UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K /X/ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 ------------------------------------------- OR / / TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from _____________ to ________________ Commission file number 0-12938 INVACARE CORPORATION ----------------------------------------------------- (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) Ohio 95-2680965 - ------------------------------- -------------------------------------- (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) incorporation or organization) One Invacare Way, P. O. Box 4028, Elyria, Ohio 44036 ---------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (440) 329-6000 -------------- Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of Each Class Name of Exchange on which Registered - ------------------- ------------------------------------ Common Shares, without par value New York Stock Exchange Rights to Purchase Commons Shares New York Stock Exchange of Invacare, without par value Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None ---- 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 the filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No --- --- Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [ ] 1 As of February 28, 2001, 29,127,281 Common Shares and 1,371,623 Class B Common Shares were outstanding. At that date, the aggregate market value of the 26,092,904 Common Shares of the Registrant held by non-affiliates was $948,313,980 and the aggregate market value of the 32,063 Class B Common Shares of the Registrant held by non-affiliates was $1,165,290. While the Class B Common Shares are not listed for public trading on any exchange or market system, shares of that class are convertible into Common Shares at any time on a share-for-share basis. The market values indicated were calculated based upon the last sale price of the Common Shares as reported by New York Stock Exchange on February 28, 2001, which was $36.34. For purposes of this information, the 3,034,377 Common Shares and 1,339,560 Class B Common Shares which were held by Executive Officers and Directors were deemed to be the Common Shares and Class B Common Shares held by affiliates. Documents Incorporated By Reference Part of Form 10-K Document Incorporated By Reference Part III (Items 10, 11, Portions of the Registrant's 12 and 13) definitive Proxy Statement to be used in connection with its 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Except as otherwise stated, the information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K is as of December 31, 2000. 2 PART I Item 1. Business. (a) General Development of Business. Invacare Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and distributor of non-acute health care products based upon its distribution channels, the breadth of its product line and sales. The company designs, manufactures and distributes an extensive line of health care products for the non-acute care environment including the home health care, retail and extended care markets. Invacare continuously revises and expands its product lines to meet changing market demands and currently offers over two dozen-product lines. The company's products are sold principally to over 10,000 home health care and medical equipment provider locations in the U.S., Australia, Canada, Europe and New Zealand, with the remainder of its sales being primarily to government agencies and distributors. Invacare's products are sold through its worldwide distribution network by its sales force, telesales associates and various organizations of independent manufacturer's representatives and distributors. The company also distributes medical equipment and related supplies manufactured by others. Invacare is committed to design, manufacture and distribute the best value in mobility products and medical equipment for people with disabilities and those requiring care in the non-acute environment. Invacare intends to achieve this vision by: * designing and developing innovative and technologically superior products; * ensuring continued focus on our primary market - the non-acute health care market; * marketing our broad range of products under the "Total One Stop Shoppingsm" strategy; * providing the industry's most professional and cost-effective sales, customer service and distribution organization; * supplying superior and innovative provider support and aggressive product line extensions; * building a strong referral base among health care professionals; * building brand preference with consumers; * handling the retail channel through a dedicated sales and marketing structure; * continuous advancement/recruitment of top management candidates; * empowering all employees; * providing a performance-based reward environment; and * continually striving for total quality throughout the organization. When the company was acquired in December 1979 by a group of investors, including certain members of management and the Board of Directors, it had $19.5 million in net sales and a limited product line of standard wheelchairs and patient aids. In 2000, Invacare reached $1,013 million in net sales, representing a 21% compound average sales growth rate since 1979, and currently is the leading company in the industry which manufactures, distributes and markets products in each of the following major non-acute medical equipment categories: power and manual wheelchairs, patient aids, home care beds, home respiratory products, low air loss therapy products, seating and positioning products and bathing equipment. The company's executive offices are located at One Invacare Way, Elyria, Ohio and its telephone number is (440) 329-6000. In this report, "Invacare" and the "company" refer to Invacare Corporation and, unless the context otherwise indicates, its consolidated subsidiaries. (b) Financial Information About Industry Segments. The company operates predominantly in the home medical equipment industry segment. For information relating to net sales, operating income, identifiable assets and other information for this industry segment, see the Consolidated Financial Statements of the company. (c) Narrative Description of Business. 3 THE HOME MEDICAL EQUIPMENT INDUSTRY North America and Australasia The home medical equipment market includes home health care products, physical rehabilitation products and other non-disposable products used for the recovery and long-term care of patients. The company believes that sales of domestic home medical equipment products will continue to grow during the next decade as a result of several factors, including: Growth in population over age 65. The nation's overall life expectancy increases with every passing year reaching its current all time high of approximately 76.5 years. Based on a 1999 U.S. government report, 13% of the U.S. population in 1997 was 65 or older, this percentage is expected to increase to 20% by 2030. The over 65 age group represents the vast majority of home health care patients and continues to grow. A significant percentage of people using home and community-based health care services are also 65 years of age and older. Treatment trends. Many medical professionals and patients prefer home health care over institutional care because they believe that it results in greater patient independence, increased patient responsibility and improved responsiveness to treatment as familiar surroundings are believed to be conducive to improved patient outcomes. Health care professionals, public payors and private payors agree that home care is a cost effective, clinically appropriate alternative to facility-based care. Recent surveys show that approximately 70% of adults would rather recover from accident or illness in their home, while approximately 90% of the older population showed preference for home-based long-term care. Technological trends. Technological advances have made medical equipment increasingly adaptable for use in the home as current hospital procedures often allow for earlier patient discharge, thereby lengthening recuperation periods outside of the traditional institutional setting. In addition, continuing medical advances prolong the lives of adults and children, thus increasing the demand for home medical care equipment. Healthcare cost containment trends. In 1997, spending on health care in the U.S. was nearly $1.1 trillion dollars, which is approximately 14.0% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the highest among industrialized countries. In 2007, the nation's health care spending is projected to increase to $2.1 trillion, averaging annual increases of 7%. Over this same period, spending on health care is expected to increase from approximately 14% to 17% as a share of GDP in the years 1996 through 2007. The rising cost of health care has caused many payors of health care expenses to look for ways to contain costs. Home health care has gained wide-spread acceptance among health care providers and public policy makers as a cost effective, clinically appropriate and patient preferred alternative to facility-based care for a variety of acute and long-term illnesses and disabilities. Thus, the company believes that home health care and home medical equipment will play a significant role in reducing health care costs. Society's mainstreaming of people with disabilities. People with disabilities are part of the fabric of society, and this has increased, in large part, due to the Americans with Disabilities Act which became law in 1991. This legislation provides mainstream opportunities to people with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act imposes requirements on certain components of society to make "reasonable accommodations" to integrate people with disabilities into the community and the workplace. Distribution channels. The changing home health care market continues to provide new ways of reaching the end user. The distribution network for products has expanded to include not only specialized home health care providers and extended care facilities but retail drug stores, surgical supply houses, rental, hospital and HMO-based stores, home health agencies, mass merchandisers, direct sales and the internet. Europe The company believes that, while many of the market factors influencing demand in the U.S. are also present in Europe - aging of the population, technological trends and society's acceptance of people with disabilities - each of the major national markets within Europe has distinctive characteristics. The European health care industry is more heavily socialized than the United States and is therefore more influenced by government regulation and fiscal policy. Variations in product specifications, regulatory approvals, distribution requirements and reimbursement policies require the company to tailor its approach to each market. Management believes that as the European markets become more homogeneous and the company continues to refine its distribution channels, the company can more effectively penetrate these markets. 4 GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS AND PRODUCT CATEGORIES North America North American operations, are aligned into five primary product groups, which manufacture and market products in all of the major home medical equipment categories. In Canada, the company principally sells Invacare products manufactured in the U.S. The company also sells standard wheelchairs and seating and positioning products manufactured in Canada. REHAB PRODUCTS Power wheelchairs. Invacare manufactures a complete line of power wheelchairs for individuals who require independent powered mobility. The range includes products that can be significantly customized to meet an individual's specific needs, as well as products that are inherently versatile to meet a broad range of individual requirements. Power wheelchair lines are marketed under the Invacare(R) brand name and include a full range of powered mobility products. The Pronto M6, introduced in 2000, is a compact, maneuverable power wheelchair designed to allow elderly consumers to be more mobile in the home and community. Custom manual wheelchairs. Invacare manufactures and markets a range of custom manual wheelchairs for everyday, sports and recreational uses. These lightweight chairs are marketed under the Invacare and Invacare Top End(R) product names. The chairs provide mobility for people with moderate to severe disabilities in their everyday activities as well as for various sports such as basketball, racing, skiing and tennis. Scooters. Invacare distributes three- and four-wheeled motorized scooters, including rear wheel drive models for both outdoor and indoor use and markets them under the Invacare brand name. In 1999, a complete line of scooters was introduced under the Lynx(TM) and Panther(TM) product names. Seating and positioning products. Invacare manufactures seat cushions, back positioners and a variety of attachments used for comfort, support, pressure relief and posture control and markets them under the Invacare(R) brand name. Additional seating products marketed under the Invacare brand, include the Tarsys(TM) range of powered tilt and recline seating systems for use on power wheelchairs. Our Invacare 2G Tilt and Recline products continue to be successful in the market. STANDARD PRODUCTS Manual wheelchairs. Invacare's manual wheelchairs are sold for use in the home, institutional setting or public places (e.g.: airports, malls, etc.) by people who are chronically or temporarily disabled but do not require or qualify under medical reimbursement programs for customization in terms of size, basic performance characteristics, or frame modification. Examples of Invacare's standard wheelchair lines, which are marketed under the Invacare(R) brand name, include the 9000 and TracerTM product lines. Both standard and prescription manual wheelchairs are designed to accommodate the diverse capabilities of the individual. Personal care. Invacare manufactures and/or distributes a full line of patient aids, including ambulatory aids such as crutches, canes, walkers and wheeled walkers; bath safety aids such as tub transfer benches, shower chairs and grab bars; and patient care products such as commodes, lift-out chairs and foam products. Home care beds. Invacare manufactures and distributes a wide variety of manual, semi-electric and fully-electric beds for home use under the Invacare(R) brand name. Home care bed accessories include bedside rails, mattresses, overbed tables, trapeze bars and traction equipment. Low air loss therapy products. Invacare manufactures and markets a complete line of mattress overlays and replacement products, under the Invacare(R) brand name, which use air flotation to redistribute weight and move moisture away from patients who are immobile and spend a great deal of time in bed. CONTINUING CARE / DISTRIBUTED PRODUCTS Distributed products. Invacare distributes numerous lines of branded medical supplies including ostomy, incontinence, diabetic and wound care products. Patient transport. Invacare manufactures and markets products for use in the home and institutional settings, including patient lifts and slings, multi-position recliners and bathing equipment. Health Care Furnishings. Invacare, operating as Invacare Continuing Care Group, is a manufacturer and distributor of beds and furnishings for the non-acute care markets. 5 RESPIRATORY PRODUCTS Home respiratory products. Invacare manufactures and/or distributes home respiratory products including oxygen concentrators, nebulizer compressors and respiratory disposables, sleep therapy products, portable compressed oxygen systems and liquid oxygen systems. Invacare's home respiratory products are marketed predominantly under the Invacare(R) brand name. OTHER PRODUCTS Accessory Products. Invacare also manufactures, markets and distributes many accessory products, including spare parts, wheelchair cushions, arm rests, wheels and respiratory parts. In some cases, Invacare's accessory items are built to be interchangeable so that they can be used to replace parts on products manufactured by others. Australasia The company's Australasia operations consist of Invacare Australia, which imports and distributes the Invacare range of products and manufactures and distributes the Rollerchair range of custom power wheelchairs, Dynamic Controls, a New Zealand manufacturer of operating components used in power wheelchairs and Invacare New Zealand, a distribution business and a manufacturer of the Thompson line of mobility products. Europe The company's European operations operate as a "common market" company with sales throughout Western Europe. The European operation currently sells a line of products providing significant room for growth as Invacare continues to broaden its product line offerings to mirror that of the North American operations. Most wheelchair products sold in Europe are designed and manufactured locally to meet specific market requirements. However, as a result of Invacare's worldwide development efforts, the Action 2000, a manual lightweight design that originated in the U.S., was the first wheelchair in Europe to meet the high standards of quality required to receive the Community European (CE) mark. In addition, certain power wheelchair products sold in the United States are adaptations of products originally designed for the European markets. Also, with the acquisition of Scandinavian Mobility, Invacare not only has improved access of such products to Nordic markets, but also has a range of premium designs which are exported worldwide to the U.S., Far East and Southern Europe. The company manufactures and/or assembles both manual and power wheelchair products at six of its European facilities - Invacare Ltd. in the U.K., Invacare Poirier S.A. in France, Invacare Deutschland GmbH in Germany, Invacare Portugal Lda.in Portugal, Invacare AG in Switzerland, and Invacare Rea AB in Sweden. Motorized scooters are manufactured in Germany. Beds are manufactured at Invacare EC-Hong A/S in Denmark. Self care products, bathtubs, patient lifts and slings are also manufactured in the United Kingdom, France, and Holland. Oxygen products are imported from Invacare's U.S. operations. WARRANTY Generally, the company's products are covered by warranties against defects in material and workmanship for periods up to six years from the date of sale to the customer. Certain components carry a lifetime warranty. A non-renewable warranty also is offered on various products for a maximum period of five years. COMPETITION In each of the company's major product lines, both domestically and internationally, there are a limited number of significant national competitors and a number of multi-national competitors. In some countries or in certain product lines, the company may face competition from other manufacturers that have larger market shares, greater resources or other competitive advantages. Invacare believes that it is the leading home medical equipment manufacturer based on its distribution channels, breadth of product line and sales. North America and Australasia The home medical equipment (HME) market is highly competitive, and Invacare's products face significant competition from other well-established manufacturers. The company believes that its success in increasing market share is dependent on providing value to the customer based on the quality, performance and price of the company's products, the range of products offered, the technical expertise of the sales force, the effectiveness of the company's distribution system, the strength of the dealer and distributor network and the availability of prompt and reliable service for its products. The company believes that its "Total One Stop Shoppingsm" approach provides the competitive advantage necessary for continuing profitability and market share growth. Various manufacturers have, from time to time, instituted price-cutting programs in an effort to gain market share. There can be no assurance that other HME manufacturers will not attempt to implement such aggressive pricing in the future. 6 Europe As a result of the differences encountered in the European marketplace, competition generally varies from one country to another. The company typically encounters one or two strong competitors in each country, some of them becoming regional leaders in specific product lines. MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION North America and Australasia Invacare's products are marketed in the United States and Australasia primarily to providers who in turn sell or rent these products directly to consumers within the non-acute care setting. Invacare's primary customer is the HME provider. The company also employs a "pull-through" marketing strategy to medical professionals, including physical and occupational therapists, who refer their patients to HME providers to obtain specific types of home medical equipment. Invacare's domestic sales and marketing organization consists primarily of a home care sales force, which markets and sells Invacare(R) branded products to HME providers. Sales to the non-acute care market are conducted through the company's Invacare Continuing Care Group (ICCG) which contracts with independent manufacturer's sales representatives. Each member of Invacare's home care sales force functions as a Territory Business Manager (TBM) and handles all product and service needs for an account, thus saving customers valuable time. The TBM also provides training and servicing information to providers, as well as product literature, point-of-sales materials and other advertising and merchandising aids. In Canada, products are sold by a direct sales force and distributed through regional distribution centers in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec to health care providers throughout Canada. To complement its outside direct sales force, and to support its efforts to increase business with smaller-to-medium- sized customers, the company formed an Inside Sales Department in 2000. The Inside Sales Department was established to significantly grow sales to customers with annual purchases up to $50,000. Working in tandem with the company's outside sales force, the inside sales representatives support their customers with a targeted telesales effort. Customer response has been very positive, resulting in a sales increase in the targeted accounts in excess of 40%. To ensure that all consumers using Invacare products receive quality service and support that is consistent with the Invacare brand promise, the company established a Service Referral Network as part of its National Service Center Network in 2000. The goal of the Service Referral Network is to establish a geographically dispersed network of Service Centers that are capable of proving quality service for Invacare products regardless of where the products were purchased. In addition, the Network provides an additional profit-revenue center for participating providers. The company sells distributed products, primarily soft goods and disposable medical supplies, through the Invacare Supply Group (ISG), formerly known as Suburban Ostomy Supply Company, Inc. The acquisition of ISG in 1998 was an important addition to Invacare's "Total One Stop Shoppingsm" program, through which Invacare offers HME providers of all sizes the broadest range of products and services at the total lowest cost. Invacare Supply Group's products include ostomy, incontinence, wound care and diabetic supplies, as well as other soft goods and disposable products. These products are complementary to Invacare's products and are purchased by many of the same customers that buy Invacare's equipment products. Invacare Supply Group markets its products through the internet, an inside telesales and customer service department, in addition to Invacare's 100+ HME field sales force. Invacare Supply Group also markets a Home Delivery program to HME providers through which Invacare Supply Group drop-ships supplies in the provider's name to the customer's address. Providers have no products to stock, no minimum orders and delivery within 24-48 hours nationwide. In 2000, the company continued to focus on building the Invacare brand with a multi-faceted campaign through its Marketing Advantage Partnership (MAP) program, which is designed to increase the general public's awareness of home medical equipment products, while at the same time seeking to establish the Invacare brand name as the brand preferred by consumers. As part of this multi-faceted campaign, the company launched a Direct Response Television (DRTV) campaign which focuses on scooters and powers chairs, and is generating qualified consumer leads which are passed on to Invacare's dealer-provider customers. In developing its DRTV campaign, the company retained the nation's largest advertising agency in the U.S. specializing in direct response broadcast advertising. 7 Building on the company's leadership position in e-commerce in the HME industry, Invacare enhanced its business-to-business site, Invacare Pro. Through Invacare Pro, customers can access a wealth of product, pricing and inventory information in real time. Specifically, customers can place orders for product on-line in one simple step; obtain quick, accurate, over-the-Internet price quotes and product availability information; and provide consumers with accurate lead and delivery times. In addition to enhancements to Invacare Pro, the company launched a redesign of www.invacare.com. The company also announced an agreement with the internationally renowned Cleveland Clinic to host medical content provided by the Cleveland Clinic on the Invacare web site, and the site of Invacare Supply Group. In addition to accessing the content about various diseases and medical conditions, consumers visiting the Invacare sites will be able to access a list of products which are medically appropriate for a particular disease or condition. Consumers who are interested in purchasing the product will be launched to a participating Invacare providers' web site where they can facilitate the on-line transaction. In 2000, Invacare continued refining its strategic advertising campaign in home health care magazines and trade publications which complement the company's focused brand strategy. The "umbrella" HME campaign which was introduced in 1998, featuring the company's chairman and CEO, A. Malachi Mixon, III as its spokesperson, was continued. Mr. Mixon continues to be featured in the company's trade advertising. The company also contributed extensively to editorial coverage in trade publications on articles concerning products it manufactures. Company representatives attended numerous trade shows and conferences on a national and regional basis in which Invacare products were displayed to providers, health care professionals and consumers. Invacare continues to generate greater consumer awareness of Invacare and its products, as evidenced by enhancements made to its consumer marketing program in 2000 through sponsorship of a variety of wheelchair activities and support of various charitable causes which benefit the users of its products. Invacare continued for the seventh year as a National Corporate Sponsor of Easter Seals, one of the most recognizable charities in the United States that annually meets the needs of over 40 million children and adults who have various types of disabilities. The company further enhanced its sponsorship of over 75 individual wheelchair athletes and teams, including the top-ranked women's wheelchair racer in the world, and several of the top-ranked men's and women's wheelchair tennis players in the world. Invacare participated for the fifth year in a row as the title sponsor of the Invacare World Team Cup tennis tournament, which took place during the summer in Paris, France. In addition, 39 athletes using Invacare(R) Top End(R) wheelchairs to enhance their performance won a total of 74 medals at the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia, including 30 gold medals, 26 silver and 18 bronze. The company's top ten customers accounted for approximately 15% of 2000 net sales. The loss of business of one or more of these customers or buying groups may have a significant impact on the company, although no single customer accounted for more than 5% of the company's 2000 net sales. Providers, who are part of a buying group, generally make individual purchasing decisions and are invoiced directly by the company. Europe The company's European operations consist primarily of manufacturing, marketing and distribution operations in Western Europe and export sales activities through local distributors elsewhere in the world. The company has a sales force and distribution centers in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Austria and the Netherlands, and sells through distributors elsewhere in Europe. In markets where the company has its own sales force, product sales are typically made through dealers of medical equipment and, in certain markets, directly to government agencies. In most markets, government health care and reimbursement policies play an important role in determining the types of equipment sold and price levels for such products. PRODUCT LIABILITY COSTS The company's captive insurance company, Invatection Insurance Co., was formed in 1986. Currently, it has a policy year that runs from September 1 to August 31 and insures annual aggregate policy losses of $5 million of the company's domestic product liability exposure. In the prior two policy years, the limit of liability was $2 million per claim and $3 million in the aggregate. The company also has additional layers of coverage insuring $85 million in annual aggregate losses arising from individual claims that exceed the captive insurance company policy limits. There can be no assurance that Invacare's current insurance levels will continue to be adequate or available at an affordable rate. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING Invacare is committed to continuously improving, expanding and broadening its existing product lines. During the past three years, new product introductions included: major improvements in the power wheelchair line in terms of electronics, functionality and aesthetics; new models of power wheelchairs; new additions/enhancements to the electronic controllers for power wheelchairs; new models of aluminum frame ultralight wheelchairs; a comprehensive new line of innovative seating and positioning products; a complete line of home respiratory products, including nebulizer compressors, flowmeters, aspirators, oxygen analyzer, and respiratory disposables; and an improved line of ambulatory and safety products. 8 New product development remains a key component of Invacare's strategy to grow market share and maintain competitive advantage. To this end, Invacare's efforts in 2000 continued to focus resources on innovative manufacturing concepts while also investing significant resources in cost reduction and design improvement. Important new technologies were added, as well as many line extensions and refinements to existing categories. In 2000, over 30 new products were introduced with the most significant being: North America The Invacare(R) 2GTR Power Elevating Legrests feature low-profile design, yet powerful leg-elevating capacity up to 350 pounds; has durable interlocking, non-rotational design, and swing-away access. The Invacare(R) 9000 Jymni(TM) is a lightweight pediatric manual wheelchair with a low seat-to-floor height, dual position axle which allows seat-to-floor height adjustments, and an adjustable height back to assure proper back support for any activity. The Invacare(R) 9000 Topaz(TM) is a heavy-duty manual wheelchair with a multi-positional frame for bariatric users up to 700 pounds. The Topaz features variable seat widths and depths to help reduce the risk of skin and/or tissue breakdown. The Invacare(R) A-6S/F-6S are rigid custom manual wheelchairs for everyday use which feature rigid suspension, telescoping wheelbase, integrated head tubes, and an adjustable camber system. The A-6S (adjustable model) offers a seat angle adjustment feature; the F-6S (fixed seat model) offers a permanently fixed seat angle. The Invacare(R) BAR600 Bariatric Bed has a heavy-duty frame with extra bracing to provide maximum support for up to 600 pounds. It features a wider sleep surface which can be operated by using the hand pendant to change the position of the head and foot sections as well as the bed height. An emergency crank is provided as well. The Invacare(R) Envoy(TM) Jr. Aerosol Compressor is a high-quality, yet economical compressor for aerosol treatment deliver. The Envoy features a new aerodynamic shape and design, a reusable inlet filter, smaller footprint, and a convenient cord wrap built into the base. It is among the easiest of compressors to use. The Invacare(R) Infinity(TM) AirFlo(TM) Cushion provides high-end skin protection without sacrificing comfort, stability or support, and demonstrates exceptional performance among a wide range of client groups. The AirFlo cushion, available in standard and builder sizes, offers easy, one-handed operation of the insert inflation built, and a quick disconnection system. With a true mid-wheel drive system, the Invacare(R) Pronto(TM) M6 provides the ultimate in maneuverability, allowing the chair to turn within its own footprint. It also features a comfortable van seat with 18 seating and positioning adjustments. Three new Invacare(R) Rollators offer performance features to serve diverse needs. The Invacare(R) Sandstorm(TM) Rollator features a lightweight frame, removable form-padded backrest, handbrakes, a removable carrying basket, plastic tray, 5-inch rubber wheels, and one of the best warranties on the market. Weight capacity is 250 pounds. The Invacare(R) Frontier Lite Rollator, similar to the Sandstorm, also offers a push-down brake lock which is activated when the user is in the seated position. The Invacare(R) Stardust Rollator, similar to the Sandstorm and Frontier Lite, features a second bar that serves as a transport handle; a footrest to use as a curb climber, and a 300 pound weight capacity. The Invacare(R) Spyder(TM) is a compact, high-performance manual wheelchair that offers unprecedented versatility in a folding chair. The Spyder also offers several choices of front riggings, an optional suspension fork, and three choices of camber with the camber angle built into the axle plate. Three new Invacare(R) Top End(R) wheelchairs - the Top End(R) T-3(TM) Tennis Adjustable, the Top End(R) Eliminator OSR, and the Top End(R) Terminator(TM) SS 2000 - have been designed and redesigned for truly active wheelchair users. The Top End T-3 Tennis Adjustable chair has been redesigned and features a new rear- and front-seat height adjustment mechanism, new swivel anti-tip system, and a new footrest system. The Top End Eliminator OSR is a track and road-racing wheelchair with a custom aluminum frame, wrap-around fenders, oversized rake for maximum traction, and a relaxed head-tube angle for stability. The Top End Terminator SS 2000's redesign incorporates a quadra pivot rear suspension system with polymer shock absorption, custom chrome-moly frame, new front suspension casters and new rear suspension units. Australasia Invacare Australia has recently introduced a new mid-range power chair called the "Roller." It is an innovative 4 wheeler available with a number of feature options to meet customer needs. Also introduced during the year was a new scooter controller. 9 Europe During 2000, European operations also introduced several new products and continued to update existing products as required by the market. Key introductions and updates in 2000 included: The Invacare(R) SB400 Bed, which addresses the customer and regulatory needs primarily of the French market, is an example of the possible cross selling of products related to the acquisition of Scandinavian Mobility in 1999. The Danish manufacturing plant worked closely with the French marketing and sales team to design and manufacture a cost competitive bed with the necessary features to gain market share in 2000. The Invacare(R) Mistral is a new foldable, low cost power wheelchair with features that include tilt, tension adjustable and reclining back and improved suspension for this segment of the market. This chair is being sold or will be sold in most of the Southern Europe countries. The Invacare(R) Zipper II wheelchair, designed in Europe and manufactured in the Far East, is a new standard wheelchair that has improved quality, durability, a higher weight limit and more stability than previous models. This wheelchair is primarily marketed for the UK. The Invacare(R) Spectra Plus power wheelchair, designed and manufactured in Europe, is an improved entrant into the UK market with tilt in space (power and manual), a comfort type CAB seat option, and detachable motors. The Invacare(R) Variable, a steel folding standard wheelchair, is an example of the product rationalization that Invacare has undertaken and will continue after the acquisition of SMI. This chair has replaced and will continue to replace a number of chairs and thereby lower manufacturing costs by allowing for greater purchasing power and longer manufacturing runs. Meanwhile, the product rationalization has simplified and clarified the positioning of Invacare's product line for both its customers and salesforce. The Invacare(R) K4 Airlite Pro, designed and manufactured in Europe, is the world's lightest fixed frame wheelchair at less than 8 kg. MANUFACTURING AND SUPPLIERS The company's objective is to maintain its commitment to be the highest quality and lowest-cost manufacturer in its industry. The company believes that it is achieving this objective not only through improved product design, but also by taking a number of steps to lower manufacturing costs. In 2000, the company initiated plans to close and consolidate several distribution and manufacturing operations, the cost of which was included in a charge taken in the fourth quarter. These consolidations will continue into the first half of 2002. The company also makes substantial investments in its facilities and automation in order to increase productivity, and to improve quality and delivery. Over the past three years, the company has invested $99.6 million in capital improvements and acquisition of facilities. North America / Australasia The company has vertically integrated its manufacturing processes by fabricating, coating, plating and assembling many of the components of each product. The company designs and manufactures electronics for power wheelchairs, from insertion of components into printed circuit boards to final assembly and testing. Invacare has focused on "value engineering" which reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating product complexity and using common components. Value engineering has been applied to all product introductions in the last three years, including the latest generation of oxygen concentrators, electronic controls, wheelchairs, patient lifts, beds and bath safety products. Investments continue to be made in manufacturing automation. The company has initiated lean manufacturing programs to reduce manufacturing lead times, shorten production cycles, increase associate training, encourage employee involvement in decision-making and improve manufacturing quality. Associate involvement teams participate in engineering, production and processing strategies and associates have been given responsibility for their own quality assurance. The manufacturing operations for the company's wheelchairs and replacement parts, patient aids and home care beds consist of a variety of metal fabricating procedures, electronics production, coating, plating and assembly operations. Manufacturing operations for the company's oxygen concentrators, nebulizer compressors, and seating and positioning products consist primarily of assembly operations. The company purchases raw materials, fabricated components and services from a variety of suppliers. Where appropriate, Invacare does employ long term contracts with its suppliers, both domestically and from the far-east. In those situations in which long term contracts are not advantageous, the company believes its relationship with those suppliers to be satisfactory with alternative sources of supply readily available. 10 Europe As in other areas, manufacturing and operational issues faced in the U.S. are also present in Europe. The European operation has challenged and rationalized the mission of each manufacturing location allowing for the realization of significant synergies and identified areas for further cost reductions and improved efficiencies for 2001, including the possible elimination and consolidation of certain facilities. In 2000, we consolidated operations and removed four manufacturing facilities from the European operations. ACQUISITIONS During 1999, the company acquired Scandinavian Mobility International A/S (SMI), a producer and distributor of rehabilitation products, mobility aids and related products for approximately $142 million. As a result of the company's ongoing search for opportunities, coupled with the industry trend toward consolidation, other acquisition opportunities were evaluated in 2000. The company focuses on acquisitions intended to fulfill the following objectives: Tactical. Grow market share or extend current product lines. Strategic. Enter new market segments that complement existing businesses or utilize the company's distribution strengths. Geographic. Enable rapid entry into new foreign markets. GOVERNMENT REGULATION The company is directly affected by government regulation and reimbursement policies in virtually every country in which it operates. Government regulations and health care policy differ from country to country and, within the U.S., Australia and Canada, from state to state or province to province. Changes in regulations and health care policy take place frequently and can impact the size, growth potential and profitability of products sold in each market. In the U.S., the growth of health care costs has increased at rates in excess of the rate of inflation and as a percentage of GDP for several decades. A number of efforts to control the federal deficit have impacted reimbursement levels for government sponsored health care programs and changes in federal programs are often imitated by private insurance companies. Reimbursement guidelines in the home health care industry have a substantial impact on the nature and type of equipment an end user can obtain and thus affect the product mix, pricing and payment patterns of the company's customers who are the HME providers. In late 2000, Congress enacted legislation (the Benefits Improvement and Protection Act or BIPA) that provides several victories for the homecare and HME services industries. First, Congress provided a full restoration of the annual cost-of-living adjustment for DME for fiscal 2001. This will amount to a 3.27% increase in the Medicare fee schedules for most Invacare products. BIPA also provides a measure of security for home health agencies by questioning the need for a 15% reduction in fees paid for home health services. BIPA also called for a study of the way supplies and equipment are billed to Medicare when the patient is enrolled in a plan of care through a home health agency. Progress was made on getting HCFA to issue a Final Rule implementing the consumer choice or DME Upgrade provision contained in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. A proposed rule was published in April, open for public comment and then put in final form by HCFA staff. Invacare anticipates the publication of a Final Rule as soon as it can be reviewed by the incoming Bush Administration. This provision will make it easier for consumers to choose more functional products than the minimally medically necessary items currently paid for by Medicare. The company continues its aggressive, pro-active efforts to shape public policy that impacts home and community-based, non-acute health care. We are currently working on legislation that would extend Medicare coverage to products such as patient lifts, bath safety products and other items designed to protect the physical safety and well being of the unpaid family caregiver. Invacare believes these efforts give the company a competitive advantage in two ways. First is the frequently expressed appreciation of our customers for our efforts on behalf of the entire industry. The other is the ability to anticipate and plan for changes in public policy, unlike most other HME manufacturers who must react to change after it occurs. Congress and the new Administration have once again placed Medicare reform high on the priority list for change. Another item being discussed is prescription drug coverage. Both these areas will provide ample opportunities to reeducate policymakers on the fact that home care is a clinically appropriate, cost-effective and patient preferred alternative to facility based care. As the "graying of America" continues, homecare will play an increasingly important role in meeting the health care needs of our citizens. 11 The Safe Medical Devices Act of 1990 and Medical Device Amendments of 1976 to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act of 1938 (the "Acts") provide for regulation by the United States Food and Drug Administration (the "FDA") of the manufacture and sale of medical devices. Under the Acts, medical devices are classified as Class I, Class II or Class III devices. The company's principal products are designated as Class I or Class II devices. In general, Class I devices must comply with labeling and record keeping requirements and are subject to other general controls. In addition to general controls, certain Class II devices must comply with product design and manufacturing controls established by the FDA. Manufacturers of all medical devices are subject to periodic inspections by the FDA. Furthermore, state, local and foreign governments have adopted regulations relating to the manufacture and marketing of health care products. The company believes that it is presently in material compliance with applicable regulations promulgated by the FDA, for which the failure to comply would have a material adverse effect. BACKLOG The company generally manufactures most of its products to meet near term demands by shipping from stock or by building to order based on the specialty nature of certain products. Therefore, the company does not have substantial backlog of orders of any particular products nor does it believe that backlog is a significant factor for its business. EMPLOYEES As of December 31, 2000, the company had approximately 5,600 employees. (d)Financial Information about Foreign and Domestic Operations and Export Sales. The company also markets its products for export to other foreign countries. The company had product sales in over 80 countries worldwide. For information relating to net sales, operating income and identifiable assets of the company's foreign and domestic operations, see Business Segments in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Item 2. Properties. The company owns or leases its warehouses, offices and manufacturing facilities and believes these facilities to be well maintained, adequately insured and suitable for their present and intended uses. Information concerning certain of the leased facilities of the company as of December 31, 2000, is set forth in Leases and Commitments in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the company and in the table below: Ownership or Expiration Renewal North American Operations Square Feet Date of Lease Options Use - ------------------------- ----------- ------------- ------- --- Ashland, Virginia 36,000 September 2003 None Warehouse and offices Atlanta, Georgia 137,284 January 2002 One (3 yr.) Warehouse and offices Atlanta, Georgia 48,000 August 2006 None Distribution Belle, Missouri 39,200 Own - Manufacturing and offices Beltsville, Maryland 33,329 August 2001 None Manufacturing, offices, and distribution Chesterfield, Missouri 8,466 December 2002 None Offices Delta, British Columbia 6,900 January 2005 None Warehouse and offices Edison, New Jersey 93,220 March 2005 None Warehouse and offices Elyria, Ohio - Taylor Street 251,656 Own - Manufacturing and offices - Cleveland Street 226,998 September 2004 One (5 yr.) Manufacturing and offices 12 Ownership or Expiration Renewal North American Operations Square Feet Date of Lease Options Use - ------------------------- ----------- ------------- ------- --- Elyria, Ohio (continued) - One Invacare Way 50,000 Own - Headquarters - 1320 Taylor Street 30,000 January 2005 Two (5 yr.) Offices - 1160 Taylor Street 4,800 Own - Warehouse/Office/Storage Grand Prairie, Texas 87,508 December 2001 One (3 yr.) Warehouse and offices Holliston, Massachusetts 59,500 August 2006 None Warehouse and offices Kirkland, Quebec 13,241 November 2002 One (5 yr.) Manufacturing, warehouse and offices Mississauga, Ontario 81,004 January 2005 One (5 yr.) Manufacturing, warehouse and offices Mississauga, Ontario 10,881 July 2004 One (5 yr.) Warehouse and offices Northboro, Massachusetts 22,000 June 2001 None Warehouse North Ridgeville, Ohio 152,861 Own - Manufacturing, warehouses and offices Obetz, Ohio 130,377 April 2004 One (5 yr.) Warehouse Pinellas Park, Florida 12,000 July 2001 One (1 yr.) Manufacturing and offices Rancho Cucamonga, California 35,900 June 2005 One (60 day) Warehouse Reynosa, Mexico 135,200 Own - Manufacturing and offices Sacramento, California 26,900 May 2003 None Manufacturing, warehouse and offices Sanford, Florida 113,034 Own - Manufacturing and offices Sanford, Florida 99,892 Own - Manufacturing and offices Santa Fe Springs, California 151,217 April 2004 One (5yr.) Warehouse and offices Sarasota, Florida 15,450 February 2002 None Manufacturing, warehouse and offices South Bend, Indiana 30,000 July 2003 None Warehouse Spicewood, Texas 6,500 September 2002 One (3 yr.) Manufacturing and offices Traverse City, Michigan 15,850 April 2003 One (3 yr.) Manufacturing and offices Wright City, Missouri 17,350 July 2001 None Warehouse 13 Ownership or Expiration Renewal Australasia Operations Square Feet Date of Lease Options Use - ---------------------- ----------- ------------- ------- --- Adelaide, Australia 11,500 June 2001 One (1 yr.) Manufacturing, warehouse and offices Auckland, New Zealand 27,000 September 2008 Two (3yr.) Manufacturing, warehouse and offices Birmingham, United Kingdom 6,000 December 2003 None Warehouse and offices Christchurch, New Zealand 57,682 December 2005 Three (3 yr.) Manufacturing and offices Melbourne, Australia - Capella Crescent 7,212 Month to Month None Manufacturing - Wickham Road 3,229 February 2001 None Manufacturing - 6-8 Commercial Road 7,320 May 2001 Month to month Manufacturing and offices - 10 Commerical Road 4,435 June 2001 Month to month Manufacturing Napier, New Zealand 15,490 March 2002 One (2 yr.) Warehouse and offices North Olmsted, Ohio 2,280 October 2003 One (5 yr.) Warehouse and offices Sydney, Australia 2,550 February 2001 None Warehouse and offices European Operations - ------------------- Bad Oeynhausen, Germany 76,600 June 2002 One (1 yr.) Manufacturing, warehouse and offices Basel/Allschwil, Switzerland 36,000 Own - Manufacturing and offices Bergen, Norway 1,000 May 2004 One (5yr.) Warehouse and offices Birmingham, England 19,378 Own - Manufacturing and offices Bridgend, Wales 131,522 Own - Manufacturing and offices Brondby, Denmark 4,132 Month to Month None Head Office Brondby, Denmark 24,083 Month to Month None Manufacturing, warehouse and offices Corby, United Kingdom 19,460 April 2001 None Manufacturing and offices Ede, The Netherlands 13,500 May 2009 One (5 yr.) Warehouse and offices Girona, Spain 13,600 November 2004 One (1 yr.) Warehouse and offices Goteborg, Sweden 6,470 September 2002 None Warehouse and offices 14 Ownership or Expiration Renewal European Operations Square Feet Date of Lease Options Use - ------------------- ----------- ------------- ------- --- Hannover, Germany 15,050 August 2005 One (5 yr.) Warehouse and offices Hong, Denmark 149,375 Own - Manufacturing, warehouse and offices LaRochelle, France 101,718 July 2002 None Manufacturing and warehouse Loppem, Belgium 6,000 Month to Month None Warehouse and offices Landskrona, Sweden 2,880 April 2001 None Warehouse Oisterwijk, The Netherlands 27,000 Own - Manufacturing, warehouse and offices Oisterwijk, The Netherlands 4,800 October 2004 One (5 yr.) Warehouse and offices Oporto, Portugal 27,800 November 2003 None Manufacturing, warehouse and offices Oskarshamn, Sweden 6,300 December 2001 None Warehouse Oslo, Norway 30,650 September 2001 One (5 yr.) Manufacturing, warehouse and offices Sandviken, Sweden 48,000 December 2001 None Manufacturing, warehouse and offices Saeby, Denmark 31,108 Own - Warehouse Spanga, Sweden 8,300 October 2001 One (3 yr.) Warehouse and offices Spanga, Sweden 16,250 Own - Warehouse and offices Tours, France 86,000 November 2007 None Manufacturing Tours, France 104,500 Own - Manufacturing, warehouse and offices Trondheim, Norway 3,000 December 2001 One (5 yr.) Services and offices Vaxjovagen, Sweden 92,400 Own - Manufacturing and offices Item 3. Legal Proceedings. Invacare is a defendant in a number of product liability actions in which various plaintiffs seek damages for injuries allegedly caused by defective products. All of these actions have been referred to the company's insurance carriers and are being vigorously contested. The primary carrier, Invatection Insurance Co., is a subsidiary of the company, established in September 1986, and provides the first layer of product liability insurance for the company. Coverage territory is worldwide with the exception of those countries that, at the time product is sold for use or at the time a claim is made, the U.S. Government has suspended or prohibited diplomatic or trade relations. Management does not believe that the outcome of any of these actions will have a material adverse effect upon its business or financial condition. 15 Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. Not applicable. Executive Officers of the Registrant.* The following table sets forth the names of the executive officers and certain other key employees of Invacare, each of whom serves at the pleasure of the Board of Directors, as well as certain other information. Name Age Position - --------------------- --- -------------------------------------------------------------- A. Malachi Mixon, III 60 Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer Gerald B. Blouch 54 President, Chief Operating Officer and Director Thomas R. Miklich 53 Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Interim V.P. Human Resources Joseph B. Richey, II 64 President - Invacare Technologies and Senior Vice President - Electronics and Design Engineering Louis F.J. Slangen 53 Senior Vice President - Sales & Marketing M. Louis Tabickman 56 President - Invacare Europe Neal J. Curran 43 Vice President - Engineering and Product Development David A. Johnson 38 Vice President - Operations and Logistics Michael A. Perry 46 Vice President -- Invacare Supply Group - Distributed Products Ken Sparrow 53 Managing Director -- Asia Pacific Australasia CORPORATE OFFICERS A. Malachi Mixon, III has been Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the company since December 1979 and Chairman of the Board since September 1983. Mr. Mixon had been President of the company from December 1979 until November 1996. Gerald B. Blouch was named President and a Director of the company in November 1996. Mr. Blouch has been Chief Operating Officer since December 1994 and Chairman - Invacare International since December 1993. Previously, Mr. Blouch was President - Home Care Division from March 1994 to December 1994 and Senior Vice President - Home Care Division from September 1992 to March 1994. Mr. Blouch served as Chief Financial Officer from May 1990 to May 1993 and Treasurer from March 1991 to May 1993. Thomas R. Miklich has been Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel since May 1993 and in September 1993 was named Corporate Secretary. In March 2000, he was given the additional responsibility of Interim Vice President - Human Resources. Mr. Miklich is a director of the OM Group, a NYSE listed company. Previously, Mr. Miklich was Treasurer from May 1993 until October 1999, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Van Dorn Company from 1991 to 1993 and Chief Financial Officer of The Sherwin-Williams Company from 1986 to 1991. Joseph B. Richey, II has been a Director since 1980 and in September 1992 was named President - Invacare Technologies and Senior Vice President - Electronics and Design Engineering. Previously, Mr. Richey was Senior Vice President of Product Development from July 1984 to September 1992 and Senior Vice President and General Manager of North American Operations from September 1989 to September 1992. 16 Louis F. J. Slangen was named Senior Vice President - Sales & Marketing in December 1994 and from September 1989 to December 1994 was Vice President - Sales and Marketing. Mr. Slangen was previously President - Rehab Division from March 1994 to December 1994 and Vice President and General Manager - Rehab Division from September 1992 to March 1994. OPERATING OFFICERS M. Louis Tabickman was named President, Invacare Europe in July 1998. Prior to this, Mr. Tabickman held the positions of Senior Vice President - Respiratory Products from October 1997 to July 1998 and, from August 1995 to October 1997, was Group Vice President Rehab Products. Previously, Mr. Tabickman was Vice President & General Manager - Power Business Unit from December 1994 to August 1995, President, Invacare Canada from March 1994 to December 1994 and Vice President and General Manager - Invacare Canada from September 1992 to March 1994. Mr. Tabickman was also Vice President and General Manager of Service and Distribution from July 1985 until September 1992. Mr. Tabickman has been an officer since July 1985. Neal J. Curran was named Vice President of Engineering and Product Development in August 2000. Mr. Curran has been with the company since 1983 and has previously held positions as Vice President - Rehab Group July 1999, Vice President - Respiratory Group July 1998 , Vice President - Seating and Custom Mobility Products October 1997 and General Manager of the Custom Manual Business Unit December 1994. Prior to 1994, Mr. Curran held the positions of Power Business Unit leader September 1992 and Vice President of Rehab engineering January 1991. Mr. Curran has a Bachelors of Mechanical Engineering. David A.Johnson was named Vice President of Operations and Logistics in November 2000. Previous positions include Vice President - Rehab Group and Personal Care Products from August 2000 until November 2000, and Vice President - Invacare Continuing Care Group and Home Medical Equipment Group from November 1998 until August 2000. Previously, Mr. Johnson had been Director Business / Systems Integration for Herman Miller, Inc. from 1997 to November 1998. Mr. Johnson was also General Manager of The Chattanooga Group, Inc.from 1994 to 1997. From 1990 to 1994, Mr. Johnson held various operations positions for the Stryker Corporation-Medical Group. Michael A. Perry was named Vice President of Distributed Products in July of 1998. Previously, Mr. Perry was General Manager of Account Services, Vice President of National Accounts,Vice President of Retail Sales and Vice President of Clinical Application Consumer Marketing since 1995. In 1994, Mr. Perry served as Area Vice President of Sales. Kenneth A. Sparrow was named Managing Director of Australasia in January 1998. Previously, Mr. Sparrow has been the General Manager of Operations for the Lyttelton Port Company from December 1995 to January 1998. Prior to this, Mr. Sparrow was a Divisional General Manager for Skellerup Industries from July 1992 to November 1995. * The description of executive officers is included pursuant to Instruction 3 to Section (b) of Item 401 of Regulation S-K. 17 PART II Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters. Invacare's Common Shares, without par value, began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol IVC on June 25, 1999. Prior to listing the Common Shares on the NYSE, the Common Shares were included for trading and quotation on the NASDAQ National Market System under the symbol IVCR. Ownership of the company's Class B Common Shares (which are not listed on NYSE) cannot be transferred, except, in general, to family members. Class B Common Shares may be converted into Common Shares at any time on a share-for-share basis. The approximate number of record holders of the company's Common Shares and Class B Common Shares at February 28, 2001 was 5,851 and 31, respectively. The closing sale price for the Common Shares on February 25, 2001 as reported by NYSE, was $36.34. The prices set forth below do not include retail markups, markdowns or commissions. The range of high and low quarterly prices of the Common Shares in each of the two most recent fiscal years are as follows: 2000 1999 ---- ---- Quarter Ended: High Low High Low December 31 $34.38 $24.19 $22.69 $17.75 September 30 32.19 22.75 26.69 18.25 June 30 27.13 24.69 26.75 22.56 March 31 28.00 18.63 25.25 21.69 During 2000, the Board of Directors of Invacare Corporation declared dividends of $.05 per Common Share and $.045 per Class B Common Share. For information regarding limitations on the payment of dividends in the company's loan and note agreements, see Long Term Obligations in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The Common Shares are entitled to receive cash dividends at a rate of at least 110% of cash dividends paid on the Class B Common Shares. 18 Item 6. Selected Financial Data For the Year Ended December 31, 2000 1999* 1998 1997** 1996 1995 ---- ----- ---- ------ ---- ---- (In thousands except per share and ratio data) Earnings Net Sales $1,013,162 $882,774 $801,189 $654,409 $620,438 $504,756 Net Earnings 59,911 41,494 45,792 1,563 38,918 32,165 Net Earnings per Share - Basic 1.99 1.38 1.53 .05 1.33 1.10 Net Earnings per Share - Assuming Dilution 1.95 1.36 1.50 .05 1.28 1.07 Dividends per Common Share .05000 .05000 .05000 .05000 .05000 .03750 Dividends per Class B Common Share .04545 .04545 .04545 .04545 .04545 .03409 As of December 31, 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Balance Sheet Current Assets $432,408 $418,620 $336,742 $275,211 $258,720 $204,685 Total Assets 951,855 955,285 738,756 529,923 509,628 408,750 Current Liabilities 203,436 177,471 133,964 109,553 97,768 84,936 Working Capital 228,972 241,149 202,778 165,658 160,952 119,749 Long-Term Obligations 398,646 458,942 323,904 183,955 173,263 122,456 Shareholders' Equity 349,773 318,872 280,888 236,415 238,597 201,319 Other Data Research and Development Expenditures $ 16,231 $ 15,534 $ 12,980 $ 12,706 $ 11,060 $9,002 Capital Expenditures, net of Disposals 26,268 32,155 39,505 37,962 22,465 11,027 Depreciation and Amortization 31,469 25,978 23,754 18,348 17,896 14,159 Key Ratios Return on Sales 5.9% 4.7% 5.7% .2% 6.3% 6.4% Return on Average Assets 6.3% 4.9% 7.2% .3% 8.5% 8.6% Return on Beginning 18.8% 14.8% 19.4% .7% 19.3% 19.6% Shareholders' Equity Current Ratio 2.1:1 2.4:1 2.5:1 2.5:1 2.6:1 2.4:1 Debt-to-Equity Ratio 1.1:1 1.4:1 1.2:1 .8:1 .7:1 .6:1 * Reflects non-recurring and unusual charge of $14,800 ($9,028 or $.29 per share assuming dilution after tax) taken in 1999. ** Reflects non-recurring and unusual charge of $61,039 ($38,839 or $1.28 per share assuming dilution after tax) taken in 1997. 19 Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 2000 Versus 1999 Non-recurring and Unusual Items. The review of results that follows excludes the impact of the non-recurring and unusual items recorded in 2000 and 1999. The reasons for the charges and credits and the impact on the company's current and future performance, as well as the utilization thereof, are explained under the heading "Non-recurring and Unusual Items" later in this section and in the Notes to the Financial Statements. Net Sales. Consolidated net sales for 2000 increased 15% for the year despite a 3% negative impact from foreign currency translation. Acquisitions contributed 9% of the increase. Net sales increased in two of the three business segments while Europe sales were flat. The overall increase was principally due to an increase in unit volume. The Standard and Distributed operations posted the largest dollar increases primarily as a result of increased unit volumes. The company believes that its sales grew faster than the overall industry, resulting in market share gains. This was due in part to additional marketing programs and its cost-effective "Total One Stop Shoppingsm" distribution system that is supported by the company's broad range of products and services. North American Operations North American sales, consisting of Rehab (power wheelchairs, custom manual wheelchairs, seating, scooters), Standard (manual wheelchairs, personal care, retail), Beds and Continuing Care (beds, low air loss therapy, furniture, patient transport equipment), Respiratory (oxygen concentrators, liquid oxygen, aerosol therapy and associated respiratory) and Distributed (ostomy, incontinence, wound care, other medical supplies) products net of acquisitions and divestitures grew 11% over the prior year. The gain was due primarily to Standard products up 14% as manual wheelchairs and personal care products had strong sales increases. Distributed product sales increased 17% from the prior year. Sales for the Rehab product line also increased 7% over the prior year and sales of Bed products increased 13%. Respiratory sales were up approximately 4% offset by a similar decline in Continuing Care products. Other products, consisting primarily of the company's Canadian and aftermarket parts businesses, had a 11% sales increase for the year. Sales for the company's Canadian operation increased 9%. The increase was a result of volume increases. Australasia Operations The Australasia products group consists of Invacare Australia, which imports and distributes the Invacare range of products and manufactures and distributes the Rollerchair range of custom power wheelchairs, Dynamic Controls, a New Zealand manufacturer of operating components used in power wheelchairs and Invacare New Zealand, a distribution business. Sales for the Australasia group increased $12,291,000 or 48% from the prior year, excluding a negative impact from foreign currency translation of 21% and a 4% impact from acquisitions. The increase was due to an increase in market share in the Australasian market. European Operations On a pro-forma basis, European sales were flat for the year excluding a 13% negative impact from foreign currency translation. European sales were less than expected due to the weak Euro and the company's focus on the integration of Scandinavian Mobility Internationl AS (SMI). Invacare expects to see a return of sales growth in Europe in 2001 as the synergies and integration efforts related to the acquisition of SMI are realized. Gross Profit. Consolidated gross profit as a percentage of net sales were 31% in 2000 and 1999. This was a result of the company's continued focus on redesigning products in order to lower manufacturing costs while improving quality and reliability and other cost reductions made to remain competitive and improve profitability. North American gross profit from operations as a percentage of net sales remained constant with the prior year as a result of a shift in product mix to lower margin products. Gross profit in Australasia increased as a percentage of sales to 30% from 28% in the prior year. The $2,965,000 increase includes the continued effects of a strong U.S. dollar which negatively impacted margins. Excluding the negative impact of foreign currency translation and a slight impact from acquisitions, gross profit increased $5,905,000 from the prior year. 20 Gross profit in Europe as a percent to sales increased over one percentage point from the prior year. The increase in European profitability is primarily a result of productivity improvements and cost containment programs introduced by new European management put in place during the third quarter of 1998. The management team has simplified and improved accountability while reducing costs to be more in line with its sales levels. In addition, greater emphasis is being placed on leveraging U.S. research and development efforts to accelerate new product development in a cost-effective manner. Inventory turns improved slightly for 2000, inventory control initiatives instituted throughout the company's existing business were implemented at the SMI locations. Selling, General and Administrative. Consolidated selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales were approximately 20% in 2000 and 1999. The overall dollar increase was $24,733,000 or 14%, with acquisitions increasing selling, general and administrative costs by approximately $21,267,000 or 12%. High distribution costs in 2000 throughout the company resulted in the same expense as a percentage of net sales as last year. The company believes, it can favorably impact selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales in 2001 when cost reductions initiated in 2000 take full effect. North American operations' selling, general and administrative costs increased as a percentage of net sales remained flat compared to 1999. Selling, general and administrative costs increased $15,693,000 or 13% with acquisitions accounting for $776,000 or 1% of the increase from the prior year. The company utilized activity-based budgeting aimed at allocating the expense dollars to the programs that most effectively supported the company's business strategy. Australasia operations' selling, general and administrative expenses increased approximately 34% from the prior year. The increase is primarily a result of the increased growth in business in Australasia. The overall dollar increase between years was $2,224,000. The strong dollar reduced selling, general and administrative expense for Australasia operations by $1,479,000. European operations' selling, general and administrative expenses increased $6,816,000 or 15% from the prior year. The increase was primarily a result of the acquisition of SMI which increased selling, general and administrative costs by $20,208,000 or 44%. European selling, general and administrative expenses were positively impacted by continued cost containment initiatives implemented throughout 1999 and the strong dollar, which reduced selling, general and administrative expenses reported in dollars by $5,077,000. Interest. Interest income decreased in 2000 to $7,807,000 from $7,929,000 in the prior year, representing a 2% decrease. The decrease was due to a 32% decrease in new notes booked throughout 2000. Interest expense increased to $27,853,000 from $22,093,000 representing a 26% increase resulting from additional borrowings in the first half of the year related to the Scandinavian Mobility acquisition, and also to an increasing interest rate environment. However, as a result of debt paydown efforts in the third and fourth quarters, the company's debt-to-equity ratio decreased to 1.1:1 from 1.4:1 in the prior year. Income Taxes. The company had an effective tax rate of 39% in both 2000 and 1999, including the effects of the unusual and non-recurring items recorded in both years. See Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion. Research and Development. The company continues to increase its research and development activities to maintain its competitive advantage. While the competitive environment requires that research and development expenditures be focused on the cost reduction of products while increasing functionality and reliability, the company continues to dedicate dollars to applied research activities to ensure that new and enhanced design concepts are available to its businesses. Research and development expenditures increased to $16,231,000 from $15,534,000 in 1999. The expenditures, as a percentage of sales, decreased to 1.6% from 1.8% in the prior year. 1999 Versus 1998 Non-recurring and Unusual Items. The review of results that follows excludes the impact of the non-recurring and unusual charges ("the charge") taken in 1999. The reasons for the charges and the impact on the company's current and future performance, as well as the utilization thereof, are explained under the heading "Non-recurring and Unusual Items" later in this section and in the Notes to the Financial Statements. Net Sales. Consolidated net sales for 1999 increased 10% for the year despite a 1% negative impact from foreign currency translation. Acquisitions contributed 7% of the increase. Net sales increased in each of the three business segments with Europe and Australasia reporting significant improvement. The increase was principally due to an overall increase in unit volume, with the exception of Rehab products, partially offset by the effects of a continuing competitive pricing environment throughout most product lines. European and Respiratory operations posted the largest dollar increases primarily as a result of increased unit volumes. The company believes that its sales grew faster than the overall industry, resulting in market share gains. This was due in part to its cost-effective "Total One Stop Shoppingsm" distribution system that is supported by the company's broad range of products and services. 21 North American Operations North American sales, consisting of Rehab (power wheelchairs, custom manual wheelchairs, seating, scooters), Standard (manual wheelchairs, personal care, retail), Beds and Continuing Care (beds, low air loss therapy, furniture, patient transport equipment), Respiratory (oxygen concentrators, liquid oxygen, aerosol therapy and associated respiratory) and Distributed (ostomy, incontinence, wound care, other medical supplies) products net of acquisitions and divestitures grew 4% over the prior year. The gain was due primarily to Respiratory products up 13% as concentrators, sleep therapy and aerosol products had strong sales increases. Sales of custom manual wheelchairs also increased 9% from the prior year due in part to continued new product introductions and the success of the company's "Team Action" athletes, as many of the high-tech design features in high-performance sport wheelchairs are incorporated in the everyday Action chairs. Sales for the Personal Care product line also increased 8% over the prior year. Sales for the Distributed products group increased 9% net of divestitures as Invacare Supply Group (ISG), formerly Suburban Ostomy Supply Company, Inc., a national direct marketing wholesaler of medical supplies and related products to the home care industry acquired in January 1998, continued to capitalize on Invacare's strong sales force. Rehab products sales were weak in 1999 due to the tightening by The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) of the requirements for Medicare beneficiaries to qualify for reimbursement for a power wheelchair. In late 1999, Invacare received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (F.D.A.) on the Invacare(R) Venture(TM) HomeFill(TM) Complete Home Oxygen System, which was developed in response to Medicare oxygen reimbursement cuts. The HomeFill system is a revolutionary oxygen-filling system that allows a patient to fill his or her own high pressure oxygen cylinders, thus eliminating time-consuming and costly service calls by the oxygen providers, while at the same time improving the patient's quality of life. We expect that the receipt of this approval will help augment North American sales growth in 2000. Other products, consisting primarily of the company's Canadian and aftermarket parts businesses, had a 9% sales increase for the year. Sales for the company's Canadian operation increased 12%, including a slight negative impact from foreign currency translation. The increase was a result of volume increases as prices remained relatively constant for the year. Australasia Operations The Australasia products group consists of Invacare Australia, which imports and distributes the Invacare range of products and manufactures and distributes the Rollerchair range of custom power wheelchairs, Dynamic Controls, a New Zealand manufacturer of operating components used in power wheelchairs and Invacare New Zealand, a distribution business. Sales for the Australasia group increased $5,933,000 or 30% from the prior year, excluding a slight negative impact from foreign currency translation. The increase was due to new product introductions by Dynamic Controls as well as increased focus on the Australasian market. European Operations European sales increased 11%, excluding a net favorable impact of 34% from acquisition and foreign currency translation. Sales growth improved in 1999 despite continuing governmental budget trends which resulted in pressure on reimbursement levels. The company acquired Scandinavian Mobility International A/S (SMI), a producer and distributor of rehabilitation products, mobility aids and related products, in the third quarter of 1999 for approximately $142 million in cash. Taking into account the SMI acquisition, on a pro-forma basis, European sales advanced 11%, excluding a 2% negative impact from foreign currency. The acquisition gives Invacare's European operation strategic distribution capabilities in the Nordic countries as well as an expanded product offering. Gross Profit. Consolidated gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to 31% from 30% last year. The increase was a result of a company-wide initiative focusing on redesigning products in order to lower manufacturing costs while improving quality and reliability and implementing other spending reductions necessary to remain competitive and improve profitability. The increase in gross profit as a percentage of net sales was offset, to some extent, by a shift in product mix and continued pricing pressure in the industry. North American gross profit from operations as a percentage of net sales remained constant with the prior year as productivity improvements and facilities rationalization were somewhat offset by price declines and a shift in product mix as sales of Respiratory products increased while sales of higher margin Rehab products decreased. Gross profit in Australasia increased as a percentage of sales to 28% from 25% in the prior year. The $2,001,000 increase includes the continued effects of a strong U.S. dollar which negatively impacted margins. Excluding the negative impact of foreign currency translation, gross profit increased $2,189,000 from the prior year. 22 Gross profit in Europe as a percent to sales increased three percentage points from the prior year. Excluding the impact from the acquisition of SMI, gross profit from operations as a percentage of net sales increased to 28% from 26% in the prior year despite the continued negative effects of a strong U.S. dollar. The increase in European profitability is primarily a result of productivity improvements and cost containment programs introduced by new European management put in place during the third quarter of 1998. The management team has simplified and improved accountability while reducing costs to be more in line with its sales levels. In addition, greater emphasis is being placed on leveraging U.S. research and development efforts to accelerate new product development in a cost-effective manner. Inventory turns decreased slightly for 1999, principally due to the effect of businesses acquired, particularly SMI, which had inventory turns lower than the combined overall average of the company's existing business. The company expects turns will show improvement in 2000 as inventory control initiatives instituted throughout the company's existing business are implemented at the SMI locations. Selling, General and Administrative. Consolidated selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales increased to 20% in 1999 compared to 19% in 1998. The overall dollar increase was $22,420,000 or 15%, with acquisitions increasing selling, general and administrative costs by approximately $14,002,000 or 9%. Higher distribution, selling and administrative expenses in 1999 throughout the company and sluggish domestic sales growth resulted in an increase in the overall expense as a percentage of net sales. The company believes, with its proven ability to focus on improving productivity and with the successful execution of the SMI acquisition integration plan, it can favorably impact selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales in 2000. North American operations' selling, general and administrative costs increased as a percentage of net sales by approximately 1% from the prior year. The overall dollar increase was $10,456,000 or 9% with acquisitions accounting for $1,572,000 or 1% of the increase from the prior year. The company utilized activity-based budgeting aimed at allocating the expense dollars to the programs that most effectively supported the company's business strategy. The company also invested in additional sales and marketing programs to enhance North American sales growth. Australasia operations' selling, general and administrative expenses decreased approximately 16% from the prior year. The decrease is primarily a result of cost control initiatives, which began in 1998 and continued throughout 1999. The overall dollar decrease between years was $1,242,000. The strong dollar also had a favorable effect on the reported line of selling, general and administrative expense for Australasia operations. European operations' selling, general and administrative expenses increased $13,206,000 or 40% from the prior year. The increase was primarily a result of the acquisition of SMI which increased selling, general and administrative costs by $12,430,000 or 37%. European selling, general and administrative expenses were positively impacted by continued cost containment initiatives implemented throughout 1999 and the strong dollar, which reduced selling, general and administrative expenses reported in dollars by $789,000. Interest. Interest income decreased in 1999 to $7,929,000 from $9,031,000 in the prior year, representing a 12% decrease. The decrease was due to a slightly lower yield on new notes booked throughout 1999 combined with a slight decrease in the average term of the new notes from 12.8 months in 1998 to 10.6 months in 1999. Interest expense increased to $22,093,000 from $20,616,000 representing a 7% increase resulting from additional borrowings incurred to fund the 1999 acquisition of Scandinavian Mobility, Inc. As a result of the increased borrowing, the company's debt-to-equity ratio increased to 1.4:1 from 1.2:1in the prior year. Income Taxes.The company had an effective tax rate of 39% in both 1999 and 1998, including the effects of the unusual and non-recurring charge taken in the current year. See Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion. Research and Development. The company continues to increase its research and development activities to maintain its competitive advantage. While the competitive environment requires that research and development expenditures be focused on the cost reduction of products while increasing functionality and reliability, the company continues to dedicate dollars to applied research activities to ensure that new and enhanced design concepts are available to its businesses. Research and development expenditures increased to $15,534,000 from $12,980,000 in 1998. The expenditures, as a percentage of sales, increased to 1.8% from 1.6% in the prior year. INFLATION Although the company cannot determine the precise effects of inflation, management believes that inflation does continue to have an influence on the cost of materials, salaries and benefits, utilities and outside services. The company attempts to minimize or offset the effects through increased sales volume, capital expenditure programs designed to improve productivity, alternative sourcing of material and other cost control measures. In 2000 and 1999, the company was able to offset the majority of the impact of price increases from suppliers by productivity improvements and other cost reduction activities. 23 LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES The company continues to maintain an adequate liquidity position through its unused bank lines of credit (see Long-Term Obligations in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements) and working capital management. The company maintains various bank lines of credit to finance its world-wide operations. In 1997, the company completed a $425,000,000 multi-currency, long-term revolving credit agreement, which expires on October 31, 2002, or such later date as mutually agreed upon by the company and the banks. Additionally, the company maintains various other demand lines of credit totaling a U.S. dollar equivalent of approximately $24,469,000 as of December 31, 2000. The lines of credit have been and will continue to be used to fund the company's domestic and foreign working capital, capital expenditures and acquisition requirements. As of December 31, 2000, the company had approximately $176,958,000 available under its various lines of credit. In 1998, the company completed a private placement of $100,000,000 in senior notes having a blended fixed coupon rate of 6.69% with $20,000,000 maturing in the year 2005 and $80,000,000 maturing in 2008. The proceeds were used to pay-down revolving credit debt incurred to fund the acquisition of Invacare Supply Group (ISG), formerly Suburban Ostomy Supply Company, Inc., which was consummated on January 28, 1998. The company's borrowing arrangements contain covenants with respect to net worth, dividend payments, working capital, funded debt to capitalization and interest coverage, as defined in the company's bank agreements and agreement with its note holders. The company is in compliance with all covenant requirements. Under the most restrictive covenant of the company's borrowing arrangements, the company has the capacity to borrow up to an additional $265,262,000 as of December 31, 2000. While there is general concern about the potential for rising interest rates, exposure to interest fluctuations is manageable as a portion of the debt is at fixed rates through 2001. The fixed interest debt coupled with free cash flow ensures Invacare's ability to absorb the expected modest rate increases in the months ahead. However, there will be a need to refinance a portion of debt sometime during the next two years as the existing revolving credit agreement matures in 2002. CAPITAL EXPENDITURES There are no individually material capital expenditure commitments outstanding as of December 31, 2000. The company estimates that capital investments for 2001 will approximate $31,000,000. The company believes that its balances of cash and cash equivalents, together with funds generated from operations and existing borrowing facilities will be sufficient to meet its operating cash requirements and fund required capital expenditures for the foreseeable future. CASH FLOWS Cash flows provided by operating activities were $78,426,000, compared to $72,840,000 last year. The increase is primarily the result of an increase in income and accounts payable offset by the increase in trade receivables. Cash flows required for investing activities decreased $170,404,000. The decrease is primarily due to Scandinavian Mobility International AS being acquired in the third quarter of 1999 and no sizeable acquisition occurring in 2000. The remainder if the decrease is principally due to a decrease in the level of installment contracts written as the company continues to focus on improving collection levels. Cash flows required by financing activities in 2000 were $49,480,000, compared to cash provided of $134,162,000 in 1999. The increase in cash required by financing activities was principally a result of the company's focus on paying down debt. In addition to acquisition activities, the effect of foreign currency translation results in amounts being shown for cash flows in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows that are different from the changes reflected in the respective balance sheet captions. DIVIDEND POLICY It is the company's policy to pay a nominal dividend in order for its stock to be more attractive to a broader range of investors. The current annual dividend rate remains at $.05 per Common Share and $.045 per Class B Common Share. It is not anticipated that this will change materially as the company continues to have available significant growth opportunities through internal development and acquisitions. For 2000, a dividend of $.05 per Common Share and $.045 per Class B Common Share was declared and paid. 24 EURO CONVERSION On January 1, 1999, 11 of the 15 member countries of the European Union (the "participating countries") established a fixed rate between their existing sovereign currencies (the "legacy currencies") and the Euro. The legacy currencies are scheduled to remain legal tender in the participating countries between January 1, 1999 and July 1, 2002. Beginning January 1, 2002, the Euro currency will be introduced and the legacy currencies withdrawn from circulation six months later. The company believes with modifications to existing computer software and conversion to new software, the Euro conversion issue will not pose significant operational problems to its normal business activities. The company does not expect costs associated with the Euro conversion project to have a material effect on the company's results of operations or financial position. NON-RECURRING AND UNUSUAL ITEMS In 2000, as a result of repaying EURO and DKK denominated debt, the company realized a non-recurring pre-tax foreign currency gain of approximately $20,130,000. The gain was offset by charges in the fourth quarter aggregating $8,700,000 related primarily to closing two distribution centers and a manufacturing plant ($3,700,000), severance costs due to staff reductions (nine individuals) primarily at the corporate office ($1,000,000) and costs associated with the settlement of litigation ($4,000,000). During 2000, $1,064,000 was utilized primarily for severance payments. In addition, during the fourth quarter, the company also increased its bad debt reserve impacting selling, general and administrative expenses by approximately $8,000,000. In 1999, the company announced non-recurring and unusual charges of $11,500,000 in the fourth quarter primarily related to the consolidation and integration of the operations of SMI and Invacare. The charges included reserves for employee severance ($3,000,000) and plant shutdowns and lease terminations ($4,400,000) and asset write-downs and other non-recurring items ($4,100,000). The personnel reductions and shut down of facilities are related to the integration of SMI and are required to obtain the expected synergies from the acquisition. Of these charges $2,400,000 have been utilized related employee severance, $2,000,000 have been utilized related to plant shutdown and lease termination, and $4,100,000 have been utilized related to asset write-downs and other non-recurring items. In addition, during the fourth quarter of 1999, the company also increased its bad debt reserve impacting selling, general and administrative expenses by approximately $3,300,000. The company anticipates all initiatives for which charges have been reported will be substantially completed in 2001. Item 7a. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk The company is exposed to market risk through various financial instruments, including fixed rate and floating rate debt instruments. The Company uses interest swap agreements to mitigate its exposure to interest rate fluctuations. Based on December 31, 2000 debt levels, a 1% change in interest rates would impact interest expense by approximately $1,937,000. Additionally, the company operates internationally and as a result is exposed to foreign currency fluctuations. Specifically, the exposure includes intercompany loans, and third party sales or payments. In an attempt to reduce this exposure, foreign currency forward contracts are utilized. The company does not believe that any potential loss related to these financial instruments will have a material adverse effect on the company's financial condition or results of operations. PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Terms such as "will," "should," "achieve," "increase," "plan," "can," "expect," "pursue," "benefit," "continue," "exceed," "improve," "believe," "build," "strengthen," "new," "lower," "drive," "seek," "hope," and "create," as well as similar comments, are forward-looking in nature. Actual results and events may differ significantly from those anticipated as a result of risks and uncertainties which include, but are not limited to the following: pricing pressures, increasing raw material costs, the consolidations of health care customers and competitors, government reimbursement issues including those that affect the viability of customers, the effect in offering customers competitive financing terms, Invacare's ability to effectively identify, acquire and integrate strategic acquisition candidates, the difficulties in managing and operating businesses in many different foreign jurisdictions, the timely completion of facility consolidations, the overall economic, market and industry growth conditions, foreign currency and interest rate risk, Invacare's ability to improve financing terms and reduce working capital, as well as the risks described from time to time in Invacare's reports as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 25 Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. Reference is made to the Report of Independent Auditors, Consolidated Balance Sheet, Consolidated Statement of Earnings, Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity, Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedule which appear on pages FS -1 to FS - 22 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure. None. PART III Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant. The information required by Item 10 as to the Directors of the company is incorporated herein by reference to the information set forth under the caption "Election of Directors" in the company's definitive Proxy Statement for the 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, since such Proxy Statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the end of the company's fiscal year pursuant to Regulation 14A. Information required by Item 10 as to the Executive Officers of the company is included in Part I of this Report on Form 10-K. Item 11. Executive Compensation. The information required by Item 11 is incorporated by reference to the information set forth under the captions "Compensation of Executive Officers" and "Compensation of Directors" in the company's definitive Proxy Statement for the 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, since such Proxy Statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the end of the company's fiscal year pursuant to Regulation 14A. Item. 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management. The information required by Item 12 is incorporated by reference to the information set forth under the caption "Share Ownership of Principal Holders and Management" in the company's definitive Proxy Statement for the 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, since such Proxy Statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the end of the company's fiscal year pursuant to Regulation 14A. Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions. The information required by Item 13 is incorporated by reference to the information set forth under the caption "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation" in the company's definitive Proxy Statement for the 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, since such Proxy Statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the end of the company's fiscal year pursuant to Regulation 14A. PART IV Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K. (a)(1) Financial Statements The following financial statements of the company are included in Part II, Item 8: Consolidated Statement of Earnings - years ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 Consolidated Balance Sheet - December 31, 2000 and 1999 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - years ended December 31, 2000, 1999, and 1998 Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity - years ended December 31, 2000, 1999, and 1998 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 26 (a)(2)Financial Statement Schedules. The following financial statement schedule of the company is included in Part II, Item 8: Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts All other schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable or not required, or because the required information is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto. (a)(3) Exhibits. See Exhibit Index at page number I-29 of this Report on Form 10-K. (b) Reports on Form 8-K. None Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on March 30, 2001. INVACARE CORPORATION By: /S/ A. Malachi Mixon, III ------------------------------------------- A. Malachi Mixon, III Chairman of the Board of Directors and 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 March 30, 2001. Signature Title /S/ A. Malachi Mixon, III Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief - ------------------------- Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) A. Malachi Mixon, III /S/ Gerald B. Blouch President, Chief Operating Officer and Director - -------------------------- Gerald B. Blouch /S/ Thomas R. Miklich Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel, - -------------------------- Corporate Secretary and Interim V.P.Human Resources Thomas R. Miklich (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) /S/ James C. Boland Director - -------------------------- James C. Boland /S/ Frank B. Carr Director - -------------------------- Frank B. Carr /S/ Michael F. Delaney Director - -------------------------- Michael F. Delaney /S/ Whitney Evans Director - -------------------------- Whitney Evans /S/ Bernadine P. Healy, M.D. Director - --------------------------- Bernadine P. Healy, M.D. /S/ John R. Kasich Director - -------------------------- John R. Kasich 27 /S/ Dan T. Moore, III Director - -------------------------- Dan T. Moore, III /S/ E. P. Nalley Director - -------------------------- E.P. Nalley /S/ Joseph B. Richey, II Director - -------------------------- Joseph B. Richey, II /S/ William M. Weber Director - ------------------------- William M. Weber 28 INVACARE CORPORATION Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000. Exhibit Index Official Exhibit No Description Sequential Page No. - ---------- ----------- ------------------- 3(a) - Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended through (A) May 29, 1987 3(b) - Code of Regulations, as amended on May 22, 1996 (V) 3(c) - Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended through February 2, 1996 (T) 4(a) - Specimen Share Certificate for Common Shares, as revised (H) 4(b) - Specimen Share Certificate for Class B Common Shares (H) 4(d) - Rights agreement between Invacare Corporation and Rights Agent dated as of (S) July 7, 1995 10(a) - Stock Option Plan, adopted in February 1984 (B)* 10(b) - Amendment to Stock Option Plan, adopted in May 1987 (C)* 10(c) - Amendment to Stock Option Plan, adopted in May 1988 (D)* 10(d) - Amendment to Stock Option Plan, adopted in May 1991 (I)* 10(h) - Assignment of Patent Application and License of Know-how dated January 14, 1981, and an (E) amendment thereto dated October 12, 1981, with respect to certain royalty payments to be made to the former owners of the company's home care bed subsidiary 10(p) - Form of Indemnity Agreement entered into by and between the company and certain of its (H) Directors and officers and Schedule of all such Agreements with current Directors and officers 10(r) - Master Note, between Invacare Corporation and Sanwa Bank, Limited (J) 10(s) - Employees' Stock Bonus Trust and Plan as amended and restated effective (G)* January 1, 1988 and as amended on April 13, 1988, April 3, 1990, and May 24, 1991 10(t) - Profit Sharing and Savings Trust and Plan effective as of January 1, 1988 and as amended (G)* on November 28, 1988, September 12, 1990, October 9, 1990, and May 24, 1991 10(u) - Agreement between Invacare Corporation and Weber, Wood, Medinger, Inc. (J) 10(v) - Real Property Purchase Agreement by and between Invacare Corporation and Taylor Street (N) limited partnership 10(z) - Note Agreement dated February 1, 1993 among Invacare Corporation and five purchasers of (P) an aggregate of $25,000,000, 7.45% Senior Notes due February 1, 2003 10(aa) - Amendments to Stock Option Plan adopted in May 1992 (M)* 10(ab) - 1992 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan adopted in May 1992 (K) 10(ac) - Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, adopted in May 1992 (L) 29 10(ad) - Shares Purchase and Contribution Agreement dated July 27, 1992 (O) 10(af) - Invacare Corporation 1994 Performance Plan approved January 28, 1994 (Q)* 10(ag) - Real Property Purchase Agreement between Mobilite Building Corporation (a newly formed (R) subsidiary of Invacare Corporation as of February 15, 1994) and I-M Associates, LTD. dated February 28, 1994 10(ar) - First Amendment to Note Agreement among Invacare Corporation and five purchasers of (U) Senior Notes dated March 20, 1997 10(as) - Loan Agreement by and among Invacare Corporation, the Banks, certain borrowing (F) subsidiaries, the Banks named therein, NBD Bank, as agent for the Banks and KeyBank National Association, as co-agent for the Banks 10(at) - Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated December 17, 1997, between Invacare Corporation, (W) Inva Acquisition Corp. and Invacare Supply Group, formerly Suburban Ostomy Supply Company, Inc. 10(au) - Note Purchase Agreement dated as of February 27, 1998 for $80,000,000 6.71% Series A (X) Senior Notes Due February 27, 2008 and $20,000,000 6.60% Series B Senior Notes Due February 27, 2005 10(av) - Amendment No. 1 to the Invacare Corporation 1994 Performance Plan approved May 28, 1998. (Z) 10(aw) - Amendment No. 2 to the Invacare Corporation 1994 Performance Plan approved May 24, 2000. (AA) 21 - Subsidiaries of the company 23 - Consent of Independent Auditors 99(a) - Executive Liability and Defense Coverage Insurance Policy (H) 99(b) - Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (Y) * Management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement (A) Reference is made to Exhibit A of the company's Definitive Proxy Statement used in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 28, 1987, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference. (B) Reference is made to the appropriate Exhibit of the company's Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1984, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference. (C) Reference is made to the appropriate Exhibit of the company's report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1987, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference. (D) Reference is made to Exhibit A of the company's Definitive Proxy Statement used in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 25, 1988, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference. (E) Reference is made to the appropriate Exhibit of the company's Form 8 Amendment No. 1 (filed on September 23, 1987) to its Registration Statement on Form 8-A (Reg. No. 0-12938, effective as of October 21, 1986), which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference. (F) Reference is made to the appropriate Exhibit of the company's report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, as amended, which is incorporated herein by reference. 30 (G) Reference is made to the appropriate Exhibit of the company's report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1990, as amended, which is incorporated herein by reference. (H) Reference is made to the appropriate Exhibit of the company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Reg. No. 33-40168), effective as of April 26, 1991, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference. (I) Reference is made to Exhibit A of the company's Definitive Proxy Statement used in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 24, 1991, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference. (J) Reference is made to the appropriate Exhibit of the company's report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1991, as amended, which is incorporated herein by reference. (K) Reference is made to Exhibit A of the company's Definitive Proxy Statement used in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 27, 1992, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference. (L) Reference is made to Exhibit B of the company's Definitive Proxy Statement used in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 27, 1992, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference. (M) Reference is made to Exhibit C of the company's Definitive Proxy Statement used in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 27, 1992, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference. (N) Reference is made to the appropriate Exhibit of the company's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1992, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference. (O) Reference is made to Exhibit 2 of the company's report on Form 8-K, dated October 29, 1992, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference. (P) Reference is made to the appropriate Exhibit of the company's report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference. (Q) Reference is made to Exhibit A of the company's Definitive Proxy Statement used in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 23, 1994, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference. (R) Reference is made to the appropriate Exhibit of the company's report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference. (S) Reference is made to Exhibit 1 of the company's report on Form 8-A, dated July 18, 1995, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference. (T) Reference is made to the appropriate Exhibit of the Company's Definitive Proxy Statement used in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 22, 1996, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference. (U) Reference is made to the appropriate Exhibit of the company's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1997, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference. (V) Reference is made to the appropriate Exhibit of the company's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference. (W) Reference is made to the appropriate Exhibit to the company's report on Form 8-K, dated January 23, 1998, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference. (X) Reference is made to the appropriate Exhibit of the company's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1998, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference. (Y) Reference is made to the appropriate Exhibit of the company's report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference. (Z) Reference is made to the appropriate Exhibit of the company's report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference. (AA) Reference is made to the appropriate Exhibit of the company's report on Form S-8, dated March 30, 2001, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference. 31 Report of Independent Auditors Shareholders and Board of Directors Invacare Corporation We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Invacare Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2000 and 1999, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, cash flows and shareholders' equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2000. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 14 (a)(2). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Invacare Corporation and subsidiaries at December 31, 2000 and 1999, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2000, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein. ERNST & YOUNG LLP Cleveland, Ohio January 23, 2001 32 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS INVACARE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES Years Ended December 31, 2000 1999 1998 ------------------------------------------- (In thousands, except per share data) Net sales $1,013,162 $882,774 $801,189 Cost of products sold 695,888 611,587 562,676 --------- -------- -------- Gross Profit 317,274 271,187 238,513 Selling, general and administrative expenses 201,543 170,321 151,263 Amortization of goodwill 8,899 7,258 6,332 Non-recurring and unusual items (11,430) 11,500 (5,736) Interest expense 27,853 22,093 20,616 Interest income (7,807) (7,929) (9,031) --------- -------- -------- Earnings before Income Taxes 98,216 67,944 75,069 Income taxes 38,305 26,450 29,277 --------- -------- -------- Net Earnings $ 59,911 $ 41,494 $ 45,792 ========== ========= ========= Net Earnings per Share - Basic $ 1.99 $ 1.38 $ 1.53 ========== ========= ========= Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Basic 30,128 30,138 29,932 ========== ========= ========= Net Earnings per Share - Assuming Dilution $ 1.95 $ 1.36 $ 1.50 ========== ========= ========= Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Assuming Dilution 30,761 30,619 30,583 ========== ========= ========= See notes to consolidated financial statements. 33 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET INVACARE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES December 31, December 31, 2000 1999 ------------ ------------ (In thousands) Assets Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 12,357 $ 18,258 Marketable securities 845 1,593 Trade receivables, net 211,372 184,592 Installment receivables, net 56,659 67,336 Inventories, net 105,295 108,535 Deferred income taxes 31,605 26,561 Other current assets 14,275 11,745 --------- -------- Total Current Assets 432,408 418,620 Other Assets 74,305 71,316 Property and Equipment, net 134,913 137,132 Goodwill, net 310,229 328,217 -------- -------- Total Assets $951,855 $955,285 ======== ======== Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current Liabilities Accounts payable $ 81,316 $ 58,367 Accrued expenses 92,453 97,156 Accrued income taxes 23,860 15,547 Current maturities of long-term obligations 5,807 6,401 -------- -------- Total Current Liabilities 203,436 177,471 Long-Term Debt 384,316 440,795 Other Long-Term Obligations 14,330 18,147 Shareholders' Equity Preferred Shares (Authorized 300 shares; none outstanding) 0 0 Common Shares (Authorized 100,000 shares; 29,186 and 29,125 issued in 2000 and 1999, respectively) 7,301 7,282 Class B Common Shares (Authorized 12,000 shares; 1,372 and 1,433, issued and outstanding in 2000 and 1999, respectively) 343 358 Additional paid-in-capital 79,105 79,470 Retained earnings 310,367 251,955 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (43,430) (8,976) Treasury shares (177 and 579 shares in 2000 and 1999, respectively) (3,913) (11,217) --------- -------- Total Shareholders' Equity 349,773 318,872 --------- -------- Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $951,855 $955,285 ========= ========= See notes to consolidated financial statements. 34 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS INVACARE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES Years Ended December 31, 2000 1999 1998 --------- --------- --------- (In thousands) Operating Activities Net earnings $ 59,911 $ 41,494 $ 45,792 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: Non-recurring unusual charge 1,070 5,810 5,049 Depreciation and amortization 31,469 25,978 23,754 Provision for losses on trade and installment receivables 14,109 10,333 2,802 Provision for deferred income taxes (178) 4,608 6,425 Provision for other deferred liabilities 868 559 1,131 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Trade receivables (38,341) (22,402) (34,315) Inventories (6,494) (7,465) (2,176) Other current assets (3,192) (729) (2,518) Accounts payable 24,195 3,345 2,857 Accrued expenses (4,991) 11,309 1,149 --------- --------- --------- Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 78,426 72,840 49,950 Investing Activities Purchases of property and equipment (26,445) (32,808) (40,309) Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 177 653 804 Installment contracts written (56,391) (86,833) (72,641) Payments received on installment contracts 68,831 72,642 64,036 Marketable securities purchased (501) (623) (571) Marketable securities sold 1,017 1,481 1,512 Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired (2,814) (141,536) (129,318) Increase in other investments (4,257) (3,609) (3,212) Increase in other long-term assets (8,745) (9,700) (13,123) Other 1,377 2,178 5,051 --------- --------- --------- Net Cash Required for Investing Activities (27,751) (198,155) (187,771) Financing Activities Proceeds from revolving lines of credit and long-term borrowings 109,588 344,908 371,512 Principal payments on revolving lines of credit, long-term debt and capital lease obligations (163,534) (208,033) (231,427) Proceeds from exercise of stock options 5,965 1,441 3,766 Payment of dividends (1,499) (1,493) (1,487) Purchase of treasury stock 0 (2,661) (2,517) --------- --------- --------- Net Cash Provided (Required) by Financing Activities (49,480) 134,162 140,835 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (7,096) (49) 750 --------- --------- --------- Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (5,901) 8,798 3,764 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 18,258 9,460 5,696 --------- --------- --------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 12,357 $ 18,258 $9,460 ========= ========= ========= See notes to consolidated financial statements. 35 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY INVACARE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES (In thousands) Accumulated Additional Other Common Class B Paid-in- Retained Comprehensive Treasury Stock Shares Stock Shares Capital Earnings Earnings(Loss) Stock Shares Total ------ ------ ------- ------ ---------- -------- -------------- -------- ------ ----- January 1, 1998 Balance $ 7,182 28,724 $359 1,438 $74,954 $167,649 $ (6,506) $ (7,223) (438) $236,415 Conversion of shares from Class B to Common 1 4 (1) (4) - Exercise of stock options 84 338 4,909 4,993 Net earnings 45,792 45,792 Foreign currency translation adjustments (561) (561) Marketable securities holding gain/(loss), (645) (645) net of tax ----- Total comprehensive 44,586 income Dividends - $.05 per (1,487) (1,487) share Repurchase of treasury (3,619) (169) (3,619) shares - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ December 31, 1998 Balance 7,267 29,066 358 1,434 79,863 211,954 (7,712) (10,842) (607) 280,888 Conversion of shares from Class B to Common 1 (1) - Exercise of stock options 15 58 (393) 2,286 148 1,908 Net earnings 41,494 41,494 Foreign currency translation adjustments (1,561) (1,561) Marketable securities holding gain/(loss), 297 297 net of tax --- Total comprehensive 40,230 income Dividends - $.05 per (1,493) (1,493) share Repurchase of treasury (2,661) (120) (2,661) shares - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ December 31, 1999 Balance 7,282 29,125 358 1,433 79,470 251,955 (8,976) (11,217) (579) 318,872 Conversion of shares from Class B to Common 15 61 (15) (61) - Exercise of stock options 4 (365) 7,304 402 6,943 Net earnings 59,911 59,911 Foreign currency translation adjustments (34,793) (34,793) Marketable securities holding gain/(loss), 339 339 net of tax --- Total comprehensive 25,457 income Dividends - $.05 per (1,499) (1,499) share - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ December 31, 2000 Balance $7,301 29,186 $343 1,372 $79,105 $310,367 $(43,430) $(3,913) (177) $349,773 See notes to consolidated financial statements. 36 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INVACARE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES ACCOUNTING POLICIES Nature of Operations: Invacare Corporation and its subsidiaries (the "company") is the leading home medical equipment manufacturer in the world based on its distribution channels, the breadth of its product line and sales. The company designs, manufactures and distributes an extensive line of medical equipment for the home health care, retail and extended care markets. The company's products include standard manual wheelchairs, motorized and lightweight prescription wheelchairs, seating and positioning systems, motorized scooters, patient aids, home care beds and low air loss therapy products. Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the company and its majority owned subsidiaries. Certain foreign subsidiaries are consolidated using a November 30 fiscal year end. All significant intercompany transactions are eliminated. Use of Estimates: The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements: Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and for Hedging Activities, as amended, requires all derivative instruments to be recognized on the balance sheet at fair value.The adoption of the statement effective January 1, 2001 did not have a material effect on the consolidated results of operations or financial position of the company. Marketable Securities: Marketable securities consist of short-term investments in repurchase agreements, government and corporate securities, certificates of deposit and equity securities. Marketable securities with original maturities of less than three months are treated as cash equivalents. The company has classified its marketable securities as available for sale. The securities are carried at their fair value and net unrealized holding gains and losses, net of tax, are carried as a component of accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss). Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market with cost principally determined for domestic manufacturing inventories by the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method and for non-domestic inventories and domestic finished products purchased for resale ($74,878,000 and $81,841,000 at December 2000 and 1999, respectively) by the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Market costs are based on the lower of replacement cost or estimated net realizable value. Property and Equipment: Property and equipment are stated on the basis of cost. The company principally uses the straight-line method of depreciation for financial reporting purposes based on annual rates sufficient to amortize the cost of the assets over their estimated useful lives. Accelerated methods of depreciation are used for Federal income tax purposes. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Estimated Liability for Future Warranty Cost: Generally, the company's products are covered by warranties against defects in material and workmanship for periods up to six years from the date of sale to the customer. Certain parts and components carry a lifetime warranty. A non-renewable warranty is also offered on various products for a maximum period of five years. A provision for estimated warranty cost is recorded at the time of sale based upon actual experience. Research and Development: Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. The company's annual expenditures for product development and engineering were approximately $16,231,000, $15,534,000, and $12,980,000 for 2000, 1999, and 1998, respectively. Revenue Recognition: The company recognizes revenue when the product is shipped and provides an appropriate allowance for estimated returns and adjustments. In 2000, the Company changed its accounting policy to reflect in its consolidated statement of earnings costs to ship products as a component of costs of products sold and related revenue from shipping products as a component of net sales. 37 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--Continued INVACARE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES ACCOUNTING POLICIES--Continued Income Taxes: The company uses the liability method in measuring the provision for income taxes and recognizing deferred tax assets and liabilities in the balance sheet. The liability method requires that deferred income taxes reflect the tax consequences of currently enacted rates for differences between the tax and financial reporting bases of assets and liabilities. Undistributed earnings of the company's foreign subsidiaries are considered to be indefinitely reinvested and, accordingly, no provision for U.S. or state income taxes has been provided. Net Earnings Per Share: Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted-average number of Common Shares and Class B Common Shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share are computed based on the weighted-average number of Common Shares and Class B Common Shares outstanding plus the effects of dilutive stock options outstanding during the year. Foreign Currency Translation: Substantially all the assets and liabilities of the company's foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at year end exchange rates.Revenues and expenses are translated at weighted average exchange rates. Gains and losses resulting from translation are included in accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss). Goodwill: The excess of the aggregate purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired is amortized by use of the straight line method for periods ranging from 20 to 40 years. The accumulated amortization was $36,187,000 and $27,298,000 at December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively. The carrying value of goodwill is reviewed at each balance sheet date to determine whether goodwill has been impaired. If this review indicates that goodwill will not be recoverable, as determined based on the undiscounted cash flows of the entity acquired over the remaining amortization period, the company's carrying value of the goodwill would be reduced by the estimated shortfall of discounted cash flows. Based on the company's review as of December 31, 2000, no impairment of goodwill was evident. Advertising: Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Advertising expenses amounted to $18,261,000, $17,391,000, and $13,386,000 for 2000, 1999, and 1998,respectively. RECEIVABLES Trade receivables are net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $13,048,000 and $11,297,000 in 2000 and 1999, respectively. Installment receivables as of December 31, 2000 and 1999 consist of the following: 2000 1999 Long- Long- (In thousands) Current Term* Total Current Term* Total ------- ----- ----- ------- ----- ----- Installment receivables $75,306 $15,865 $91,171 $78,701 $26,817 $105,518 Less: Unearned interest (2,868) (1,047) (3,915) (3,380) (1,653) (5,033) Allowance for doubtful accounts (15,779) (1,910) (17,689) (7,985) (2,152) (10,137) -------- -------- -------- ------- ------- -------- $56,659 $12,908 $69,567 $67,336 23,012 $90,348 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======= ======== * Long - term installment receivables are included in "Other Assets" on the consolidated balance sheet. INVENTORIES Inventories as of December 31, 2000 and 1999 consist of the following: 2000 1999 ---- ---- (In thousands) Raw materials $29,417 $33,564 Work in process 15,039 16,825 Finished goods 60,839 58,146 ------- ------- $105,295 $108,535 ======== ======== The value of inventory on the LIFO method is approximately equal to its current cost as of December 31, 2000 and as of December 31, 1999. 38 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--Continued INVACARE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT Property and equipment as of December 31, 2000 and 1999 consist of the following: 2000 1999 ------- ------- (In thousands) Land, buildings and improvements $55,760 $58,974 Machinery and equipment 176,885 163,717 Furniture and fixtures 13,443 14,776 Leasehold improvements 10,308 9,985 ------- ------- 256,396 247,452 Less allowance for depreciation 121,483 110,320 ------- ------- $ 134,913 $ 137,132 ========== ========= CURRENT LIABILITIES Accrued expenses as of December 31, 2000 and 1999 consist of the following: 2000 1999 ------ ------ (In thousands) Accrued salaries and wages $29,124 $24,991 Acquisition reserves 10,286 15,267 Accrued insurance 4,452 8,259 Accrued warranty cost 7,917 7,758 Accrued rebates 4,137 5,001 Accrued interest 4,350 4,660 Accrued product liability, current portion 679 1,142 Other accrued items 31,508 30,078 ------ ------ $92,453 $97,156 ========= ========= ACQUISITIONS Effective July 31, 1999, IVC Holdings Denmark A/S ("Holdings"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Invacare Corporation, acquired substantially all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Scandinavian Mobility International A/S ("SMI"), a Danish corporation for approximately $142 million in cash. The acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the common stock acquired is being amortized over 40 years. SMI is a producer and distributor of rehabilitation products, mobility aids and related products in Europe. In connection with the acquisition, the purchase price allocation for Invacare's business restructuring plan to consolidate and integrate the operations of SMI and Invacare was completed in 2000. Accordingly, restructuring reserves consisting of accruals for severance and other employee related costs ($9.8 million) and costs associated with the closure of facilities ($10.8 million) were recorded. Payments charged against the SMI restructuring reserve totaled approximately $8.5 million for severance and other employee related costs and $3.5 million for costs associated with the closure of facilities as of December 31, 2000. The company expects that the remaining restructuring reserves will be utilized during 2001. The following unaudited pro forma consolidated results of operations give effect to the SMI acquisition as though it had occurred on January 1, 1999 and includes certain adjustments, such as additional amortization expense as a result of goodwill and increased interest expense related to debt incurred for the acquisition. (In thousands, except per share data) Twelve Months Ended December 31, 1999 ----------------- Net sales $958,754 Net income 42,017 Income per share - basic 1.39 Income per share - diluted 1.37 39 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--Continued INVACARE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES ACQUISITIONS--Continued Pro forma net sales and net income are not necessarily indicative of the net sales and net income that would have occurred had the acquisition been made at the beginning of the period or the results that may occur in the future. In January 1998, the company acquired for approximately $132 million in cash all outstanding shares of Invacare Supply Group (ISG), formerly known as Suburban Ostomy Supply Company, Inc., a leading national direct marketing wholesaler of medical supplies and related products to the home care industry. The operating results of this acquisition were included in the company's consolidated results of operations from the date of acquisition. The transaction was accounted for by the purchase method of accounting. LEASES AND COMMITMENTS The company leases a substantial portion of its facilities, transportation equipment, data processing equipment and certain other equipment. These leases have terms of up to 10 years and provide for renewal options. Generally, the company is required to pay taxes and normal expenses of operating the facilities and equipment. As of December 31, 2000, the company is committed under non-cancelable operating leases which have initial or remaining terms in excess of one year and expire on various dates through 2008. Lease expenses were approximately $11,269,000 in 2000, $9,178,000 in 1999 and $7,975,000 in 1998. Future minimum operating lease commitments as of December 31, 2000, are as follows: Year Amount ---- ------ (In thousands) 2001 $ 8,658 2002 6,111 2003 3,949 2004 2,342 2005 937 Thereafter 727 ------ Total Future Minimum Lease Payments $22,724 ======= The amount of buildings and equipment capitalized in connection with capital leases was $4,360,000 and $3,713,000 at December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively. At December 31, 2000 and 1999, accumulated amortization was $2,033,000 and $2,172,000, respectively. RETIREMENT AND BENEFIT PLANS Substantially all full-time salaried and hourly domestic employees are included in two profit sharing plans sponsored by the company. The company makes matching contributions up to 66.7% of the first 3% of employees' contributions and may make discretionary contributions to the domestic plans based on an annual resolution of the Board of Directors. The contributions can either be in the form of cash or property to the Profit Sharing Plan or in the form of cash, Common Shares or property to the Employee Stock Bonus Trust and Plan. Cash contributions to the Employee Stock Bonus Trust and Plan are used to purchase the company's Common Shares on the open market. The company sponsors a 401(k) Benefit Equalization Plan covering certain employees, which provides for retirement payments so that the total retirement payments equal amounts that would have been payable from the company's principal retirement plans if it were not for limitations imposed by income tax regulations. Contribution expense for the above plans in 2000, 1999 and 1998 was $5,071,000, $5,328,000, and $4,308,000, respectively. The company also sponsors a non-qualified defined benefit Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) for certain key executives to recapture benefits lost due to governmental limitations on qualified plan contributions. The projected benefit obligation related to this unfunded plan was $25,951,000 at December 31, 2000. Pension expense for the plan in 2000, 1999 and 1998 was $1,714,000, $1,168,000, and $1,085,000, respectively. 40 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--Continued INVACARE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY TRANSACTIONS At December 31, 2000, the company had 100,000,000 authorized Common Shares, without par value, and 12,000,000 authorized Class B Common Shares, without par value. In general, the Common Shares and the Class B Common Shares have identical rights, terms and conditions and vote together as a single class on most issues, except that the Class B Common Shares have ten votes per share, carry a 10% lower cash dividend rate and, in general, can only be transferred to family members. Holders of Class B Common Shares are entitled to convert their shares into Common Shares at any time on a share-for-share basis. At December 31, 2000, the company had 300,000 shares of Serial Preferred Shares authorized, none of which were issued or outstanding. Serial Preferred Shares are entitled to one vote per share. During 1994, the Board of Directors adopted and the Shareholders approved the 1994 Performance Plan (the "1994 Plan"). In May, 2000, the 1994 Plan was amended to increase the number of Common Shares reserved for issuance by 2,000,000 Commons Shares. The 1994 Plan, as amended, provides for the issuance of up to 5,500,000 Common Shares in connection with stock options and other awards granted under the 1994 Plan. The 1994 Plan, as amended, allows the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Committee") to grant incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights and stock awards (including the use of restricted stock). The Committee has the authority to determine the employees and directors that will receive awards, the amount of the awards and the other terms and conditions of the awards. Payments of the stock appreciation rights may be made in cash, Common Shares or a combination thereof. There were no stock appreciation rights outstanding at December 31, 2000, 1999 or 1998. During 2000, the Committee, under the 1994 Plan, granted 1,082,056 non-qualified stock options for a term of ten years at 100% of the fair market value of the underlying shares on the date of grant. The company also has a Stock Option Plan for non-employee Directors. The plan was approved May 27, 1992 and provides for the granting of up to a maximum of 100,000 options to eligible new Directors. Directors will receive grants with exercise prices at 100% of the fair market value of the company's stock on the date of grant. At December 31, 2000, there were 12,550 options outstanding under this plan. During 2000, no options were granted under this plan. The Plans have provisions for the net share settlement of options. Under these provisions, the company settled 79,922 treasury shares for $2,663,062 in 2000, 78,433 treasury shares for $1,860,663 in 1999 and 144,489 treasury shares for $3,120,476 in 1998. As of December 31, 2000, an aggregate of 10,741,722 Common Shares were reserved for conversion of Class B Common Shares, future rights (as defined below) and the exercise and future grant of options. Weighted Weighted Weighted Average Average Average Exercise Exercise Exercise 2000 Price 1999 Price 1998 Price ---- -------- ---- -------- ---- -------- Options outstanding at January 1, 4,059,133 $18.70 3,057,020 $16.90 2,967,762 $15.05 Granted 1,082,056 24.33 1,397,080 20.75 517,707 23.68 Exercised (659,187) 11.35 (285,575) 7.39 (337,933) 9.29 Canceled (192,239) 22.37 (109,392) 23.70 (90,516) 23.67 --------- ----- --------- ----- -------- ----- Options outstanding at December 31, 4,289,763 $21.08 4,059,133 $18.70 3,057,020 $16.90 ========= ====== ========= ======= ========= ====== Options price range at December 31, $ 7.50 $ 2.19 $ 2.19 to to to $ 31.25 $ 27.50 $ 27.50 Options exercisable at December 31, 1,965,220 2,018,674 1,906,538 Options available for grant at December 31, 1,466,643 356,460 1,644,148 41 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--Continued INVACARE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY TRANSACTIONS--Continued The company utilizes the disclosure-only provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (SFAS 123). Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for the stock option plans. Had compensation cost for the company's stock option plans been determined based on the fair value at the grant date for awards in 2000, 1999 and 1998 consistent with the provisions of SFAS 123, the company's net earnings and earnings per share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below: (In thousands except per share data) 2000 1999 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net earnings - as reported $59,911 $41,494 $45,792 Net earnings - pro forma $55,839 $38,639 $43,302 Earnings per share as reported - basic $ 1.99 $ 1.38 $ 1.53 Earnings per share as reported - assuming dilution $ 1.95 $ 1.36 $ 1.50 Pro forma earnings per share - basic $ 1.85 $ 1.28 $ 1.45 Pro forma earnings per share - assuming dilution $ 1.82 $ 1.26 $ 1.42 The assumption regarding the stock options issued in 2000, 1999 and 1998 was that 25% of such options vested in the year following issuance. The stock options awarded during the year provided a four year vesting period whereby options vest equally in each year. Current and prior years pro forma disclosures may be adjusted for forfeitures of awards that will not vest because service or employment requirements have not been met. 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 used for grants in 2000: dividend yield of 1.35%; expected volatility of 29.7%; risk-free interest rate of 4.96%; and an expected life of 6.8 years. The weighted-average fair value of options granted during the year 2000, per the Black-Scholes model based on the expected exercise year of 2007, is $8.99. The plans provide that shares granted come from the company's authorized but unissued common stock or treasury shares. Pursuant to the plan, the Committee has established that the 2000 grants may not be exercised within one year from the date granted and options must be exercised within ten years from the date granted. The weighted-average remaining contractual life of options outstanding at December 31, 2000 is 7.6 years. On July 7, 1995, the company adopted a Rights Plan whereby each holder of a Common Share and Class B Common Share received one purchase right (the "Rights") for each share owned. Under certain conditions, each Right may be exercised to purchase one-tenth of one Common Share at a price of $8 per one-tenth of a share. The Rights may only be exercised 10 days after a third party has acquired 30% or more of the company's outstanding voting power or 10 days after a third party commences a tender offer for 30% or more of the voting power (an "Acquiring Party"). In addition, if an Acquiring Party merges with the company and the company's Common Shares are not changed or exchanged, or if an Acquiring Party engages in one of a number of self-dealing transactions, each holder of a Right (other than the Acquiring Party) will have the right to receive that number of Common Shares or similar securities of the resulting entity having a market value equal to two times the exercise price of the Right. The company may redeem the Rights at a price of $.005 per Right at any time prior to 10 days following a public announcement that an Acquiring Party has acquired beneficial ownership of 30% or more of the company's outstanding voting power, and in certain other circumstances as approved by the Board of Directors. The Rights will expire on July 7, 2005. 42 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--Continued INVACARE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net earnings per common share. 2000 1999 1998 ---- ---- --- (In thousands except per share data) Basic Average common shares outstanding 30,128 30,138 29,932 Net earnings $59,911 $41,494 $45,792 Net earnings per common share $ 1.99 $ 1.38 $ 1.53 Diluted Average common shares outstanding 30,128 30,138 29,932 Stock options 633 481 651 ------- ------- ------- Average common shares assuming dilution 30,761 30,619 30,583 Net earnings $59,911 $ 41,494 $ 45,792 Net earnings per common share $ 1.95 $ 1.36 $ 1.50 OTHER COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS (LOSS) The components of other comprehensive earnings (loss) are as follows: (In thousands) Unrealized Currency Gain (Loss) on Translation Available-for-Sale Adjustments Securities Total ----------- ------------------ --------- Balance at January 1, 1998 $ (7,575) $ 1,069 $ (6,506) Foreign currency translation adjustments (561) (561) Unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities (1,057) (1,057) Deferred tax (expense) benefit relating to unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities 412 412 ----------- ------------------ --------- Balance at December 31, 1998 (8,136) 424 (7,712) Foreign currency translation adjustments (1,561) (1,561) Unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities 487 487 Deferred tax (expense) benefit relating to unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities (190) (190) ----------- ------------------ --------- Balance at December 31, 1999 (9,697) 721 (8,976) Foreign currency translation adjustments (34,793) (34,793) Unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities 556 556 Deferred tax (expense) benefit relating to unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities (217) (217) ----------- ------------------ --------- Balance at December 31, 2000 $(44,490) $ 1,060 $(43,430) =========== ================== ========= 43 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--Continued INVACARE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS Long-term obligations as of December 31, 2000 and 1999 consist of the following: 2000 1999 ---- ---- (In thousands) $25,000,000 senior notes at 7.45%, mature in February 2003 $10,715 $14,285 $80,000,000 senior notes at 6.71%, due in February 2008 80,000 80,000 $20,000,000 senior notes at 6.60%, due in February 2005 20,000 20,000 Revolving credit agreement ($425,000,000 multi-currency) at .185% to .375% above local interbank offered rates, expires October 31, 2002 271,584 326,873 Notes and mortgages payable, secured by buildings and equipment 4,215 2,374 Capitalized lease obligations 2,465 1,584 Product liability 2,201 5,683 Deferred federal income taxes 2,886 1,172 Other, principally SERP 10,387 13,372 --------- --------- 404,453 465,343 Less current maturities of long-term obligations 5,807 6,401 --------- --------- $398,646 $458,942 ========= ========= In 1997, the company entered into a $425,000,000 multi-currency revolving credit agreement with a group of commercial banks, which expires on October 31, 2002, or such later date as mutually agreed upon by the company and the banks. Borrowings denominated in foreign currencies aggregated $45,220,000 at December 31, 2000 and $185,349,000 at December 31, 1999. The borrowing rates under the agreement are determined based on the funded debt to capitalization ratio of the company as defined in the agreement and range from .185% to .375% above the various interbank offered rates. As of December 31, 2000 and 1999, the weighted average floating interest rate on U.S. borrowings was 6.15% and 5.68%, respectively. The agreement requires the company to maintain certain conditions with respect to net worth, funded debt to capitalization, and interest coverage as defined in the agreement. At December 31, 2000, $148,499,394 of retained earnings is available for dividends. In March 2000, the company fixed the interest rate on $25,000,000 of its U.S. dollar borrowings through two interest rate swap agreements. One agreement is for $15,000,000 U.S. dollars and the other agreement is for $10,000,000 U.S. dollars. The effect of the swaps is to exchange a short-term floating interest rate for a fixed rate of 7.03% on one agreement and 7.04% on the other agreement In November 1999, the company fixed the interest rate on $25,000,000 of its U.S. dollar borrowings through an interest rate swap agreement. The effect of the swap is to exchange a short-term floating interest rate for a fixed rate of 6.29% for a two year term. In May 1999, the company fixed the interest rate on $20,000,000 of its U.S. dollar borrowings through two interest rate swap agreements. Each agreement is for $10,000,000 U.S. dollars. The effect of the swaps is to exchange a short-term floating interest rate for a fixed rate of 5.63% for a four year term on both agreements. The notes and mortgages payable financed the purchase of certain buildings and equipment which secure the obligations. The notes and mortgages payable bear interest at rates from 5.7% to 12.3% and mature through 2021. The capital leases are principally for manufacturing facilities with payments due through 2009. The company is self-insured for a portion of its product liability and certain other liability exposures. Product liability for domestically manufactured products is insured through the company's captive insurance company, which insures annual aggregate policy losses of $5 million. In the prior two policy years, the limit of liability was $2 million per claim and $3 million in the aggregate. The company also has additional layers of coverage insuring $85,000,000 in annual aggregate losses arising from individual claims that exceed the captive insurance company policy limits. The aggregate minimum combined maturities of long-term obligations are approximately $5,807,000 in 2001, $277,722,000 in 2002, $4,621,000 in 2003, $477,000 in 2004, $347,000 in 2005 and $101,148,000 thereafter. Interest paid on borrowings was $29,987,000, $21,646,000 and $18,995,000 in 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively. 44 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--Continued INVACARE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES INCOME TAXES Earnings before income taxes consist of the following: 2000 1999 1998 -------- -------- -------- (In thousands) Domestic $ 67,730 $ 52,924 $ 69,037 Foreign 30,486 15,020 6,032 -------- -------- -------- $ 98,216 $ 67,944 $ 75,069 ======== ======== ======== The company has provided for income taxes as follows: 2000 1999 1998 -------- -------- -------- (In thousands) Current: Federal $ 24,704 $ 10,157 $ 16,428 State 4,100 2,800 4,000 Foreign 11,134 8,755 4,642 ------ -------- ------- 39,938 21,712 25,070 Deferred: Federal (2,192) 7,698 4,471 State - - - Foreign 559 (2,960) (264) ------ -------- -------- (1,633) 4,738 4,207 ------ -------- -------- Income Taxes $ 38,305 $ 26,450 $ 29,277 ======== ========= ======== At December 31, 2000, the company had foreign tax loss carryforwards of approximately $8,210,000 of which $4,100,000 are non-expiring, $1,340,000 expire between 2001 and 2004 and $2,700,000 expire in 2005. The company made income tax payments of $28,626,000, $13,264,000 and $13,731,000 during the years ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively. A reconciliation to the effective income tax rate from the federal statutory rate follows: 2000 1999 1998 -------- -------- -------- Statutory federal income tax rate 35.0% 35.0% 35.0% State and local income taxes, net of Federal income tax benefit 2.7 2.7 3.5 Tax credits (1.9) (2.1) (2.3) Goodwill 3.2 3.8 2.9 Other, net - (.5) (.1) -------- -------- -------- 39.0% 38.9% 39.0% ======== ======== ======== 45 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--Continued INVACARE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES INCOME TAXES--Continued Significant components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2000 and 1999 are as follows: 2000 1999 -------- -------- (In thousands) Current deferred income tax assets, net: Bad debt $ 12,360 $ 7,056 Warranty 1,794 1,336 Inventory 2,102 3,313 Other accrued expenses and reserves 5,680 7,005 State and local taxes 1,932 2,019 Litigation reserves 3,730 2,367 Compensation and benefits 2,422 2,175 Product liability 254 274 Loss carryforwards 1,555 72 Other, net (224) 944 -------- -------- $ 31,605 $ 26,561 -------- -------- Long-term deferred income tax assets (liabilities), net: Fixed assets (9,477) (7,303) Product liability 899 1,144 Loss carryforwards 1,015 800 Compensation and benefits 4,590 3,725 State and local taxes 2,400 2,400 Valuation reserve (1,092) (848) Other, net (1,221) (1,090) -------- -------- $(2,886) $ (1,172) -------- -------- Net Deferred Income Taxes $ 28,719 $ 25,389 ======== ======== INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) QUARTER ENDED (In thousands, except per share data) 2000 March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31, ---- --------- ---------- ------------- ------------ Net sales $245,593 $247,542 $251,728 $268,299 Gross profit 72,880 79,669 79,324 85,401 Earnings before income taxes 16,351 22,440 28,551 30,874 Net earnings 9,974 13,689 17,416 18,832 Net earnings per share - basic .33 .46 .58 .62 Net earnings per share - assuming dilution .33 .45 .57 .61 1999 March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31, ---- --------- ---------- ------------- ----------- Net sales $197,221 $203,323 $224,463 $257,767 Gross profit 56,737 62,085 70,507 81,858 Earnings before income taxes 13,922 19,538 23,068 11,416 Net earnings 8,492 11,914 14,077 7,011 Net earnings per share - basic .28 .39 .46 .23 Net earnings per share - assuming dilution .28 .39 .46 .23 See non-recurring and unusual items footnote for disclosure of credits/charges taken in the fourth quarter of 2000 and 1999. 46 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--Continued INVACARE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES BUSINESS SEGMENTS The company operates in three primary business segments based on geographical area: North America, Europe and Australasia. The three reportable segments represent operating groups which offer products to different geographic regions. The North America segment consists of five operating groups which sell the following products: wheelchairs, scooters, seating products, self care products, home care beds, low air loss therapy products, patient transport products, distributed products, extended care and furniture products, respiratory and other products. The Europe segment consists of one operating group that sells primarily wheelchairs, scooters, self care products, patient lifts and slings and oxygen products. The Australasia segment consists of two operating groups which sell primarily custom power wheelchairs, electronic wheelchair controllers, oxygen products and patient aids. Each business segment sells to the home health care, retail and extended care markets. The company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on profit or loss from operations before income taxes for each reportable segment. The accounting policies of each segment are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies for the company's consolidated financial statements. Intersegment sales and transfers are based on the costs to manufacture plus a reasonable profit element. Therefore, intercompany profit or loss on intersegment sales and transfers is not considered in evaluating segment performance. Intersegment revenue for reportable segments are $61,372,000, $57,027,000 and $47,881,000 for the years ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively. The information by segment is as follows (In thousands): Year ended December 31, 2000 North Australia/ All America Europe Asia Other* Consolidated ----------- ------------ ------------ --------------- ---------------- Revenues from external customers $741,255 $238,208 $ 33,699 - $1,013,162 Depreciation and amortization 21,070 8,814 1,585 - 31,469 Net interest expense 19,867 7,342 195 (7,358) 20,046 Earnings (loss) before income taxes 125,188 12,142 10,859 (49,973) 98,216 Assets 535,067 278,591 32,601 105,596 951,855 Expenditures for assets 16,884 7,922 1,639 - 26,445 Year ended December 31, 1999 North Australia/ All America Europe Asia Other* Consolidated ----------- ------------ ------------ --------------- ---------------- Revenues from external customers $667,658 $189,371 $ 25,745 - $882,774 Depreciation and amortization 18,115 6,230 1,633 - 25,978 Net interest expense 14,792 1,605 459 (2,692) 14,164 Earnings (loss) before income taxes 109,134 (541) 8,590 (49,239) 67,944 Assets 529,397 302,465 29,679 93,744 955,285 Expenditures for assets 27,082 3,586 2,140 - 32,808 Year ended December 31, 1998 North Australia/ All America Europe Asia Other* Consolidated ----------- ------------ ------------ --------------- ---------------- Revenues from external customers $650,788 $130,335 $ 20,066 - $801,189 Depreciation and amortization 18,283 5,327 140 4 23,754 Net interest expense 11,729 1,765 1,398 (3,307) 11,585 Earnings (loss) before income taxes 122,730 (1,002) 2,862 (49,521) 75,069 Assets 507,397 134,143 25,010 72,206 738,756 Expenditures for assets 35,219 4,997 93 - 40,309 * Consists of the Invacare captive insurance unit, domestic export unit and corporate selling, general and administrative costs, which do not meet the quantitative criteria for determining reportable segments. 47 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--Continued INVACARE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES BUSINESS SEGMENTS--Continued Net sales by product, are as follows: North America 2000 1999 1998 ------------- ----------- ---------------- --------------- Rehab $190,228 $176,022 $176,056 Standard Wheelchairs 110,101 97,108 102,468 Distributed 122,991 104,264 95,887 Personal Care/Patient Transport/Beds 162,675 138,672 129,263 Respiratory 84,074 80,021 70,724 Institutional products 30,833 32,223 31,463 Parts 19,472 18,671 17,906 Other 20,881 20,677 27,021 -------- -------- -------- $741,255 $667,658 $650,788 ======== ======== ======== Europe 2000 1999 1998 ------ ----------- ---------------- --------------- Rehab $ 92,668 $50,579 $ 38,996 Standard Wheelchairs 46,401 76,705 50,188 Personal Care/Patient Transport/Beds 46,218 39,184 22,010 Respiratory 7,150 6,321 4,642 Institutional products 11,349 - - Parts 28,714 - - Other 5,708 16,582 14,499 -------- -------- -------- $238,208 $189,371 $130,335 ======== ======== ======== Australasia 2000 1999 1998 ----------- ----------- ---------------- --------------- Rehab $ 25,652 $ 20,501 $ 20,066 Standard Wheelchairs 1,282 179 - Distributed 221 - - Personal Care/Patient Transport/Beds 1,138 256 - Respiratory 4,817 4,808 - Other 589 - - -------- -------- -------- $ 33,699 $ 25,744 $ 20,066 ======== ======== ======== Total Consolidated $1,013,162 $882,774 $801,189 ========== ======== ======== No single customer accounted for more than 5% of the company's sales. CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK The company manufactures and distributes durable medical equipment and supplies to the home health care, retail and extended care markets. The company performs credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition. To further assist dealers in reducing their cash requirements for inventory and rental equipment, the company provides various financing options for certain types of products through Invacare Credit Corporation "ICC". In a typical financing arrangement, the company sells the equipment on a financing contract to the dealer for periods ranging from 6 to 48 months. The majority of these transactions are secured with a UCC-1 filing, purchase money securities and/or personal guarantees. As of November 15, 2000, ICC converted its commercial purchase agreements into leases and has contracted with DLL, a subsidiary of Robo Bank of the Netherlands, for the sale of such leases. The company also transferred a portion of the existing ICC portfolio to DLL for cash ($16,000,000). No gain or loss was recognized on the transfer of the existing portfolio. The agreement for the third party credit, as well as the transfer of receivables, is with partial recourse to Invacare. 48 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--Continued INVACARE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK--Continued Substantially all of the company's receivables are due from health care, medical equipment dealers and long term care facilities located throughout the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Europe. A significant portion of products sold to dealers, both foreign and domestic, are ultimately funded through government reimbursement programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. In addition, the company has seen significant shift in reimbursement to customers from managed care entities. As a consequence, changes in these programs can have an adverse impact on dealer liquidity and profitability. Credit losses are provided for in the financial statements. FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The following methods and assumptions were used by the company in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities: The carrying amount reported in the balance sheet for cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities approximates its fair value. Installment receivables: The carrying amount reported in the balance sheet for installment receivables approximates its fair value. The majority of the portfolio contains receivables with terms less than three years, of which a large concentration is due in less than one year. The interest rates associated with these receivables have not varied significantly over the past three years. Management believes that after consideration of the credit risk, the net book value of the installment receivables approximates market value. Long-term debt: The carrying amounts of the company's borrowings under its long-term revolving credit agreements approximate their fair value. Fair values for the company's senior notes are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, based on the company's current incremental borrowing rate for similar borrowing arrangements. Interest Rate Swaps: The company is a party to interest rate swap agreements with off-balance sheet risk which are entered into in the normal course of business to reduce exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. The agreements are with major financial institutions which are expected to fully perform under the terms of the agreements thereby mitigating the credit risk from the transactions. The agreements are contracts to exchange floating rate payments with fixed rate payments over the life of the agreements without the exchange of the underlying notional amounts. The notional amounts of such agreements are used to measure interest to be paid or received and do not represent the amount of exposure to credit loss. The amounts to be paid or received under the interest rate swap agreements are accrued consistent with the terms of the agreements and market interest rates. Fair value for the company's interest rate swaps are based on independent pricing models. Other investments: The company has made other investments in limited partnerships and non-marketable equity securities. These investments were acquired in private placements and there are no quoted market prices or stated rates of return. It is not practicable to estimate the fair value of these investments because of the limited information available and because of the significance of the cost to obtain an outside appraisal. The investments are carried at their cost of $21,838,000 in 2000 and $13,651,000 in 1999 and are accounted for using the cost method. The carrying amounts and fair values of the company's financial instruments at December 31, 2000 and 1999 are as follows: 2000 1999 ------ ------ Carrying Fair Carrying Fair Value Value Value Value -------- ------- -------- ------ (In thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $12,357 $12,357 $18,258 $18,258 Marketable securities 2,060 2,060 2,188 2,188 Installment receivables 69,567 69,567 93,390 93,390 Long-term debt (including current 386,514 381,649 443,532 430,936 maturities) Interest rate swaps (fair value liability) - (267) 1,105 - 49 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--Continued INVACARE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS--Continued Forward Contracts: The company operates internationally and as a result is exposed to foreign currency fluctuations. Specifically, the exposure includes intercompany loans, and third party sales or payments. In an attempt to reduce this exposure, foreign currency forward contracts are utilized and accounted for as hedging instruments. The company does not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. The gains and losses that result from the forward contracts are deferred and recognized when the offsetting gains and losses for the identified transactions are recognized. At December 31, 2000 and 1999, the gain/(loss) resulting from forward contracts was not material to the financial statements. The following table represents the fair value of all outstanding forward contracts at December 31, 2000 and 1999. The valuations are based on market rates. All forward contracts noted below mature before January, 2002 and January, 2001 respectively. December 31, 2000 Cost Market Value U.S. dollar (In thousands) (Buy)/Sell Gain/(Loss) (Buy)/Sell ---------------------------------------- --- ------------------ --------------------- --------------------- British pound $ 502 $ 9 $ 511 New Zealand dollar (8,753) 95 (8,658) Euro 13,035 979 14,014 Mexican Peso 3,344 (14) 3,330 December 31, 1999 Cost Market Value U.S. dollar (In thousands) (Buy)/Sell Gain/(Loss) (Buy)/Sell ---------------------------------------- --- ------------------ --------------------- --------------------- British pound $(331) $ (67) $(398) New Zealand dollar (12,054) (421) (12,475) German Mark 3,742 208 3,950 Australian dollar 144 3 147 Canadian dollar 5,049 (109) 4,940 French franc 2,857 157 3,014 Danish Kroner (275) 16 (259) NON-RECURRING AND UNUSUAL ITEMS In 2000, as a result of repaying EURO and DKK denominated debt, the company realized a non-recurring pre-tax foreign currency gain of approximately $20,130,000. The gain was offset by charges in the fourth quarter aggregating $8,700,000 related primarily to closing two distribution centers and a manufacturing plant ($3,700,000), severance costs due to staff reductions (nine individuals) primarily at the corporate office ($1,000,000) and costs associated with the settlement of litigation ($4,000,000). During 2000, $1,064,000 was utilized primarily for severance payments. In addition, during the fourth quarter, the company also increased its bad debt reserve impacting selling, general and administrative expenses by approximately $8,000,000. In 1999, the company announced non-recurring and unusual charges of $11,500,000 in the fourth quarter primarily related to the consolidation and integration of the operations of SMI and Invacare. The charges included reserves for employee severance ($3,000,000) and plant shutdowns and lease terminations ($4,400,000) and asset write-downs and other non-recurring items ($4,100,000). The personnel reductions and shut down of facilities are related to the integration of SMI and are required to obtain the expected synergies from the acquisition. Of these charges $2,400,000 have been utilized related employee severance, $2,000,000 have been utilized related to plant shutdown and lease termination, and $4,100,000 have been utilized related to asset write-downs and other non-recurring items. In addition, during the fourth quarter of 1999, the company also increased its bad debt reserve impacting selling, general and administrative expenses by approximately $3,300,000. The company anticipates all initiatives for which charges have been reported will be substantially completed in 2001. 50 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--Continued INVACARE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES SCHEDULE II -- VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS COL. A COL. B COL. C COL. D COL. E ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ADDITIONS Balance Charged Charged To Balance At To Other At Beginning Cost And Accounts Deductions- End Of Description Of Period Expenses Describe Describe Period (in thousands) Year Ended December 31, 2000 - ---------------------------- Deducted from asset accounts -- Allowance for doubtful accounts $21,434 $13,731 - $4,428(A) $30,737 Inventory obsolescence reserve 10,682 3,970 - 8,419(B) 6,233 Accrued warranty cost 7,758 7,446 - 7,287(B) 7,917 Accrued product liability 6,825 7,114 - 11,058(D) 2,881 Year Ended December 31, 1999 - ---------------------------- Deducted from asset accounts -- Allowance for doubtful accounts $10,985 $ 10,139 $1,550(C) $1,240(A) $21,434 Inventory obsolescence reserve 6,296 4,606 3,875(C) 4,095(B) 10,682 Accrued warranty cost 6,619 8,056 - 6,917(B) 7,758 Accrued product liability 6,946 3,247 - 3,368(D) 6,825 Year Ended December 31, 1998 - ---------------------------- Deducted from asset accounts -- Allowance for doubtful accounts $15,179 $ 3,390 $ 860(C) $8,444(A) $10,985 Inventory obsolescence reserve 4,787 3,269 298(C) 2,058(B) 6,296 Accrued warranty cost 6,385 6,183 - 5,949(B) 6,619 Accrued product liability 6,772 2,742 - 2,568(D) 6,946 NOTE (A)--Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries. NOTE (B)--Amounts written off or payments incurred. NOTE (C)--Amounts recorded due to acquisition of subsidiaries. NOTE (D)--Loss and loss adjustment. 51