FORM 8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 28, 2004

 

 

APOGENT TECHNOLOGIES INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Wisconsin   1-11091   22-2849508
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)   (Commission File Number)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

30 Penhallow Street

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

  03801
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

 

(603) 433-6131

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code


Item 5. Other Events

 

Apogent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: AOT), a leading manufacturer of clinical diagnostic and life science research products, on July 28, 2004 reported financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended June 30, 2004.

 

During the third quarter, Apogent completed certain restructuring activities at businesses within its Research Group, which resulted in special charges. Also in the third quarter, Apogent incurred transaction expenses associated with the pending merger with Fisher Scientific International Inc.

 

Including the impact of the special items, on a U.S. GAAP basis, income and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 were $34.7 million and $0.36, respectively. These results compare with income and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 of $35.7 million and $0.36, respectively.

 

Including the impact of the special items, on


a U.S. GAAP basis, income and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 were $97.2 million and $1.05, respectively. These results compare with income and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the nine months ended June 30, 2003 of $95.4 million and $0.92, respectively.

 

 

    

Three Months Ended

June 30,


  

Nine Months Ended

June 30,


     (In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

     2004

   2003

   2004

   2003

U.S GAAP

                           

Income from continuing operations

   $ 34,694    $ 35,704    $ 97,216    $ 95,383
    

  

  

  

Diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations

   $ 0.36    $ 0.36    $ 1.05    $ 0.92
    

  

  

  

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding

     95,812      100,526      92,884      104,056
    

  

  

  


Net sales for the third quarter were $307.7 million, compared with $278.5 million in the same period last year, an increase of 10.5%. Net sales for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 were $884.3 million, compared with $812.9 million in the same period last year, an increase of 8.8%.

 

Quarterly and year-to-date comparisons of net sales by business segment are as follows:

 

    

Three Months Ended
June 30,


   % Total Sales
Increase


 

(in thousands)


   2004

   2003

  

Business Segment

                    

Clinical Group

   $ 141,298    $ 127,818    10.5 %

Research Group

     166,403      150,660    10.4 %
    

  

      

Total

   $ 307,701    $ 278,478    10.5 %
    

  

      
     Nine Months Ended
June 30,


   % Total Sales
Increase


 

(in thousands)


   2004

   2003

  

Business Segment

                    

Clinical Group

   $ 409,775    $ 379,747    7.9 %

Research Group

     474,515      433,167    9.5 %
    

  

      

Total

   $ 884,290    $ 812,914    8.8 %
    

  

      

 

Apogent’s net sales by geographic area are as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,


(in thousands)


   2004

   2003

Geographic Area

             

North America

   $  222,701    $  203,894

Europe

     58,358      51,416

Asia

     19,488      17,327

Other

     7,154      5,841
    

  

Total

   $ 307,701    $ 278,478
    

  


    

Nine Months Ended

June 30,


(in thousands)


   2004

   2003

Geographic Area

             

North America

   $  629,890    $ 594,604

Europe

     174,470      152,486

Asia

     59,394      49,413

Other

     20,536      16,411
    

  

Total

   $ 884,290    $ 812,914
    

  

 

DETAILED FINANCIAL RESULTS

 

Please refer to the financial statements below when reviewing the following financial information.

 

Gross profit and margin were $145.3 and 47.2% for the quarter, compared with gross profit and margin of $133.7 and 48.0% for the third quarter of fiscal 2003. Gross profit and margin were $418.1 and 47.3% for the nine months ended June 30, 2004, compared with gross profit and margin of $389.8 million and 48.0% for the nine months ended June 30, 2003.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $81.7 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2004, compared with $70.4 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2003. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $237.5 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2004, compared with $210.7 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2003.


Operating income and margin were $63.6 million and 20.7% of net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2004, compared with $63.3 million and 22.7% of net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2003. Operating income and margin were $180.6 million and 20.4% of net sales for the nine months ended June 30, 2004, compared with $179.1 and 22.0% of net sales for the nine months ended June 30, 2003.

 

Net income and margin for the three months ended June 30, 2004 were $34.3 million and 11.1% of net sales, compared to $35.5 million and 12.8% of net sales for the same period in 2003. Net income and margin for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 were $96.9 million and 11.0% of net sales, compared to $7.9 million and 1.0% of net sales for the same period in 2003.

 

Fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding were 95.8 million for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004, compared with fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding of 100.5 million for the same period in fiscal 2003. Fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding were 92.9 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2004, compared with fully diluted weighted shares outstanding of 104.1 million for the same period in fiscal 2003. The period-over-period decreases in fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding resulted from repurchases of Company stock between October 2002 and December 2003. Included in the fully diluted shares outstanding for the three months and nine months ended June 30, 2004 are 3.3 million shares and 1.1 million shares arising from our convertible debt, which became convertible on June 16, 2004 due to the pending merger with Fisher Scientific and will remain convertible until 15


days after the closing of the transaction. No convertible debt was converted as of June 30, 2004.

 

The net cash provided by operating activities for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 was $63.5 million, compared to $58.5 million for the same period last year. The net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 was $176.8 million, compared to $115.4 million for the same period last year. The period-over-period increases in free cash flow resulted from the timing of tax payments and reduced capital expenditures.

 

Inventory was $222.3 million at the end of the third quarter. Inventory turns for the quarter were 2.7, compared with 2.6 for the second quarter of fiscal 2004. Accounts receivable at the end of the quarter were $191.1 million. Days sales outstanding in the third quarter were 54.5 days, compared with 52.0 days for the second quarter of fiscal 2004.

 

SPECIAL ITEMS

 

Restructuring expenses during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 were $1.8 million and $7.0 million, respectively. These charges were primarily related to costs associated with the consolidation of facilities and discontinuance of certain product lines.

 

Additionally, during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004, the Company incurred transaction expenses of approximately $2.0 million and $4.2 million, respectively, associated with the pending merger with Fisher Scientific International Inc.


UPCOMING COMPANY TRADE SHOW EXHIBITS

 

Show


 

Details


American Association of Clinical Chemistry

 

July 25 – 29, 2004

Los Angeles, CA

www.aacc.org

Drug Discovery Technology

 

August 8-13, 2004

Boston, MA

www.drugdisc.com

Chips to Hits

 

September 20-22, 2004

Boston, MA

www.chipstohits.com

 


APOGENT TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands except share and per share data)

(unaudited)

 

     June 30,
2004


    September 30,
2003


 
Assets                 

Current assets:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 92,872     $ 18,505  

Marketable securites - available for sale

     15,166       17,625  

Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $5,369 and $4,286 respectively)

     191,055       179,523  

Inventories

     222,315       206,549  

Deferred income taxes

     15,308       15,308  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     19,699       16,518  
    


 


Total current assets

     556,415       454,028  

Property, plant and equipment, net

     269,555       282,752  

Intangible assets, net

     199,833       179,492  

Goodwill

     1,023,564       999,243  

Other assets

     39,061       34,476  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 2,088,428     $ 1,949,991  
    


 


Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

                

Current liabilities:

                

Short-term debt and overdrafts

   $ 10,889     $ 12,801  

Current portion of long-term debt

     2,190       2,281  

Accounts payable

     47,339       50,220  

Income taxes payable

     41,584       20,053  

Accrued payroll and employee benefits

     39,389       34,484  

Accrued interest expense

     3,780       8,844  

Restructuring reserve

     3,048       1,758  

Other current liabilities

     48,851       38,883  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     197,070       169,324  

Long-term debt, less current portion

     912,333       891,989  

Deferred income taxes

     154,827       137,683  

Other liabilities

     29,350       26,948  

Commitments and contingent liabilities

                

Shareholders’ equity:

                

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 20,000,000 shares

     —         —    

Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 250,000,000 shares; issued 107,120,682 and 107,057,865 shares; outstanding 89,988,443 and 92,013,345 shares, respectively

     1,071       1,071  

Additional paid-in capital

     287,400       270,119  

Retained earnings

     833,993       737,045  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     18,085       (3,127 )

Deferred compensation

     (4,955 )     —    

Treasury common stock, 17,132,239 and 15,044,520 shares at cost

     (340,746 )     (281,061 )
    


 


Total shareholders’ equity

     794,848       724,047  
    


 


Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 2,088,428     $ 1,949,991  
    


 



APOGENT TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

    Three Months Ended
June 30,


    Nine Months Ended
June 30,


 
    2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Net sales

  $ 307,701     $ 278,478     $ 884,290     $ 812,914  

Cost of sales:

                               

Cost of products sold

    161,008       143,839       464,529       422,205  

Restructuring charges

    1,365       955       1,652       955  
   


 


 


 


Total cost of sales

    162,373       144,794       466,181       423,160  
   


 


 


 


Gross profit

    145,328       133,684       418,109       389,754  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    79,330       69,923       227,940       209,863  

Merger expenses

    1,953       —         4,239       —    

Restructuring charges and asset impairments

    399       475       5,370       807  
   


 


 


 


Total selling, general and administrative expenses

    81,682       70,398       237,549       210,670  
   


 


 


 


Operating income

    63,646       63,286       180,560       179,084  

Other income (expense):

                               

Interest expense, net

    (6,891 )     (11,635 )     (22,707 )     (32,427 )

Amortization of deferred financing fees

    (1,681 )     (1,006 )     (4,693 )     (2,809 )

Loss on extinguishment of debt

    —         —         (171 )     —    

Other, net

    313       163       741       943  
   


 


 


 


Income from continuing operations before income taxes

    55,387       50,808       153,730       144,791  

Income taxes

    20,693       15,104       56,514       49,408  
   


 


 


 


Income from continuing operations

    34,694       35,704       97,216       95,383  

Discontinued operations, net of income tax benefit

    (413 )     (188 )     (267 )     (87,516 )
   


 


 


 


Net income

  $ 34,281     $ 35,516     $ 96,949     $ 7,867  
   


 


 


 


Basic earnings per common share from continuing operations

  $ 0.39     $ 0.36     $ 1.08     $ 0.93  

Discontinued operations

    (0.00 )     (0.00 )     (0.00 )     (0.85 )
   


 


 


 


Basic earnings per common share

  $ 0.38     $ 0.36     $ 1.08     $ 0.08  
   


 


 


 


Diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations

  $ 0.36     $ 0.36     $ 1.05     $ 0.92  

Discontinued operations

  $ (0.00 )     (0.00 )   $ (0.00 )     (0.84 )
   


 


 


 


Diluted earnings per common share

  $ 0.36     $ 0.35     $ 1.05     $ 0.08  
   


 


 


 


Weighted average basic shares outstanding

    89,654       99,486       89,601       103,053  

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding

    95,812       100,526       92,884       104,056  


APOGENT TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

    

Nine Months Ended

June 30,


 
     2004

    2003

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                

Net income

   $ 96,949     $ 7,867  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

                

Discontinued operations

     267       87,516  

Depreciation

     34,464       31,819  

Amortization of intangible assets and deferred financing fees

     16,754       14,377  

Amortization of deferred compensation

     991       —    

Gain on sale of property plant and equipment

     196       244  

Asset impairments

     2,693       —    

Loss on extinguishment of debt and settlement of securities lending

     171       —    

Deferred income taxes

     15,370       10,252  

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of businesses acquired:

                

(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable

     (4,518 )     2,504  

Increase in inventories

     (8,327 )     (11,110 )

Increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (3,111 )     (3,376 )

Decrease in accounts payable

     (4,892 )     (6,956 )

Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable

     20,735       (6,604 )

Increase (decrease) in accrued payroll and employee benefits

     3,933       (1,372 )

Decrease in accrued interest expense

     (5,064 )     (7,290 )

Increase (decrease) in restructuring reserve

     1,290       (298 )

Increase in other current liabilities

     6,336       2,842  

Net change in other assets and liabilities

     2,532       (4,970 )
    


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     176,769       115,445  
    


 


Cash flows from investing activities:

                

Capital expenditures

     (18,466 )     (37,684 )

Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment

     2,639       1,221  

Net payments for businesses acquired

     (41,983 )     (21,654 )

Other investing activities

     696       1,546  
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (57,114 )     (56,571 )
    


 


Cash flows from financing activities:

                

Proceeds from revolving credit facility

     161,300       469,400  

Principal payments on revolving credit facility

     (484,406 )     (469,400 )

Proceeds from long-term debt

     345,000       250,000  

Principal payments on long-term debt

     —         (23,408 )

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options

     50,770       2,543  

Proceeds from employee stock purchase program

     1,586       927  

Purchase of treasury stock

     (109,437 )     (226,348 )

Financing fees paid

     (9,320 )     (9,168 )

Premium paid on extinguishment of debt and settlement of securities lending

     (171 )     —    

Other financing activities

     —         2,510  
    


 


Net cash used in financing activities

     (44,678 )     (2,944 )
    


 


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (610 )     13,893  
    


 


Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     74,367       69,823  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     18,505       16,327  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 92,872     $ 86,150  
    


 



Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure

 

Attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, but only furnished pursuant to Item 12 of this Report, is the registrant’s press release dated July 28, 2004 announcing the Company’s earnings for the quarter and nine months ended June 30, 2004.

 

Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition

 

Attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 is the registrant’s press release dated July 28, 2004 announcing the Company’s earnings for the three months ended June 30, 2004. Within the press release, the Company has presented certain financial information that has not been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“Non-GAAP Measures”). The Company has presented Non-GAAP Measures for, among others: (i) adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”); and (ii) free cash flow. With respect to all such Non-GAAP Measures, the Company has included (a) a presentation of the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”); and (b) a quantitative reconciliation of the differences between the Non-GAAP Measures and the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.

 

The Company has included information concerning Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow because the Company’s management believes that some investors use Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow as measures of a company’s historical ability to service its debt. Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow should not be considered as alternatives to, or more meaningful than, net income as an indicator of the Company’s operating performance, or cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. As indicated on the attached, Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow have not been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow, as presented by Apogent, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Certain other non-GAAP financial measures (i.e., adjusted gross profit, adjusted gross margin, and adjusted operating income) have been provided in order to provide consistency with the format of presentation previously made to the investing public.

 

Investors should recognize these Non-GAAP Measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies and that the measures presented are not a substitute or alternatives for measures of financial performance determined in accordance with GAAP, such as net income as a measure of operating results or cash flows as a measure of liquidity.


SIGNATURE

 

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

 

       

APOGENT TECHNOLOGIES INC.

(Registrant)

Date: July 29, 2004       By:  

/s/ Michael K. Bresson


           

Michael K. Bresson

Executive Vice President – Administration,

General Counsel and Secretary


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description


99.1    Press release dated July 28, 2004, reporting Apogent’s quarterly and year-to-date results as of June 30, 2004.