________________________________________________________________________________ UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, DC 20549 FORM 10-Q Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2003 Commission file number 000-23092 NATIONAL DENTEX CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) MASSACHUSETTS 04-2762050 (State or Other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) Incorporation or Organization) 526 Boston Post Road, Wayland, MA 01778 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) (508) 358 - 4422 (Registrant's Telephone No., including Area Code) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes __X__ No _____ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes __X__ No _____ As of November 5, 2003, 3,429,244 shares of the registrant's Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, were outstanding. ________________________________________________________________________________ 1 NATIONAL DENTEX CORPORATION FORM 10-Q QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I. Financial Information Page ---- Item 1. Financial Statements: Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2002 and September 30, 2003 (Unaudited)................................................................... 3 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2002 (Unaudited) and 2003 (Unaudited).......................... 4 Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity for the nine month period ended September 30, 2003 (Unaudited)........................................ 5 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 (Unaudited) and 2003 (Unaudited)................................ 6 Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements............................... 7-9 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations...................................................................... 10-13 Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk................. 13 Item 4. Controls and Procedures................................................... 13 PART II. Other Information Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K........................................... 14 Signatures......................................................................... 15 Certifications of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer regarding facts and circumstances relating to quarterly reports.................... 16-17 2 NATIONAL DENTEX CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS December 31, September 30, 2002 2003 ------------ ------------ ASSETS (Unaudited) CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents..................................... $ 5,808,435 $ 3,779,658 Accounts receivable: Trade, less allowance of $307,000 in 2002 and $378,000 in 2003 10,041,989 10,877,326 Other....................................................... 442,154 338,874 Inventories of raw materials.................................. 5,558,316 5,480,532 Prepaid expenses.............................................. 2,178,002 2,196,178 Deferred tax asset, current................................... 270,829 266,232 ---------- ---------- Total current assets........................................ 24,299,725 22,938,800 ---------- ---------- PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT: Land and buildings............................................ 4,585,731 4,620,571 Leasehold and building improvements........................... 5,969,018 6,578,067 Laboratory equipment.......................................... 10,192,772 10,940,258 Furniture and fixtures........................................ 3,392,192 4,347,941 ---------- ---------- 24,139,713 26,486,837 Less-- Accumulated depreciation and amortization............ 12,613,976 13,750,257 ---------- ---------- Net property, plant and equipment........................... 11,525,737 12,736,580 ---------- ---------- OTHER ASSETS, net: Goodwill...................................................... 24,123,203 27,451,163 Non-competition agreements.................................... 2,640,657 2,603,118 Deferred tax asset, non-current............................... 186,895 70,107 Other assets.................................................. 3,040,654 3,648,224 ---------- ---------- Total other assets.......................................... 29,991,409 33,772,612 ---------- ---------- Total assets............................................... $65,816,871 $69,447,992 ========== ========== LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY ------------------------------------ CURRENT LIABILITIES: Accounts payable.............................................. $ 1,961,915 $ 1,928,715 Accrued liabilities: Payroll and employee benefits............................... 4,285,269 3,924,784 Current portion of deferred purchase price.................. 2,325,932 2,147,669 Other accrued expenses...................................... 227,922 237,968 ---------- ---------- Total current liabilities................................... 8,801,038 8,239,136 ---------- ---------- LONG-TERM LIABILITIES: Payroll and employee benefits................................. 1,525,903 1,831,115 Deferred purchase price....................................... 1,543,959 770,622 ---------- ---------- Total long-term liabilities................................. 3,069,862 2,601,737 ---------- ---------- COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: Preferred stock, $.01 par value Authorized -- 500,000 shares None issued and outstanding................................. -- -- Common stock, $.01 par value Authorized -- 8,000,000 shares Issued -- 3,665,209 shares at December 31, 2002 and 3,688,699 shares at September 30, 2003. Outstanding -- 3,403,009 shares at December 31, 2002 and 3,429,094 shares at September 30, 2003...................... 36,652 36,887 Paid-in capital............................................... 16,643,963 16,999,336 Retained earnings............................................. 42,430,900 46,689,834 Treasury stock at cost-- 262,200 shares at December 31, 2002 and 259,605 shares at September 30, 2003......................... (5,165,544) (5,118,938) ---------- ---------- Total stockholders' equity.................................. 53,945,971 58,607,119 ---------- ---------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity.................. $65,816,871 $69,447,992 ========== ========== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements. 3 NATIONAL DENTEX CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended -------------------------------- -------------------------------- September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, 2002 2003 2002 2003 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Net sales............................. $23,363,944 $24,357,436 $71,975,205 $73,504,568 Cost of goods sold.................... 14,054,277 14,788,311 42,146,476 44,074,722 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Gross profit........................ 9,309,667 9,569,125 29,828,729 29,429,846 Selling, general and administrative 7,144,247 7,579,712 21,831,777 22,451,874 expenses.............................. ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Operating income.................... 2,165,420 1,989,413 7,996,952 6,977,972 Other expense......................... 56,135 89,301 148,728 217,795 Interest income...................... 13,167 5,292 56,477 20,914 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Income before provision for income taxes 2,122,452 1,905,404 7,904,701 6,781,091 Provision for income taxes............ 820,070 628,440 3,161,880 2,522,157 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net income.......................... $ 1,302,382 $ 1,276,964 $ 4,742,821 $ 4,258,934 ========== ========== ========== ========== Net income per share - basic.......... $ .37 $ .37 $ 1.37 $ 1.25 ========== ========== ========== ========== Net income per share - diluted........ $ .37 $ .37 $ 1.32 $ 1.23 ========== ========== ========== ========== Weighted average shares outstanding - 3,475,133 3,427,748 3,468,316 3,417,508 basic................................. ========== ========== ========== ========== Weighted average shares outstanding - 3,541,391 3,496,824 3,585,799 3,463,547 diluted............................... ========== ========== ========== ========== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements. 4 NATIONAL DENTEX CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) Common Stock --------------------- Number of $.01 Par Paid-in Retained Treasury Shares Value Capital Earnings Stock Total ---------- -------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ BALANCE, December 31, 2002........ 3,665,209 $ 36,652 $ 16,643,963 $42,430,900 $(5,165,544) $ 53,945,971 Issuance of 6,840 shares of common stock under the stock option plans........... 6,840 68 93,479 -- -- 93,547 Issuance of 16,650 shares of common stock under the stock purchase plan.......... 16,650 167 260,494 -- -- 260,661 Issuance of 2,595 shares of treasury stock as director's fees -- -- 1,400 -- 46,606 48,006 Net income........................ -- -- -- 4,258,934 -- 4,258,934 ---------- --------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ BALANCE, September 30, 2003....... 3,688,699 $ 36,887 $ 16,999,336 $46,689,834 $(5,118,938) $ 58,607,119 ========== ========= ============ =========== =========== ============ The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements. 5 NATIONAL DENTEX CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) For the Nine Months Ended -------------------------------- September 30, September 30, 2002 2003 ------------- ------------- Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 4,742,821 $ 4,258,934 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities, net of effects of acquisitions: Depreciation and amortization............... 1,661,699 1,738,956 Deferred income taxes....................... (49,608) 121,385 Provision for bad debts..................... 19,012 77,797 Issuance of common stock as directors' fees. 64,083 48,006 Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions: Increase in accounts receivable............. (391,943) (263,697) (Increase) decrease in inventories.......... (292,224) 146,992 Increase in prepaid expenses................ (204,735) (18,176) Increase in other assets.................... (273,754) (700,158) Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities............................... (987,289) (528,293) --------- ---------- Net cash provided by operating activities... 4,288,062 4,881,746 --------- ---------- Cash flows from investing activities: Payment for acquisitions, net of cash acquired. (2,769,490) (3,883,570) Payment of deferred purchase price............. (1,860,625) (1,222,676) Additions to property, plant and equipment, net (1,670,590) (2,158,485) ---------- ----------- Net cash used in investing activities....... (6,300,705) (7,264,731) ---------- ----------- Cash flows from financing activities: Net proceeds from issuance of common stock..... 597,827 354,208 Repurchases of common stock.................... (424,000) -- -------- ------- Net cash provided by financing activities... 173,827 354,208 -------- ------- Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents........ (1,838,816) (2,028,777) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period. 6,378,026 5,808,435 ----------- ----------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of period....... $ 4,539,210 $ 3,779,658 =========== =========== Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Interest paid.................................. $ 8,488 $ 8,509 =========== =========== Income taxes paid.............................. $ 3,299,900 $ 1,950,920 =========== =========== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements. 6 NATIONAL DENTEX CORPORATION Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements September 30, 2003 (1) Interim Financial Statements - -------------------------------- The accompanying unaudited financial statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for fair presentation of the results of operations for the periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted as allowed by Form 10-Q. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2002 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K. (2) Earnings Per Share - ---------------------- In accordance with the disclosure requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard ("SFAS") No. 128, "Earnings per Share," basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding and diluted earnings per share reflects the dilutive effect of stock options. The weighted average number of shares outstanding, the dilutive effects of outstanding stock options, and the shares under option plans that were anti-dilutive for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2003 are as follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2002 2003 2002 2003 Weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings --------- -------- ------- ------- per share calculation................................................. 3,475,133 3,427,748 3,468,316 3,417,508 Incremental shares under option plans................................. 66,258 69,076 117,483 46,039 Weighed average number of shares used in diluted earnings per --------- --------- --------- --------- share calculation..................................................... 3,541,391 3,496,824 3,585,799 3,463,547 Shares under option plans excluded in computation of diluted ========= ========= ========= ========= earnings per share due to anti-dilutive effects....................... 126,050 117,010 115,750 474,185 ========= ========= ========= ======== The following table summarizes options that were outstanding but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the options' exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2002 2003 2002 2003 ---- ---- ---- ---- Number of Options for Common Shares 126,050 117,010 115,750 474,185 Range of Exercise Prices $21.88-$24.68 $21.88-$24.88 $24.68-$24.88 $20.05-$24.88 Expire Through: May 2012 January 2013 May 2012 January 2013 7 Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (3) Stock-Based Compensation - ---------------------------- Effective January 1, 1996, the Company adopted the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation." The Company has elected to continue to account for employee stock options at intrinsic value, in accordance with Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," with disclosure of the effects of fair value accounting on net income and earnings per share on a pro forma basis. Had compensation costs for the Company's 1992 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "LTIP"), 2001 Stock Plan and 1992 Employees' Stock Purchase Plan ("The Stock Purchase Plan") been determined consistent with SFAS No. 123, the Company's net income and earnings per share would have been reduced to the following pro forma amounts: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2002 2003 2002 2003 -------- ------- -------- ------- Stock-based employee compensation expense, as $ $ $ $ reported ========= ========= ========== ========== Net income, as reported: $1,302,382 $1,276,964 $4,742,821 $4,258,934 Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects 98,742 83,708 312,087 254,336 ------ ------ ------- ------- Pro forma net income $1,203,640 $1,193,256 $4,430,734 $4,004,598 ========= ========= ========= ========= Earnings per share: As reported, basic $ .37 $ .37 $ 1.37 $ 1.25 Pro forma, basic .35 .35 1.28 1.17 As reported, diluted .37 .37 1.32 1.23 Pro forma, diluted .34 .34 1.24 1.16 (4) Recent Accounting Pronouncements - ------------------------------------ In November 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued FASB Interpretation No. 45, "Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others"("FIN 45"). FIN 45 elaborates on the disclosures to be made by a guarantor in its interim and quarterly financial statements about its obligations under certain guarantees that it has issued. It also clarifies that a guarantor is required to recognize, at the inception of a guarantee, a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing the guarantee. FIN 45 does not prescribe a specific approach for subsequently measuring the guarantor's recognized liability over the term of the related guarantee. This Interpretation also incorporates, without change, the guidance in FASB Interpretation No. 34, "Disclosure of Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others", which is being superseded. The Company has adopted the disclosure provisions of this pronouncement as of December 31, 2002. The adoption of the financial provisions of this pronouncement on January 1, 2003 did not have a material effect on the results of the Company. In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46,"Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities" ("FIN 46"). This interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, "Consolidated Financial Statements," addresses consolidation by business enterprises of variable interest entities that possess certain characteristics. FIN 46 requires that if a business enterprise has a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity, the assets, liabilities, and results of the activities of the variable interest entity must be included in the consolidated financial statements with those of the business enterprise. FIN 46 applies immediately to variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003 and to variable interest entities in which an enterprise obtains an interest after that date. The Company does not have any ownership in any variable interest entities as of September 30, 2003. The Company will apply the consolidation requirement of FIN 46 in future periods if the Company should own any interest in any variable interest entity. In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, "Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities", which amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts and for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133. SFAS No. 149 is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003 except for the provisions that were cleared by the FASB in prior pronouncements. The adoption of SFAS No. 149 did not have a material effect on the results of the Company. In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, "Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity". SFAS No. 150 requires the classification of certain financial instruments, previously classified within the equity section of the balance sheet, to be included in liabilities. SFAS No. 150 is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003 and at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003 for all other financial instruments. The adoption of SFAS No. 150 on July 1, 2003 did not have a material effect on the results of the Company. 8 (5) Legal Proceedings - --------------------- The Company is involved from time to time in litigation incidental to its business. Management believes that the outcome of current litigation will not have a material adverse effect upon the operations or financial condition of the Company and will not disrupt the normal operations of the Company. (6) Acquisitions - ---------------- The Company's acquisition strategy is to consolidate within the dental laboratory industry and use its financial and operational synergies to create a competitive advantage. Certain factors, such as the laboratory's technical skills, reputation in the local marketplace and value as a going concern result in the recognition of goodwill. In connection with these acquisitions, the Company has incurred certain deferred purchase costs relating to non-competition agreements with certain individuals, ranging over periods of 2 to 10 years, and other contingent payments provided for in the purchase agreements. Effective July 1, 2003 the Company acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Salem Dental Laboratory, Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio ("Salem"). Results from Salem have been reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. Effective September 1, 2003 the Company acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Top Quality Partials, Inc. of Apopka, Florida ("Top Quality"). Results from Top Quality have been reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. During the nine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2003, the Company acquired the following dental laboratory operations: Fox Dental............................................................. April, 2002 Valencia Dental........................................................ July, 2002 E&S Dental............................................................. August, 2002 Nobilium Dental Laboratory............................................. March, 2003 Accurate Dental Laboratory, Inc........................................ April, 2003 Dan Jackson Laboratory................................................. April, 2003 Salem Dental Laboratory, Inc........................................... July, 2003 Top Quality Partials, Inc.............................................. September, 2003 These acquisitions have been reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition and have been accounted for as purchases in accordance with SFAS No.141, "Business Combinations". The total purchase price of $3,457,000 in 2002 and $3,945,000 in 2003 has been allocated to the acquired assets and liabilities based on preliminary estimates of their fair values, which are subject to revision. The following pro forma operating results of the Company assume the acquisitions had been made as of January 1, 2002. Such information includes adjustments to reflect additional depreciation, non-compete amortization and interest expense and is not necessarily indicative of what the results of operations would actually have been, or the results of operations to be expected in future periods. Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2002 2003 ------------ -------------- (unaudited) Net sales.......... $77,590,000 $76,312,000 Net income......... 5,092,000 4,508,000 Net income per share: Basic $ 1.47 $ 1.32 Diluted $ 1.42 $ 1.30 (7) Subsequent Events - --------------------- Effective October 1, 2003, the Company acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Midtown Dental Lab, Inc. of Charleston, West Virginia ("Midtown"). Midtown reported sales of approximately $3,000,000 in its last fiscal year ended December 31, 2002. 9 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding the Company's future financial performance, acquisition activity, and marketplace competitiveness, that are based on the Company's current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry and markets in which National Dentex operates. The statements contained in this release are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed in such forward-looking statements. Important factors that may affect future operating and financial results include the timing, duration and effects of adverse changes in overall economic conditions, the Company's ability to acquire and successfully operate additional laboratories, governmental regulation of health care, trends in the dental industry towards managed care, increases in labor, benefits and material costs, product development risks, technological innovations, and other risks indicated from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Liquidity and Capital Resources The Company's working capital decreased from $15,499,000 at December 31, 2002 to $14,700,000 at September 30, 2003. Cash and equivalents decreased $2,028,000 from $5,808,000 at December 31, 2002 to $3,780,000 at September 30, 2003. Operating activities provided $4,882,000 in cash flow for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 compared to $4,288,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2002. Cash outflows related to dental laboratory acquisitions including deferred purchase price payments totaled $5,106,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 compared to $4,630,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2002. The Company maintains a financing agreement (the "Agreement") with Citizens Bank of Massachusetts (the "Bank"). The Agreement includes revolving lines of credit of $4,000,000 and $8,000,000. The interest rate on both revolving lines of credit is the prime rate minus 0.5% or the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") rate plus 1.5%, at the Company's option. Both revolving lines of credit mature on June 30, 2004. The Company is currently reviewing options to extend and expand its current credit facility to support its acquisition strategy. A commitment fee of one eighth of 1% is payable on the unused amount of both lines of credit. At September 30, 2003, the full principal amount was available to the Company under both revolving lines of credit. The Agreement requires compliance with certain covenants, including the maintenance of specified net worth and other financial ratios. As of September 30, 2003, the Company was in compliance with these covenants. Management believes that cash flow from operations and existing financing will be sufficient to meet contemplated operating and capital requirements, including costs associated with anticipated acquisitions, if any, in the foreseeable future. Commitments and Contingencies The following table represents a list of the Company's contractual obligations and commitments as of September 30, 2003: Payments Due By Period Less Than Greater Than Total 1 Year 1 - 3 Years 4 - 5 Years 5 Years ----------------------------------------------- ---------- Operating Leases: Real Estate.................... $ 8,373,000 $ 1,878,000 $4,173,000 $ 1,004,000 $ 1,318,000 Vehicles....................... 842,000 553,000 289,000 - - Equipment...................... 188,000 105,000 75,000 8,000 - Laboratory Purchase Obligations... 2,919,000 2,148,000 771,000 - - ---------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL $12,322,000 $ 4,684,000 $5,308,000 $ 1,012,000 $ 1,318,000 ================================================================ The laboratory purchase obligations totaling $2,919,000 above are classified as deferred acquisition costs and are presented in the liability section of the balance sheet. The Company is committed under various non-cancelable operating lease agreements covering its office space and dental laboratory facilities, vehicles and certain equipment. Certain of these leases also require the Company to pay maintenance, repairs, insurance and related taxes. The Company, as sponsor of the National Dentex Corporation Dollars Plus Plan, (the "Plan"), a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, is preparing to file a retroactive plan amendment under the Internal Revenue Service's Voluntary 10 Correction Program to clarify the definition of compensation in the Plan. The Company and its ERISA counsel believe this issue will be favorably resolved and that the Plan will retain its tax-qualified status. Results of Operations The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the percentage of net sales represented by certain items in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2002 2003 2002 2003 ---------------------- ---------------------- Net sales........................... 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Cost of goods sold.................. 60.2 60.7 58.6 60.0 ------ ----- ------ ----- Gross profit........................ 39.8 39.3 41.4 40.0 Selling, general and administrative expenses............................ 30.6 31.1 30.3 30.5 ----- ----- ------ ------ Operating income.................... 9.2 8.2 11.1 9.5 Other expense....................... 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.3 Interest income..................... 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 Income before provision for income taxes 9.1 7.8 11.0 9.2 Provision for income taxes.......... 3.5 2.6 4.4 3.4 ------ ------ ------ -------- Net income.......................... 5.6% 5.2% 6.6% 5.8% ======= ======= ====== ======= Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 Compared with Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002 Net Sales For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, net sales increased $1,529, 000 or 2.1% over the prior year. Net sales increased by approximately $2,150,000, or 3.0%, as a result of acquisitions, measured by business at dental laboratories owned less than one year. Net sales declined approximately $621,000, a decline of 0.9%, at dental laboratories owned for both the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and the comparable nine months ended September 30, 2002. Management believes that both the Company's revenues and industry revenues, particularly in the crown and bridge product lines, have generally slowed in the current economy as many patients and dentists have postponed optimal treatment plans in favor of less expensive temporary alternatives. Cost of Goods Sold The Company's cost of goods sold increased by $1,928,000 or 4.6% in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2002. As a percentage of sales, cost of goods sold increased from 58.6% to 60.0%. The increase was primarily attributable to increased labor and benefit costs. Relatively flat sales caused continued overcapacity while higher than expected medical insurance claims reduced the Company's gross profit. As a result of overcapacity and continuing economic uncertainty, the Company has taken steps to reduce labor and related expenses beginning in July 2003. The Company has also taken steps to contain increasing medical claim costs by restructuring the Company's medical plan, effective September 1, 2003. These efforts are expected to continue to improve operating results for the remainder of the year. Increased capacity also led to higher overhead costs as a percentage of sales. Finally, materials costs as a percentage of sales were slightly lower than the comparable nine-month period ended September 30, 2002 due to the Company's selling price increases and a more stable metal market influenced by declines in the cost of palladium, a component of most dental alloys. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Operating expenses, which consist of selling, delivery and administrative expenses both at the laboratory and corporate level, increased by $620,000, or 2.8%, over the comparable nine month period ended September 30, 2002. During the same period, operating expenses increased as a percentage of net sales from 30.3% in 2002 to 30.5% in 2003. Selling costs declined by approximately $190,000 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2002, primarily due to a planned reduction in marketing expenditures related to "The NDX Reliance Program". These costs were higher in the nine months ended September 30, 2002 since expenditures related to the initial launch of the program were incurred at that time. Other administrative expenses at both laboratory and corporate levels, when combined, increased $1,171,000. In addition to the added administrative costs from recent acquisitions, the Company continued to invest in its field management and sales management teams. Expenses related to the Company's Laboratory Incentive Compensation Plan declined by approximately $319,000, generally as a result of lower laboratory profitability. 11 Operating Income As a result of the factors discussed above, which include relatively flat sales growth, increases in labor and medical insurance costs, and investments in the expansion of the Company's management team, coupled with the current economic climate, the Company's operating income declined by $1,019,000 to $6,978,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 from $7,997,000 for the comparable nine months ended September 30, 2002. As a percentage of net sales, operating income declined from 11.1% in 2002 to 9.5% for 2003. Interest Income Interest income decreased by $36,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 from 2002. The decrease was primarily due to lower interest rates. Provision for Income Taxes The provision for income taxes decreased to $2,522,000 in 2003 from $3,162,000 in 2002. This $640,000 decrease was the result of decreased income and a lower effective tax rate. The 40.0% effective tax rate for 2002 decreased to 37.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to more accurately reflect the Company's expected 2003 tax rate. The Company has recently entered into a consent agreement with the Internal Revenue Service regarding the treatment of contingent payments made in connection with its acquisitions of dental laboratories. The result of that agreement has favorably impacted the Company's current year tax provision. Net Income As a result of all of the factors discussed above, net income decreased to $4,259,000 or $1.23 per share on a diluted basis in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 from $4,743,000 or $1.32 per share on a diluted basis in the nine months ended September 30, 2002. Three Months Ended September 30, 2003 Compared with Three Months Ended September 30, 2002 Net Sales For the three months ended September 30, 2003, net sales increased $993,000 or 4.3% from the prior year. Net sales increased by approximately $815,000, or 3.5%, as a result of acquisitions, measured by business at dental laboratories owned less than one year. Net sales increased approximately $178,000, an increase of 0.8%, at dental laboratories owned for both the three months ended September 30, 2003 and the comparable three months ended September 30, 2002. The increase was primarily attributable to an additional business day in the quarter ended September 30, 2003. Cost of Goods Sold The Company's cost of goods sold increased by $734,000 or 5.2% in the three months ended September 30, 2003 compared with the three months ended September 30, 2002. As a percentage of sales, for reasons comparable to the nine-month period discussed above, cost of goods sold increased from 60.2% to 60.7%. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Operating expenses, which consist of selling, delivery and administrative expenses both at the laboratory and corporate level, increased by $435,000, or 6.1%, from the comparable three month period ended September 30, 2002. During the same period, operating expenses as a percentage of sales increased to 31.1% from 30.6 %, primarily due to increased medical insurance costs. .Selling costs were unchanged compared to the three months ended September 30, 2002. Increases in administrative expenses at the laboratory level as well as an increase in expenses related to the Company's Laboratory Incentive Compensation Plan also contributed to the increase in operating expenses. Operating Income As a result of the factors discussed above, and for reasons comparable to the nine-month period discussed above, the Company's operating income declined by $176,000 to $1,989,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2003 from $2,165,000 for the comparable three months ended September 30, 2002. As a percentage of net sales, operating income declined from 9.2% in 2002 to 8.2% for 2003. 12 Interest Income Interest income decreased by $8,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2003 from 2002. The decrease was primarily due to lower interest rates and decreased investment principal. Provision for Income Taxes The provision for income taxes decreased to $628,000, or 33.0% in 2003 from $820,000, or 38.6% in 2002. The decrease was for reasons comparable to the nine-month period discussed above. Net Income As a result of all of the factors discussed above, net income decreased to $1,277,000 or $.37 per share on a diluted basis in the third quarter of 2003 from $1,302,000 or $.37 per share on a diluted basis in the third quarter of 2002. Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk The Company's market risk exposure includes potential price volatility of commodities used by the Company in its manufacturing processes. The Company purchases dental alloys that contain gold, palladium and other precious metals. The Company has not participated in hedging transactions. The Company has relied on pricing practices that attempt to pass increased costs on to the customer, in conjunction with materials substitution strategies. Item 4. Controls and Procedures (a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer, or CEO, and Chief Financial Officer, or CFO, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act) as of September 30, 2003. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance of achieving their objectives, and our management necessarily applied its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on this evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that, as of September 30, 2003, our disclosure controls and procedures were (1) designed to ensure that material information relating to us, including our consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to our CEO and CFO by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report was being prepared and (2) effective, in that they provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms. (b) Changes in Internal Controls. No change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act) occurred during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2003 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. 13 PART II. Other Information Item 1. Legal Proceedings: The Company is involved from time to time in litigation incidental to its business. Management believes that the outcome of current litigation will not have a material adverse effect upon the operations or financial condition of the Company and will not disrupt the normal operations of the Company. Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds: Not Applicable Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities: Not Applicable Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders: Not Applicable Item 5. Other Information: Not Applicable Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K: (a) Exhibits Exhibit 31.1 Certification of CEO pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Exhibit 31.2 Certification of CFO pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Exhibit 32.1 Certification of CEO pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Exhibit 32.2 Certification of CFO pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. (b) Reports on Form 8-K On October 23, 2003, the Company furnished a Current Report on Form 8-K under Item 9, pursuant to Item 12 containing a press release announcing the Company's financial results for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2003. 14 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. NATIONAL DENTEX CORPORATION Registrant November 10, 2003 /s/ DAVID L. BROWN By:......................... David L. Brown President, CEO and Director (Principal Executive Officer) November 10, 2003 /s/ RICHARD F. BECKER, JR. By:................................ Richard F. Becker, Jr. Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) 15