higher average Stockholders’ Equity. Average Stockholders’ Equity was $110,696 in 2022 compared to $104,980 in 2021. UTMD’s Stockholders’ Equity has more than doubled over the last ten years to $114 million at the end of 2022, despite being reduced by $46 million in dividends plus $16 million in share repurchases over that same period of time.
Maintaining a high ROE with the dilutive effect of rapidly growing Average Stockholders’ Equity (despite reductions from dividends and stock repurchases), while maintaining excellent Net Income results, suggests an excellent increase in stockholder value. UTMD’s average ROE over the last 30 years was 24%.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows.
Net cash provided by operating activities in 2022 totaled $21,147 compared to $21,203 in 2021. Net Income at $1,685 higher in 2022 compared to 2021 allowed net cash provided by operating activities in 2022, including adjustments for depreciation and other non-cash operating expenses, along with changes in working capital and the tax benefit attributable to exercise of employee incentive stock options, to be about the same as in 2021. The increase in Net Income funded operating activities particularly including a $1,868 higher increase in inventories than the increase in 2021 (second order derivative). The additional inventory increase was a hedge against supply chain disruption emanating from the COVID-19 pandemic. Other changes were a function of normal business activity, e.g. 1) a $577 lower use of cash as a result of increasing trade accounts receivable (A/R) $511 instead of the $1,088 increase in 2021, 2) a $486 lower use of cash as a result of increasing accounts payable $463 instead of the $23 decrease in 2021, 3) a $461 higher use of cash from increasing accrued expenses only $252 compared to the $713 increase in 2021, 4) a $308 higher use of cash from reducing deferred income taxes $401 compared to the $92 reduction in 2021, and 5) $251 less cash provided from less depreciation and amortization in 2022 compared to 2021. Also, the income tax benefit attributable to exercise of employee stock options in 2022 was $34 lower than in 2021 because 10,210 fewer shares were exercised.
In investing activities, during 2022 UTMD used $809 in capital expenditures to purchase new molds and manufacturing equipment and fixtures for expanded capabilities as well as to maintain and improve existing operating capabilities, compared to investing $552 in 2021. Capital expenditures exceeded depreciation by $197. UTMD also expensed $40 more in 2022 compared to 2021 for tools and equipment, including repairs.
In 2022, UTMD received $174 and issued 3,135 shares of stock upon the exercise of employee and director stock options. Employees exercised a total of 3,501 option shares in 2022, with 366 shares immediately being retired as a result of optionees trading the shares in payment of the exercise price of the options. Option exercises in 2022 were at an average price of $60.34 per share. The Company received a $6 tax benefit from option exercises in 2022. UTMD repurchased 30,105 shares of its stock in the open market during 2022 at an average cost of $82.88 per share.
In comparison, in 2021 UTMD received $560 and issued 11,702 shares of stock upon the exercise of employee stock options. Employees exercised a total of 13,711 option shares in 2021, with 2,009 shares immediately being retired as a result of optionees trading the shares in payment of the exercise price of the options. Option exercises in 2021 were at an average price of $57.40 per share. The Company received a $39 tax benefit from option exercises in 2021. UTMD did not repurchase shares of its stock in the open market during 2021.
UTMD did not borrow in the years 2021 and 2022. Cash dividends paid to stockholders were $3,162 in 2022 compared to $11,465 in 2021.
Management believes that future income from operations and effective management of working capital will continue to provide the liquidity needed to finance internal growth plans. In an uncertain economic environment, UTMD’s cash balances allow management to operate with the long-term best interest of stockholders in mind. Planned 2023 capital expenditures for ongoing operations are expected to be about the same in magnitude as depreciation of PP&E, although additional capital expenditure opportunities are being considered.
32
Management plans to utilize cash not needed to support normal operations in one or a combination of the following: 1) in general, to continue to invest at opportune times in ways that will enhance future profitability; 2) to make additional investments in new technology and/or processes; and/or 3) to acquire a product line or company that will augment revenue and EPS growth and better utilize UTMD’s existing infrastructure. If there are no better strategic uses for UTMD’s cash, the Company will continue to return cash to stockholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases when the stock appears undervalued.
Management's Outlook.
UTMD remains relatively small compared to many other companies, but its employees are experienced and remain diligent in their work. UTMD’s passion is in providing differentiated clinical solutions that will help improve the outcomes of medical procedures and reduce health risks, particularly for women and their babies.
The safety, reliability and performance of UTMD’s medical devices are consistently high and represent significant clinical benefits while providing minimum total cost of care. UTMD will continue to leverage its reputation as a device innovator and reliable manufacturer which will responsively take on challenges to work with clinicians who use its specialty devices. In doing so, UTMD will continue to differentiate itself, especially from its commodity-oriented competitors. In 2023, UTMD again plans to
1) leverage distribution and manufacturing synergies by further integrating capabilities and resources in its multinational operations;
2) expand manufacturing capacity at a time when resources are scarce;
3) focus on effectively differentiating the benefits of the Filshie Clip System in the U.S.;
4) introduce additional products helpful to clinicians through product development;
5) continue to achieve excellent overall financial operating performance;
6) utilize positive cash generation to continue providing cash dividends to stockholders and make open market share repurchases if/when the UTMD share price seems undervalued; and
7) remain vigilant for affordable accretive acquisition opportunities which may be brought about by difficult burdens on small, innovative companies.
The Company has a fundamental focus to do an excellent job in meeting clinicians’ and patients’ needs, while providing stockholders with excellent returns. In the combined form of cash dividends and share repurchases, UTMD “returned” $5,658 (34% of Net Income) in 2022 compared to $11,465 (78% of Net Income) in 2021 to stockholders.
In 2022, the value of UTMD’s stock increased, albeit less than 1%, ending the year at $100.53/ share, while $0.87 in cash dividends/ share were paid to stockholders. The DJIA, S&P 500 and NASDAQ (where UTMD is traded) indices were all lower in 2022, respectively by 9%, 19% and 33%.
In comparison, in 2021, the value of UTMD’s stock improved 19%, ending the year at $100.00/ share, while $3.14 in cash dividends/ share were paid. The DJIA, S&P 500 and NASDAQ (where UTMD is traded) indices were up 19%, 27% and 27% respectively in 2021.
The average annually compounded appreciation in UTMD stock value for the last 24 years was 12.0% per year, substantially outpacing all of the major indices. Adding dividends, UTMD stockholder value increased at an annually compounded rate of 12.9% over the last 24 years since 1998.
Combining share price appreciation as a result of a long-term financial performance and a capital allocation strategy that includes opportunistic share repurchases with steadily growing quarterly cash dividends paid to stockholders since 2004, longer term UTMD stockholders have experienced excellent returns. Management is committed to continue that performance.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
None
33
Contractual Obligations
The following is a summary of UTMD’s significant contractual obligations and commitments as of December 31, 2022:
Contractual Obligations and Commitments |
Total |
2023 |
2024-2025 |
2026-2027 |
2028 and thereafter |
Long-term debt obligations | $ - | $ - | $ - | $ - | $ - |
Operating lease obligations | 444 | 64 | 105 | 97 | 178 |
Purchase obligations | 4,798 | 4,769 | 29 | - | - |
Total | $ 5,242 | $ 4,833 | $ 134 | $ 97 | $ 178 |
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience, current economic and industry conditions and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. This forms the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily available from other sources. Management has identified the following as the Company’s most critical accounting policies which require significant judgment and estimates. Although management believes its estimates are reasonable, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
·Allowance for doubtful accounts: The majority of the Company’s receivables are with healthcare facilities and medical device distributors. Although the Company has historically not had significant write-offs of bad debt, the possibility exists, particularly with foreign distributors where collection efforts can be difficult or in the event of widespread hospital bankruptcies.
·Inventory valuation reserves: The Company strives to maintain inventory to 1) meet its customers’ needs and 2) optimize manufacturing lot sizes while 3) not tying-up an unnecessary amount of the Company’s capital increasing the possibility of, among other things, obsolescence. The Company believes its method of reviewing actual and projected demand for its existing inventory allows it to arrive at a fair inventory valuation reserve. While the Company has historically not had significant inventory write-offs, the possibility exists that one or more of its products may become unexpectedly obsolete for which a reserve has not previously been created. The Company’s historical write-offs have not been materially different from its estimates.
Accounting Policy Changes
The Company’s management has evaluated the recently issued accounting pronouncements through the filing date of these financial statements and has determined that the application of these pronouncements will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.
34
ITEM 7A - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company had manufacturing operations, including related assets, in the U.S. denominated in the U.S. Dollar (USD), in Ireland denominated in the Euro (EUR), and in England denominated in the British Pound (GBP). UTMD also has trading activities in the U.S. and in subsidiaries in other countries denominated in the USD, EUR, GBP, the Australian Dollar (AUD) and the Canadian Dollar (CAD). The currencies are subject to exchange rate fluctuations that are beyond the control of UTMD. The exchange rates were .9351, .8790 and .8178 EUR per USD as of December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Exchange rates were .8280, .7388 and .7319 GBP per USD as of December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Exchange rates were 1.4695, 1.3759 and 1.2974 AUD per USD on December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Exchange rates were 1.3532, 1.2656 and 1.2754 CAD per USD on December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. Please see note 1 in Item, 8, below under “Translation of Foreign Currencies” for more information. UTMD manages its foreign currency risk without separate hedging transactions by either invoicing customers in the local currency where costs of production were incurred, or by converting currencies as transactions occur.
ITEM 8 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Currency amounts are in thousands except per-share amounts and where noted.
TABLE OF CONTENTS | |
|
|
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting | 36 |
|
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Haynie) on Financial Statements and the Company’s Internal Control Over Financial Reporting | 37 |
|
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Nortons) on Financial Statements and the Company’s Internal Control Over Financial Reporting | 38 |
|
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets | 39 |
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income | 40 |
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow | 41 |
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity | 42 |
|
|
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | 43 |
35
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 defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company's internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The Company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that
·pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;
·provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and
·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.
The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013).
Based on its assessment and those criteria, management believes that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022.
By: /s/ Kevin L. Cornwell
Kevin L. Cornwell
Chief Executive Officer
By: /s/ Brian L. Koopman
Brian L. Koopman
Principal Financial Officer
36
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of Utah Medical Products, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Utah Medical Products, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the related statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2022, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We did not audit portions of the consolidated financial statements for Femcare Group Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary. The portions not audited by us include assets of $23,055,729 and $26,752,000 as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively and total revenues of $4,333,431, $4,419,000 and $4,871,000 for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Those portions of the consolidated financial statements were audited by other auditors whose reports have been furnished to us, and our opinion, insofar as they relate to the amounts included for Femcare Group Limited is based solely on the reports of the other auditors.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Evaluation of income taxes
Description of the Matter:
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company operates in many parts in the world through its’ subsidiaries. The Company or one of its’ subsidiaries will file a tax return in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, in the United Kingdom, in Australia, in Ireland, and in Canada. Due to the complexity with dealing in multiple currencies/countries, along with the various tax laws and significant management judgment, we believe the account to be a critical audit matter.
How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit:
We evaluated the appropriateness and consistency of management's methods and assumptions used in the identification, recognition, measurement, and disclosures of its taxes. We performed a walkthrough of the processes and controls over the income tax process. We read and evaluated management's documentation, including relevant accounting policies and information obtained by management from the outside tax specialists engaged to assist with their taxes. We identified and evaluated the reasonableness of significant assumptions in the provision and evaluated for potential bias. We verified the account balances, reperformed the provision calculation of deferred tax assets and liabilities and verified all tax rates used.
/s/ Haynie & Company
Haynie & Company
Salt Lake City, Utah
March 27, 2023
Firm ID: 457
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2018.
37
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
of Utah Medical Products, Inc .
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of Femcare Group Limited (the Company), including its subsidiaries, as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2022, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
The accounting policy in respect of revenue is that revenue is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Company and the revenue can be reliably measured. Revenue is measured as the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, excluding discounts, rebates, value added tax and other sales taxes.
We identified the assessment of the revenue as a critical audit matter due to its inherent risk of understatement. The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included the following. We tested certain internal controls over the Company’s process for dispatching goods and raising invoices to customers. We tested a sample of orders during the year to establish that these were dispatched and invoiced. We evaluated the Company’s determination of the recoverability of any unpaid receivables at 31 December 2022.
We also identified the assessment of the valuation of intangible assets as a critical audit matter. Intangible assets are valued at cost and amortised using the straight-line method over the useful economic life of the asset. Goodwill is carried at cost and tested for impairment annually. We identified the valuation of intangible assets and goodwill as a critical audit matter due to their materiality to the financial statements. We reviewed and tested the Company’s calculations in respect of amortisation and evaluated the Company’s determination of the carrying value as at 31 December 2022.
NORTONS ASSURANCE LIMITED
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2011.
Reading, United Kingdom
March 20, 2023
38
UTAH MEDICAL PRODUCTS, INC. | |||
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF | |||
DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021 | |||
(In thousands) | |||
|
|
|
|
2022 |
| 2021 | |
ASSETS |
|
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
|
Cash | $ 75,052 |
| $ 60,974 |
Accounts and other receivables, net (note 2) | 5,538 |
| 5,132 |
Inventories (note 2) | 8,814 |
| 6,596 |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 515 |
| 456 |
Total current assets | 89,919 |
| 73,158 |
Property and equipment, net (notes 4 and 10) | 10,224 |
| 10,618 |
Goodwill | 13,354 |
| 14,098 |
Other intangible assets (note 2) | 52,755 |
| 56,314 |
Other intangible assets - accumulated amortization | (42,378) |
| (38,552) |
Other intangible assets, net (note 2) | 10,377 |
| 17,762 |
Total assets | $ 123,874 |
| $ 115,636 |
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY |
|
|
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
Accounts payable | $ 1,218 |
| $ 761 |
Accrued expenses (note 2) | 4,742 |
| 2,984 |
Total current liabilities | 5,960 |
| 3,745 |
Long term lease liability | 341 |
| 396 |
Long term income tax payable (REPAT tax) (note 7) | 1,256 |
| 1,675 |
Deferred tax liability - intangible assets | 1,514 |
| 2,105 |
Deferred income taxes (note 7) | 549 |
| 577 |
Total liabilities | 9,620 |
| 8,498 |
Commitments and contingencies (notes 6 and 12) | - |
| - |
Stockholders' equity: |
|
|
|
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 50,000 shares authorized, issued 3,628 shares in 2022 and 3,655 shares in 2021 | 36 |
| 37 |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (12,039) |
| (9,054) |
Additional paid-in capital | 251 |
| 841 |
Retained earnings | 126,006 |
| 115,314 |
Total stockholders' equity | 114,254 |
| 107,138 |
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ 123,874 |
| $ 115,636 |
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements. |
|
|
|
39
UTAH MEDICAL PRODUCTS, INC. | ||||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE | ||||||
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022, 2021 AND 2020 | ||||||
(In thousands, except per share amounts) | ||||||
| ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2022 |
| 2021 |
| 2020 | |
Sales, net (notes 1, 3, 9 and 11) |
| $ 52,281 |
| $ 49,054 |
| $ 42,178 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of goods sold |
| 20,085 |
| 18,137 |
| 16,630 |
Gross profit |
| 32,196 |
| 30,917 |
| 25,548 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expense: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales and marketing |
| 1,507 |
| 1,414 |
| 1,554 |
Research and development |
| 493 |
| 526 |
| 486 |
General and administrative |
| 10,406 |
| 10,097 |
| 9,800 |
Operating income |
| 19,790 |
| 18,880 |
| 13,708 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income (expense): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividend and interest income |
| 661 |
| 166 |
| 112 |
Royalty income (note 12) |
| 20 |
| 15 |
| 20 |
Other, net |
| 188 |
| - |
| - |
Income before provision for income taxes |
| 20,659 |
| 19,061 |
| 13,840 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision for income taxes (note 7) |
| 4,186 |
| 4,273 |
| 3,042 |
Net income |
| $ 16,473 |
| $ 14,788 |
| $ 10,798 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per common share (basic) (note 1) |
| $ 4.53 |
| $ 4.05 |
| $ 2.95 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per common share (diluted) (note 1) |
| $ 4.52 |
| $ 4.04 |
| $ 2.94 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive income (loss): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency translation net of taxes of $0 in all periods |
| $ (2,986) |
| $ (773) |
| $ 1,502 |
Total comprehensive income |
| $ 13,487 |
| $ 14,015 |
| $ 12,300 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
40
UTAH MEDICAL PRODUCTS, INC. | ||||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW FOR THE | ||||||
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022, 2021 AND 2020 | ||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||
| ||||||
| 2022 |
| 2021 |
| 2020 | |
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
| $ 16,473 |
| $ 14,788 |
| $ 10,798 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation |
| 612 |
| 636 |
| 655 |
Amortization |
| 6,417 |
| 6,645 |
| 6,515 |
Provision for losses on accounts receivable |
| 30 |
| 24 |
| (5) |
Amortization of operating lease assets |
| 53 |
| 3 |
| 39 |
Loss/(Gain) on disposal of assets |
| - |
| - |
| 1 |
Deferred income taxes |
| (401) |
| (92) |
| (26) |
Stock-based compensation expense |
| 183 |
| 166 |
| 160 |
Tax benefit attributable to exercise of stock options |
| 6 |
| 39 |
| 7 |
(Increase) decrease in: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable |
| (511) |
| (1,088) |
| 617 |
Other receivables |
| (14) |
| (42) |
| 45 |
Inventories |
| (2,353) |
| (485) |
| 924 |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
| (64) |
| (81) |
| 108 |
Increase (decrease) in: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable |
| 464 |
| (23) |
| (308) |
Accrued expenses |
| 252 |
| 713 |
| 607 |
Net cash provided by operating activities |
| 21,147 |
| 21,203 |
| 20,137 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures for: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment |
| (809) |
| (552) |
| (860) |
Intangible assets |
| (9) |
| - |
| - |
Net cash (used in) investing activities |
| (818) |
| (552) |
| (860) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of common stock - options |
| 174 |
| 560 |
| 358 |
Common stock purchased and retired |
| (2,495) |
| - |
| (6,976) |
Dividends paid |
| (3,163) |
| (11,465) |
| (4,116) |
Net cash (used in) financing activities |
| (5,484) |
| (10,905) |
| (10,734) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash |
| (767) |
| (362) |
| 260 |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
| 14,078 |
| 9,384 |
| 8,803 |
Cash at beginning of year |
| 60,974 |
| 51,590 |
| 42,787 |
Cash at end of year |
| $ 75,052 |
| $ 60,974 |
| $ 51,590 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid during the period for income taxes |
| $ 4,970 |
| $ 4,617 |
| $ 3,186 |
Cash paid during the period for interest |
| - |
| - |
| - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
41
UTAH MEDICAL PRODUCTS, INC. | |||||||||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY FOR THE | |||||||||||
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022, 2021 AND 2020 | |||||||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Accumulated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Additional |
| Other |
|
|
| Total |
| Common Stock |
| Paid-in |
| Comprehensive |
| Retained |
| Stockholders' | ||
Shares |
| Amount |
| Capital |
| Income |
| Earnings |
| Equity | |
Balance at December 31, 2019 | 3,722 |
| $ 37 |
| $ 18 |
| $ (9,782) |
| $ 110,820 |
| $ 101,093 |
Shares issued upon exercise of employee | 8 |
| - |
| 358 |
| - |
| - |
| 358 |
Stock option compensation expense | - |
| - |
| 160 |
| - |
| - |
| 160 |
Common stock purchased and retired | (87) |
| (1) |
| (421) |
| - |
| (6,555) |
| (6,976) |
Foreign currency translation adjustment | - |
| - |
| - |
| 1,502 |
| - |
| 1,502 |
Common stock dividends | - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| (4,112) |
| (4,112) |
Net income | - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| 10,798 |
| 10,798 |
Balance at December 31, 2020 | 3,643 |
| $ 36 |
| $ 115 |
| $ (8,280) |
| $ 110,951 |
| $ 102,822 |
Shares issued upon exercise of employee | 14 |
| - |
| 787 |
| - |
| - |
| 787 |
Shares received and retired upon exercise | (2) |
| - |
| (227) |
| - |
| - |
| (227) |
Stock option compensation expense | - |
| - |
| 166 |
| - |
| - |
| 166 |
Common stock purchased and retired | - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
Foreign currency translation adjustment | - |
| - |
| - |
| (773) |
| - |
| (773) |
Common stock dividends | - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| (10,425) |
| (10,425) |
Net income | - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| 14,788 |
| 14,788 |
Balance at December 31, 2021 | 3,655 |
| $ 36 |
| $ 842 |
| $ (9,053) |
| $ 115,314 |
| $ 107,138 |
Shares issued upon exercise of employee | 4 |
| - |
| 211 |
| - |
| - |
| 211 |
Shares received and retired upon exercise | (1) |
| - |
| (37) |
| - |
| - |
| (37) |
Stock option compensation expense | - |
| - |
| 183 |
| - |
| - |
| 183 |
Common stock purchased and retired | (30) |
| - |
| (947) |
| - |
| (1,548) |
| (2,495) |
Foreign currency translation adjustment | - |
| - |
| - |
| (2,986) |
| - |
| (2,986) |
Common stock dividends | - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| (4,233) |
| (4,233) |
Net income | - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| 16,473 |
| 16,473 |
Balance at December 31, 2022 | 3,628 |
| $ 36 |
| $ 252 |
| $ (12,039) |
| $ 126,006 |
| $ 114,255 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
42
Utah Medical Products, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020
Currency amounts are in thousands except per-share amounts and where noted.
Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization
Utah Medical Products, Inc. with headquarters in Midvale, Utah and its wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, Femcare Limited located in Romsey, Hampshire, England, Femcare Australia Pty Ltd located in Castle Hill, NSW, Australia, Utah Medical Products Canada, Inc. (dba Femcare Canada) located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and Utah Medical Products Ltd., which operates a manufacturing facility in Athlone, Ireland, (in the aggregate, the Company) are in the primary business of developing, manufacturing and globally distributing specialized medical devices for the healthcare industry. The Company’s broad range of products includes those used in critical care areas and the labor and delivery departments of hospitals, as well as outpatient clinics and physicians’ offices. Products are sold directly to end-user facilities in the U.S., Ireland, UK, Canada, France and Australia, and through third party distributors in other outside the U.S. (OUS) markets. Domestically, until February 1, 2019, Femcare had an exclusive U.S. distribution relationship with CooperSurgical, Inc. (CSI) for the Filshie Clip System. UTMD also sells subcontract manufactured components and finished products to over 150 companies in the U.S. for their medical and non-medical products.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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 amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although actual results could differ from those estimates, management believes it has considered and disclosed all relevant information in making its estimates that materially affect reported performance and current values.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include those of the Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
For purposes of the consolidated statement of cash flows, the Company considers cash on deposit and short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash and cash equivalents.
Concentration of Credit Risk
The primary concentration of credit risk consists of trade receivables. In the normal course of business, the Company provides credit terms to its customers. Accordingly, the Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and maintains allowances for possible losses which, when realized, have been within the range of management's expectations as reflected by its reserves.
The Company's customer base consists of hospitals, medical device distributors, physician practices and others directly related to healthcare providers, as well as other manufacturing companies. Although the Company is affected by the well-being of the global healthcare industry, management does not believe significant trade receivable credit risk exists at December 31, 2022 except under an extreme global financial crisis.
The Company maintains its cash in bank deposit accounts in addition to Fidelity Investment money market accounts. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to a significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalent balances.
43
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are amounts due on product sales and are unsecured. Accounts receivable are carried at their estimated collectible amounts. Credit is generally extended on a short-term basis; thus, accounts receivable do not bear interest although a late charge may be applied to such receivables that are past the due date. Accounts receivable are periodically evaluated for collectability based on past credit history of customers and current market conditions. Provisions for losses on accounts receivable are determined on the basis of loss experience, known and inherent risk in the account balance and current economic conditions (see note 2).
Inventories
Finished products, work-in-process, raw materials and supplies inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value (NRV) computed on a first-in, first-out method. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation (see note 2).
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives as follows:
| |
Building and improvements | 15 - 40 years |
Furniture, equipment and tooling | 3 - 10 years |
Long-Lived Assets
The Company evaluates its long-lived assets in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 360, “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets.” Long-lived assets held and used by the Company are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their net book value may not be recoverable. When such factors and circumstances exist, the Company compares the projected undiscounted future cash flows associated with the related asset or group of assets over their estimated useful lives against their respective carrying amounts. Impairment, if any, is based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of those assets and is recorded in the period in which the determination was made.
Intangible Assets
Costs associated with the acquisition of patents, trademarks, trade names, customer relationships, regulatory approvals & product certifications, license rights and non-compete agreements are capitalized, and are being amortized using the straight-line method over periods ranging from 5 to 20 years. UTMD’s goodwill is tested for impairment annually, in the fourth quarter of each year, in accordance with ASC 350. UTMD also performs impairment tests contemporaneously, if circumstances change that would more than likely reduce the fair value of goodwill below its net book value. If UTMD determines that its goodwill is impaired, a second step is completed to measure the amount of the impairment loss. UTMD does not expect its goodwill to become impaired in the foreseeable future. Estimated future amortization expenses on intangible assets held as of December 31, 2022, using the 2022 year-end 1.2077 USD/GBP and 0.6805 USD/AUD currency exchange rates, is about $5,617 in 2023, $1,933 in 2024, $1,933 in 2025, $424 in 2026, and $12 in 2027 (see note 2).
In 2019, $21,000 in intangible assets were acquired from CSI. The future amortization expenses on those assets are estimated to be $3,864 in 2023 (see note 15).
44
Stock-Based Compensation
At December 31, 2022, the Company has stock-based employee compensation plans, which are described more fully in note 8. The Company accounts for stock compensation under ASC 718, Share-Based Payment. This statement requires the Company to recognize compensation cost based on the grant date fair value of options granted to employees and directors. In 2022, the Company recognized $183 in stock-based compensation cost compared to $166 in 2021 and $160 in 2020.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue at the time of product shipment as UTMD meets its contractual performance obligations to the customer at the time of shipment. Revenue recognized by UTMD is based upon the consideration to which UTMD is entitled from its customers as a result of shipping a physical product, in accordance with the documented arrangements and fixed contracts in which the selling price was fixed prior to the Company’s acceptance of an order. Revenue from service sales, which are immaterial to UTMD, is generally recognized when the service is completed and invoiced. As demonstrated by decades of experience in successful and consistent collections, there is very minor and insignificant uncertainty regarding the collectability of invoiced amounts reasonably within the terms of the Company’s contracts. There are circumstances under which insignificant revenue may be recognized when product is not shipped, which meet the criteria of ASC 606: the Company provides engineering services, for example, design and production of manufacturing tooling that may be used in subsequent UTMD manufacturing of custom components for other companies. This revenue is recognized when UTMD’s performance obligations have been completed according to a fixed contractual agreement. UTMD includes handling fees charged to customers in revenues.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under ASC 740, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” whereby deferred taxes are computed under the asset and liability method.
The Company accounts for deferred taxes under ASC 740, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, which requires that all deferred income taxes are classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position.
The TCJA contains a deemed repatriation transition tax (REPAT tax) on accumulated earnings and profits of the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries that have not been subject to U.S. tax. The Company has elected to pay its net REPAT tax over eight years.
The Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, in Utah, in the United Kingdom, in Australia, in Ireland and in Canada.
The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and any related penalties in income taxes. The Company did not recognize any tax-related interest expense or have any tax penalties in 2022 or 2021. In 2020 the Company paid tax penalties of $4.
Legal Costs
The Company has been involved in lawsuits which are an expected consequence of its operations and in the ordinary course of business. The Company maintains a reserve for legal costs which are probable and estimated based on previous experience and known risk. The reserve for legal costs at December 31, 2022 and 2021 was $204 and $96, respectively (see note 2).
Earnings per Share
The computation of basic earnings per common share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each year.
The computation of earnings per common share assuming dilution is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year plus the weighted average common stock equivalents which would arise from the exercise of stock options outstanding using the treasury stock method and the average market price per share during the year.
The shares (in thousands) used in the computation of the Company’s basic and diluted earnings per share are reconciled as follows:
2022 |
| 2021 |
| 2020 | |
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic | 3,637 |
| 3,647 |
| 3,658 |
Dilutive effect of stock options | 6 |
| 13 |
| 14 |
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, assuming dilution | 3,643 |
| 3,660 |
| 3,672 |
Presentation of Sales and Similar Taxes
Sales tax on revenue-producing transactions is recorded as a liability when the sale occurs. UTMD is not required to withhold sales tax on OUS sales, and at least 90% of domestic 2022 sales were to customers who are tax exempt or who are in jurisdictions where UTMD is not required to withhold sales tax.
Translation of Foreign Currencies
Assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the applicable exchange rates at year-end. Net gains or losses resulting from the translation of the Company’s assets and liabilities are reflected as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. A negative translation impact on stockholders’ equity reflects a current relative U.S. Dollar value higher than at the point in time that assets were actually acquired in a foreign currency. A positive translation impact would result from a U.S. dollar weaker in value than at the point in time foreign assets were acquired. Year-end translation gains or losses of non-functional currency bank account balances, e.g. EUR and AUD balances held by the UK subsidiary, are recognized as non-operating income or expense, as applicable.
Income and expense items are translated at the weighted average rate of exchange (based on when transactions actually occurred) during the year.
45
Note 2 – Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts
|
| December 31, | |||
| 2022 |
|
| 2021 | |
Accounts and other receivables: |
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable | $ | 5,720 |
| $ | 5,287 |
Accrued interest and other |
| 51 |
|
| 39 |
Less allowance for doubtful accounts |
| (182) |
|
| (156) |
Total accounts and other receivables | $ | 5,589 |
| $ | 5,170 |
Inventories: |
| . |
|
| |
Finished products | $ | 1,896 |
| $ | 1,468 |
Work-in-process |
| 1,193 |
|
| 1,398 |
Raw materials |
| 5,725 |
|
| 3,730 |
Total inventories | $ | 8,814 |
| $ | 6,596 |
Goodwill: |
|
|
| ||
Balance as of January 1 | $ | 14,098 |
| $ | 14,164 |
Effect of foreign exchange |
| (744) |
|
| (66) |
Subtractions as a result of impairment |
| - |
|
| - |
Total Goodwill as of December 31 | $ | 13,354 |
| $ | 14,098 |
Other Identifiable Intangible Assets: |
|
|
| ||
Patents | $ | 2,198 |
| $ | 2,212 |
Non-compete agreements |
| 121 |
|
| 135 |
Trademarks & trade names |
| 8,887 |
|
| 9,930 |
Customer relationships |
| 8,635 |
|
| 9,678 |
Distribution agreements |
| 21,000 |
|
| 21,000 |
Asset |
| 395 |
|
| 449 |
Regulatory approvals & product certifications |
| 11,519 |
|
| 12,910 |
Total Other Identifiable Intangible Assets |
| 52,755 |
|
| 56,314 |
Accumulated amortization |
| (42,378) |
|
| (38,552) |
Other Identifiable Intangible Assets, Net | $ | 10,377 |
| $ | 17,762 |
Accrued expenses: |
|
|
| ||
Income taxes payable (receivable) | $ | 337 |
| $ | 36 |
Payroll and payroll taxes |
| 1,318 |
|
| 1,225 |
Reserve for litigation costs |
| 204 |
|
| 96 |
Other |
| 2,883 |
|
| 1,627 |
Total accrued expenses | $ | 4,742 |
| $ | 2,984 |
Note 3 – Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
|
|
| Unaudited Quarterly Data for 2022 | |||||||||
|
| First Quarter |
|
| Second Quarter |
|
| Third Quarter |
|
| Fourth Quarter | |
Net Sales |
| $ | 12,323 |
| $ | 13,428 |
| $ | 12,955 |
| $ | 13,575 |
Gross Profit |
|
| 7,533 |
|
| 8,151 |
|
| 8,186 |
|
| 8,327 |
Net Income |
|
| 3,534 |
|
| 4,103 |
|
| 4,280 |
|
| 4,555 |
Earnings Per Common Share (Diluted) |
|
| 0.96 |
|
| 1.12 |
|
| 1.18 |
|
| 1.25 |
|
|
| Unaudited Quarterly Data for 2021 | |||||||||
|
| First Quarter |
|
| Second Quarter |
|
| Third Quarter |
|
| Fourth Quarter | |
Net Sales |
| $ | 10,964 |
| $ | 12,604 |
| $ | 12,572 |
| $ | 12,914 |
Gross Profit |
|
| 6,947 |
|
| 7,785 |
|
| 8,073 |
|
| 8,112 |
Net Income |
|
| 3,024 |
|
| 3,426 |
|
| 4,206 |
|
| 4,131 |
Earnings Per Common Share (Diluted) |
|
| 0.83 |
|
| 0.94 |
|
| 1.15 |
|
| 1.13 |
|
|
| Unaudited Quarterly Data for 2020 | |||||||||
|
| First Quarter |
|
| Second Quarter |
|
| Third Quarter |
|
| Fourth Quarter | |
Net Sales |
| $ | 10,902 |
| $ | 8,787 |
| $ | 10,479 |
| $ | 12,010 |
Gross Profit |
|
| 6,836 |
|
| 4,950 |
|
| 6,497 |
|
| 7,265 |
Net Income |
|
| 3,140 |
|
| 1,313 |
|
| 2,933 |
|
| 3,412 |
Earnings Per Common Share (Diluted) |
|
| 0.84 |
|
| 0.36 |
|
| 0.80 |
|
| 0.94 |
Note 4 – Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consists of the following:
|
| December 31, | |||
| 2022 |
|
| 2021 | |
Land | $ | 1,593 |
| $ | 1,690 |
Buildings and improvements |
| 13,601 |
|
| 14,172 |
Furniture, equipment and tooling |
| 17,068 |
|
| 16,660 |
Construction-in-progress |
| 906 |
|
| 898 |
Total |
| 33,168 |
|
| 33,420 |
Accumulated depreciation |
| (22,944) |
|
| (22,802) |
Property and equipment, net | $ | 10,224 |
| $ | 10,618 |
Included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet are the assets of its manufacturing and administrative facilities in Utah, Canada, England, Australia and Ireland. Property and equipment, by geographic area, are as follows:
|
|
| December 31, 2022 | |||||||||
|
| U.S. & Canada |
|
| England & Australia |
|
| Ireland |
|
| Total | |
Land |
| $ | 621 |
| $ | 605 |
| $ | 367 |
| $ | 1,593 |
Buildings and improvements |
|
| 6,566 |
|
| 3,043 |
|
| 3,992 |
|
| 13,601 |
Furniture, equipment and tooling |
|
| 14,950 |
|
| 693 |
|
| 1,425 |
|
| 17,068 |
Construction-in-progress |
|
| 412 |
|
| - |
|
| 494 |
|
| 906 |
Total |
|
| 22,549 |
|
| 4,341 |
|
| 6,278 |
|
| 33,168 |
Accumulated depreciation |
|
| (18,369) |
|
| (1,229) |
|
| (3,346) |
|
| (22,944) |
Property and equipment, net |
| $ | 4,180 |
| $ | 3,112 |
| $ | 2,932 |
| $ | 10,224 |
|
|
| December 31, 2021 | |||||||||
|
| U.S. & Canada |
|
| England & Australia |
|
| Ireland |
|
| Total | |
Land |
| $ | 621 |
| $ | 678 |
| $ | 391 |
| $ | 1,690 |
Buildings and improvements |
|
| 6,541 |
|
| 3,384 |
|
| 4,247 |
|
| 14,172 |
Furniture, equipment and tooling |
|
| 14,608 |
|
| 752 |
|
| 1,300 |
|
| 16,660 |
Construction-in-progress |
|
| 412 |
|
| 2 |
|
| 484 |
|
| 898 |
Total |
|
| 22,182 |
|
| 4,816 |
|
| 6,422 |
|
| 33,420 |
Accumulated depreciation |
|
| (18,168) |
|
| (1,164) |
|
| (3,470) |
|
| (22,802) |
Property and equipment, net |
| $ | 4,014 |
| $ | 3,652 |
| $ | 2,952 |
| $ | 10,618 |
46
Note 5 – Long-term Debt
None in 2021 and 2022.
Note 6 – Commitments and Contingencies
Purchase Obligations
The Company has obligations to purchase raw materials for use in its manufacturing operations. The Company has the right to make changes in, among other things, purchase quantities, delivery schedules and order acceptance.
Product Liability
The Company is self-insured for product liability risk. “Product liability” is an insurance industry term for the cost of legal defense and damages awarded to patients allegedly injured as a result of use of a company’s product. The Company maintains a reserve to cover product liability litigation expenses and possible damages consistent with its experience going back decades. Although actual product liability litigation expense at $670 was substantially higher in 2022 relative to history, costs during the prior two reporting years were immaterial. There were no product liability damages in any of the three reporting years, which is consistent with the Company’s long-term history.
The Company absorbs the costs of clinical training and trouble-shooting in its on-going operating expenses.
Warranty Reserve
The Company’s published warranty is: “UTMD warrants its products to conform in all material respects to all published product specifications in effect on the date of shipment, and to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of thirty (30) days for supplies, or twenty-four (24) months for equipment, from date of shipment. During the warranty period UTMD shall, at its option, replace any products shown to UTMD's reasonable satisfaction to be defective at no expense to the Purchaser or refund the purchase price.”
UTMD maintains a warranty reserve to provide for estimated costs which are likely to occur. The amount of this reserve is adjusted, as required, to reflect its actual experience. Based on its analysis of historical warranty claims and its estimate that existing warranty obligations are immaterial, no warranty reserve was made at December 31, 2022 or December 31, 2021.
Litigation
The Company has been involved in lawsuits which are an expected consequence of its operations and in the ordinary course of a medical device business. Presently, except for the Filshie clip lawsuits by a single U.S. law firm, there is no litigation or threatened litigation. The Company does not expect the outcome of the Filshie clip litigation will be material to consolidated financial results. The Company applies its accounting policy to accrue legal costs that can be reasonably estimated.
47
Note 7 – Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets (liabilities) consist of the following temporary differences:
|
| December 31, | ||||||
| 2022 |
|
| 2021 |
|
| 2020 | |
Inventory write-downs and differences due to UNICAP | $ | 103 |
| $ | 88 |
| $ | 86 |
Allowance for doubtful accounts |
| 39 |
|
| 31 |
|
| 32 |
Accrued liabilities and reserves |
| 90 |
|
| 58 |
|
| 68 |
Depreciation and amortization |
| (2,295) |
|
| (2,859) |
|
| (3,034) |
Deferred income taxes, net | $ | (2,063) |
| $ | (2,682) |
| $ | (2,848) |
The components of income tax expense are as follows:
|
| Years ended December 31, | ||||||
| 2022 |
|
| 2021 |
|
| 2020 | |
Current | $ | 4,632 |
| $ | 3,983 |
| $ | 3,253 |
Deferred |
| (446) |
|
| 290 |
|
| (211) |
Total | $ | 4,186 |
| $ | 4,273 |
| $ | 3,042 |
Income tax expense differed from amounts computed by applying the statutory federal rate to pretax income as follows:
|
| Years ended December 31, | ||||||
| 2022 |
|
| 2021 |
|
| 2020 | |
Federal income tax expense at the statutory rate | $ | 2,620 |
| $ | 2,520 |
| $ | 1,915 |
State income taxes |
| 490 |
|
| 448 |
|
| 369 |
Foreign income taxes (blended rate) |
| 1,129 |
|
| 1,010 |
|
| 550 |
R&D tax credits and manufacturing profit deduction |
| (3) |
|
| (6) |
|
| (7) |
Deemed repatriation transition tax |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 263 |
US Taxes on foreign income |
| (90) |
|
| (99) |
|
| (35) |
Change in Rate |
| - |
|
| 391 |
|
| - |
Other |
| 40 |
|
| 9 |
|
| (13) |
Total | $ | 4,186 |
| $ | 4,273 |
| $ | 3,042 |
The domestic and foreign components of income before income tax expense were as follows:
|
| Years ended December 31, | ||||||
| 2022 |
|
| 2021 |
|
| 2020 | |
Domestic | $ | 12,475 |
| $ | 12,004 |
| $ | 9,031 |
Foreign |
| 8,184 |
|
| 7,057 |
|
| 4,809 |
Total | $ | 20,659 |
| $ | 19,061 |
| $ | 13,840 |
48
Note 8 – Options
The Company has stock option plans which authorize the grant of stock options to eligible employees, directors and other individuals to purchase up to an aggregate of 509 thousand shares of common stock, of which 67 thousand are outstanding as of December 31, 2022. All options granted under the plans are granted at current market value at the date of grant, and may be exercised between six months and ten years following the date of grant. The plans are intended to advance the interest of the Company by attracting and ensuring retention of competent directors, employees and executive personnel, and to provide incentives to those individuals to devote their utmost efforts to the advancement of stockholder value. Changes in stock options were as follows:
|
| Shares |
|
| Price Range | |
2022 |
|
|
|
|
| |
Granted |
| 21 |
| $ | 82.60 - 82.60 | |
Expired or canceled |
| 2 |
|
| 33.30 - 77.05 | |
Exercised |
| 4 |
|
| 33.30 - 77.05 | |
Total outstanding at December 31 |
| 67 |
|
| 33.30 - 77.05 | |
Total exercisable at December 31 |
| 40 |
|
| 33.30 - 77.05 | |
|
| Shares |
|
| Price Range |
2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
Granted |
| - |
| $ | - - - |
Expired or canceled |
| 3 |
|
| 74.64 - 77.05 |
Exercised |
| 14 |
|
| 26.52 - 77.05 |
Total outstanding at December 31 |
| 52 |
|
| 33.30 - 77.05 |
Total exercisable at December 31 |
| 34 |
|
| 33.30 - 77.05 |
|
| Shares |
|
| Price Range |
2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
Granted |
| 26 |
| $ | 77.05 - 77.05 |
Expired or canceled |
| 1 |
|
| 58.50 - 77.05 |
Exercised |
| 8 |
|
| 26.52 - 74.64 |
Total outstanding at December 31 |
| 69 |
|
| 26.52 - 77.05 |
Total exercisable at December 31 |
| 33 |
|
| 26.52 - 74.64 |
For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company reduced current income taxes payable by $6, $39 and $7, respectively, for the income tax benefit attributable to sale by optionees of common stock received upon the exercise of stock options.
Stock-Based Compensation
In 2022, the Company recognized $183 in equity compensation cost, compared to $166 in 2021 and $160 in 2020.
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
|
| Years ended December 31, | ||||||
|
| 2022 |
|
| 2021 |
|
| 2020 |
Expected dividend amount per quarter | $ | 0.3050 |
| $ | - |
| $ | 0.2943 |
Expected stock price volatility |
| 29.87% |
|
| - |
|
| 27.5% |
Risk-free interest rate |
| 4.09% |
|
| - |
|
| 0.56% |
Expected life of options |
| 5.7 years |
|
| - |
|
| 5.3 years |
The per share weighted average fair value of options granted during 2022 is $25.34 and in 2020 is $16.17. No options were granted in 2021.
49
All UTMD options vest over a four-year service period. At December 31, 2022 there was $501 total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock options under the plans. A $199 portion of the cost is expected to be recognized over the next twelve months, and the remaining $302 recognized over the next 4 years. Expected dividend amounts were estimated based on the actual cash dividend rate at the time the options were granted and an estimate of future dividends based on past dividend rate changes as well as management’s expectations of future dividend rates over the expected holding period of the options. Expected volatility is based on UTMD’s historical volatility over recent periods of time and trends in that volatility, giving weight to more recent periods. Risk free interest rates were estimated based on actual U.S. Treasury Securities Interest rates as reported by the Federal Reserve Bank for periods of time equivalent to the holding periods estimated for the options on the dates the options were granted. Expected term of options were estimated based on historical holding periods for similar options previously granted by UTMD to employees and directors.
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 2022:
|
|
|
| Options Outstanding |
|
| Options Exercisable | ||||||||||
| Range of Exercise Prices |
|
| Actual Number Outstanding |
| Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) |
|
| Weighted Average Exercise Price |
|
| Number Exercisable |
|
| Weighted Average Exercise Price | ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
$ | 49.18 | - | 58.50 |
|
| 13,762 |
| 2.68 |
| $ | 54.12 |
|
| 13,762 |
| $ | 54.12 |
| 74.64 | - | 77.05 |
|
| 33,071 |
| 6.79 |
|
| 76.22 |
|
| 25,987 |
|
| 75.99 |
| 82.60 | - | 82.60 |
|
| 20,600 |
| 9.78 |
|
| 82.60 |
|
| 0 |
|
| 0.00 |
$ | 49.18 | - | 82.60 |
|
| 67,433 |
| 6.86 |
| $ | 73.66 |
|
| 39,749 |
| $ | 68.42 |
|
|
| ||||||
|
| 2022 |
|
| 2021 |
|
| 2020 |
Intrinsic Value of Stock Options Exercised | $ | 141 |
| $ | 591 |
| $ | 371 |
Intrinsic Value of Stock Options Outstanding | $ | 1,812 |
| $ | 1,595 |
| $ | 1,178 |
Note 9 – Geographic Information
The Company had sales in the following geographic areas based on the customer’s country of domicile:
| 2022 |
|
| 2021 |
|
| 2020 | |
United States | $ | 34,524 |
| $ | 31,758 |
| $ | 26,175 |
Europe |
| 7,214 |
|
| 7,434 |
|
| 6,399 |
Other |
| 10,543 |
|
| 9,862 |
|
| 9,604 |
Note 10 – Long-lived Assets by Geographic Area
The Company’s long-lived assets by geographic area were as follows:
| 2022 |
|
| 2021 |
|
| 2020 | |
United States | $ | 14,875 |
| $ | 19,104 |
| $ | 23,327 |
England |
| 15,184 |
|
| 19,339 |
|
| 21,871 |
Ireland |
| 2,954 |
|
| 2,990 |
|
| 3,173 |
Australia |
| 337 |
|
| 392 |
|
| 440 |
Canada |
| 593 |
|
| 653 |
|
| 672 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50
Note 11 – Revenues by Product Category and Geographic Region
Global revenues by product category:
|
| 2022 |
|
| 2021 |
|
| 2020 | |
Obstetrics |
| $ | 4,661 |
| $ | 4,675 |
| $ | 4,523 |
Gynecology/ Electrosurgery/ Urology |
|
| 21,841 |
|
| 21,973 |
|
| 20,552 |
Neonatal |
|
| 7,567 |
|
| 6,691 |
|
| 5,870 |
Blood Pressure Monitoring and Accessories |
|
| 18,212 |
|
| 15,715 |
|
| 11,233 |
Total: |
| $ | 52,281 |
| $ | 49,054 |
| $ | 42,178 |
Included in the Global revenues (above) were OUS revenues by product category:
|
| 2022 |
|
| 2021 |
|
| 2020 | |
Obstetrics |
| $ | 676 |
| $ | 735 |
| $ | 846 |
Gynecology/ Electrosurgery/ Urology |
|
| 11,603 |
|
| 11,053 |
|
| 9,934 |
Neonatal |
|
| 1,517 |
|
| 1,347 |
|
| 1,490 |
Blood Pressure Monitoring and Accessories |
|
| 6,514 |
|
| 5,260 |
|
| 4,042 |
Total: |
| $ | 20,310 |
| $ | 18,395 |
| $ | 16,312 |
Note 12 - Product Sale and Purchase Commitments
The Company has had license agreements for the rights to develop and market certain products or technologies owned by unrelated parties. The confidential terms of such agreements are unique and varied, depending on many factors relating to the value and stage of development of the technology licensed. Royalties on future product sales are a normal component of such agreements and are included in the Company’s cost of goods sold on an ongoing basis.
In 2022, 2021 and 2020, UTMD received royalties of $20, $15 and $20, respectively, for the use of intellectual property.
UTMD had $5,242 in operating lease and purchase commitments as of December 31, 2022.
Note 13 – Employee Benefit Plans
The Company sponsors a contributory 401(k) savings plan for U.S. employees, and contributory retirement plans for Ireland, UK, Australia and Canada employees. The Company’s matching contribution is determined annually by the board of directors. Company contributions were approximately $159, $165 and $167 for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
51
Note 14 – Leases
UTMD has operating leases for a portion of its parking lot at its Midvale facility and an automobile at its Ireland facility. The remaining lease term on the parking lot is 9 years and on the automobile is 18 months. There are no options to extend or terminate the leases. The parking lot lease contains a provision that requires an adjustment every five years to the lease payment based on the change in the Consumer Price Index. This adjustment occurred in 2021 requiring an increase of $87 to the value of the right-of-use asset and lease liabilities. UTMD has no other leases yet to commence. As neither lease contains implicit rates, UTMD’s incremental borrowing rate, based on information available at adoption date, was used to determine the present value of the leases.
Operating lease costs for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020 were $64, $63, and $61, respectively.
Supplemental balance sheet information related to operating leases was as follows (in thousands):
| As of December 31, 2022 |
Operating lease right-of-use assets | $395 |
| 54 |
Operating lease liabilities – long term | 341 |
Total operating lease liabilities | $395 |
Maturities of operating lease liabilities at December 31, 2022 were as follows (in thousands): | As of December 31, 2022 |
2023 | $54 |
2024 | 46 |
2025 | 41 |
2026 | 42 |
2027 | 43 |
Thereafter | 169 |
Total lease payments | $442 |
Less: imputed interest | (47) |
Total lease liabilities | $395 |
|
|
|
|
The following table provides information on the lease terms and discount rates: | As of December 31, 2022 |
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years) | 8.2 years |
Weighted-average discount rate | 3.3% |
Note 15 – Distribution Agreement Purchase
UTMD completed the purchase of exclusive U.S. distribution rights for the Filshie Clip System from CooperSurgical, Inc. (CSI) on February 1, 2019, after which CSI no longer sells the Filshie Clip System and UTMD distributes the Filshie Clip System directly to clinical facilities in the U.S. The $21,000 purchase price represents an identifiable intangible asset which will be straight-line amortized and recognized as part of G&A expenses over the 4.75 year remaining life of the prior CSI distribution agreement with Femcare. The agreement will be fully amortized in 4th quarter 2023. As part of the agreement, UTMD also purchased the remaining CSI inventory for approximately $2,100.
52
Note 16 – Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to the common stockholders of the company by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by assuming the exercise of stock options at the closing price of stock at the end of 2022.
The following table reconciles the numerator and the denominator used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share:
| |||||
| |||||
2022 |
| 2021 |
| 2020 | |
Numerator (in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
Net income | 16,473 |
| 14,788 |
| 10,798 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denominator |
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares, basic | 3,637 |
| 3,647 |
| 3,658 |
Dilutive effect of stock options | 6 |
| 13 |
| 14 |
Diluted shares | 3,643 |
| 3,660 |
| 3,672 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share, basic | 4.53 |
| 4.05 |
| 2.95 |
Earnings per share, diluted | 4.52 |
| 4.04 |
| 2.94 |
Note 17 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The Company has determined that other recently issued accounting standards will either have no material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows, or will not apply to its operations.
Note 18 – Subsequent Events
The Company evaluated its December 31, 2022 financial statements for subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued. The Company is not aware of any subsequent events which would require recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.
53
ITEM 9 – CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
UTMD Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 13a-15(e). UTMD’s Board of Directors, operating through its Audit Committee, provides oversight to its financial reporting process.
During 2022, UTMD evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, UTMD’s Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2022, its disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Company has included, as part of this Form 10-K, a report of management's assessment of the effectiveness of its internal controls as of December 31, 2022. Management's report appears on page 34 of this Form 10-K under the caption "Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting" and is incorporated herein by reference.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
There have been no changes in UTMD’s internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or were reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, and there were no material weaknesses.
ITEM 9C – DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
None.
54
PART III
ITEM 10 – DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information from the definitive proxy statement of the registrant for the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders under the captions,
·“PROPOSAL NO. 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS: General,” and “Directors and Nominees,”
·“SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN PERSONS,” and
·“EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION: 2022 Director Compensation,”
is incorporated herein by reference.
UTMD adopted a Code of Ethics for its executive officers, including the Chief Executive Officer and outside directors, in October 2003. The Code of Ethics, along with UTMD’s Code of Conduct, which covers all exempt employees (including all officers and outside directors) and certain non-exempt employees, is posted on UTMD’s web site at www.utahmed.com. UTMD intends to post on its website any waivers of or amendments to its Code of Ethics.
ITEM 11 - EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information from the definitive proxy statement of the registrant for the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders under the captions,
·“EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION,”
·“COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS,” and
·“BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OTHER BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS: Compensation and Option Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” specifically excluding the “Report of the Compensation Committee”
is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12 - SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information from the definitive proxy statement of the registrant for the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders under the captions,
·“SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN PERSONS” and
·“DISCLOSURE RESPECTING THE COMPANY’S EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS”
is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 13 - CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information from the definitive proxy statement of the registrant for the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders under the captions,
·“CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS”
·“BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OTHER BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS: Director Independence”
is incorporated herein by reference.
The information from the definitive proxy statement of the registrant for the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders in the first paragraph under the caption, “Report of the Audit Committee” is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 14 – PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The information from the definitive proxy statement of the registrant for the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders under the caption “PROPOSAL NO 3. RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM: Fees billed by Haynie & Company,” “Audit Committee Policy and Approval,” and “Auditor Independence” are incorporated herein by reference.
55
PART IV
ITEM 15 – EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report or incorporated herein by reference.
1.Financial Statements.
(See Table of Contents to Item 8, above.)
2.Supplemental Schedule.
Financial Statement Schedules are omitted because they are inapplicable or the required information is otherwise included in the accompanying Financial Statements and the notes thereto.
3.Exhibits.
Exhibit # | Title of Document | Location |
3.1 | Incorporated by Reference (1) | |
3.2 | Articles of Correction to the Restated Articles of Incorporation | Incorporated by Reference (1) |
3.3 | Incorporated by Reference (2) | |
10.1 | Employment Agreement dated December 21, 1992 with Kevin L. Cornwell* | Incorporated by Reference (3) |
10.2 | Incorporated by Reference (3) | |
10.3 | Utah Medical Products, Inc., 2003 Employees’ and Directors’ Incentive Plan* | Incorporated by Reference (4) |
10.4 | Utah Medical Products, Inc., 2013 Employees’ and Directors’ Incentive Plan* | Incorporated by Reference (5) |
10.5 | This filing | |
21 | This filing | |
23.1 | Consent of Haynie & Company, UTMD’s independent auditors for the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 | This filing |
23.2 | Consent of Nortons Assurance Limited, Femcare Group Limited’s independent auditors for the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 | This filing |
31.1 | This Filing | |
31.2 | This Filing | |
32.1 | This Filing | |
32.2 | This Filing | |
101 | The following financial information from the Utah Medical Products, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, and (v) related Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged in detail. | This Filing |
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document) | This Filing |
* Management contract of compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed pursuant to Item 14(c).
(1)Incorporated by reference from the Company’s annual report on form 10-K filed with the Commission for the year ended December 31, 2004.
(2)Incorporated by reference from the Company’s report on form 8-K filed with the Commission on February 13, 2014.
(3)Incorporated by reference from the Company’s annual report on form 10-K filed with the Commission for the year ended December 31, 2003.
(4)Incorporated by reference from the Company’s 2003 definitive proxy statement on form DEF 14A filed with the Commission on March 27, 2003.
(5)Incorporated by reference from the Company’s 2013 definitive proxy statement on form DEF 14A filed with the Commission on March 7, 2013.
ITEM 16 – FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
56
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 this 27th day of March 2023.
UTAH MEDICAL PRODUCTS, INC.
By:/s/ Kevin L. Cornwell
Kevin L. Cornwell
Chief Executive Officer
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 indicated on this 27th day of March 2023.
By: /s/ James H. Beeson
James H. Beeson, Director
By: /s/ Kevin L. Cornwell
Kevin L. Cornwell, Director
By: /s/ Ernst G. Hoyer
Ernst G. Hoyer, Director
By: /s/ Barbara A. Payne
Barbara A. Payne, Director
By: /s/ Paul O. Richins
Paul O. Richins, Director
57