For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004
Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

Form 10-KSB

 


 

(Mark One)

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

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004

 

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

 

For the transition period from              to             

 

Commission file number 000-30885

 


 

Retractable Technologies, Inc.

(Name of small business issuer in its charter )

 


 

Texas   75-2599762

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

511 Lobo Lane

Little Elm, Texas

  75068-0009
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Issuer’s telephone number (972) 294-1010

 


 

Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

 

Title of each class


 

Name of each exchange on which registered


Common   The American Stock Exchange

 

Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:

 

Preferred Stock
(Title of Class)

 


 

Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 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  ¨

 

Check if there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item 405 of Regulation S-B contained in this form and no disclosure will be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-KSB or any amendment to this Form 10-KSB.  ¨

 

State issuer’s revenues for its most recent fiscal year. $21,135,943

 

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of a specified date within the past 60 days. (See definition of affiliate in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.) The aggregate market value of the common equity held by non-affiliates is $36,637,912 which was computed with reference to the closing price as of March 1, 2005.

 

(ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)

 

Check whether the issuer has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.    Yes  ¨    No  ¨

 

(APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE REGISTRANTS)

 

State the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common equity, as of the latest practicable date. As of March 1, 2005 there were 23,204,498 shares of our Common Stock issued and outstanding.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

None except exhibits

 

Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format (Check one):    Yes  ¨    No  x

 



Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page

PART I

    

Item 1.

  

Description of Business

   1

Item 2.

  

Description of Property

   7

Item 3.

  

Legal Proceedings

   8

Item 4.

  

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   8

PART II

    

Item 5.

  

Market for Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

   8

Item 6.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation

   9

Item 7.

  

Financial Statements

   F-1

Item 8.

  

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

   17

Item 8A.

  

Controls and Procedures

   17

Item 8B.

  

Other Information

   17

PART III

    

Item 9.

  

Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters, and Control Persons; Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act

   17

Item 10.

  

Executive Compensation

   23

Item 11.

  

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

   25

Item 12.

  

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

   28

Item 13.

  

Exhibits

   28

Item 14.

  

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

   30

SIGNATURES

   31

 

-i-


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Index to Financial Statements

PART I

 

Item 1. Description of Business

 

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

 

General Description

 

We design, develop, manufacture, and market innovative patented safety needle devices for the healthcare industry. Our VanishPoint® products utilize a unique friction ring mechanism patented by Thomas J. Shaw, our Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer. VanishPoint® products are designed specifically to prevent needlestick injuries and to prevent reuse. The friction ring mechanism permits the automated retraction of the syringe needle into the barrel of the syringe, directly from the patient, after delivery of the medication is completed. The VanishPoint® blood collection tube holder utilizes the same mechanism to retract the needle after blood has been drawn from the patient. Closure of an attached end cap of the blood collection tube holder causes the needle to retract directly from the patient into the closed tube holder. Advantages of our products include protection from needlestick injuries, prevention of cross contamination through reuse, and reduction of disposal and other associated costs. Federal regulation now requires the use of safe needle devices. We have an exclusive license from Thomas J. Shaw, our President and Chief Executive Officer, for the patent rights for our safety needle products.

 

We and Thomas J. Shaw entered into a Technology License Agreement dated effective as of the 23rd day of June 1995, whereby Mr. Shaw granted us a worldwide exclusive license to manufacture, market, sell, and distribute ‘Licensed Products’ and ‘Improvements’ until the expiration of the last to expire of the last ‘Licensed Patents’ unless sooner terminated under certain conditions without right to sublicense. ‘Licensed Products’, ‘Improvements’, and ‘Licensed Patents’ are all terms that are extensively defined in the Technology License Agreement. In exchange, we paid Mr. Shaw a $500,000 initial licensing fee and a 5 percent royalty on gross sales after returns of ‘Licensed Products’. See “Patents and Proprietary Rights” for a more detailed discussion. Our goal is to become a leading provider of automated retraction safety devices.

 

Development of the Company

 

While owning and operating Checkmate Engineering, a sole proprietorship, Thomas J. Shaw, our President and Chief Executive Officer, developed and patented the idea and early prototypes of the syringe that were to become the VanishPoint® safety syringe. On May 9, 1994, the Company was incorporated in Texas to design, develop, manufacture, and market medical safety devices for the healthcare industry.

 

We received our ISO 9001:1994 recertification in July 1998, and the VanishPoint® syringe received its CE Mark on July 31, 1998. In July 2001, we received re-certification to ISO 9001:1994 and the CE Mark. In August 2004, we received certification to ISO 13485:2000, CAN/CSA:13485:1996 and EN 13485.2000. These standards replace the ISO 9001:1994 for Quality Management Systems. The 13485:2000 standard is a model created by the International Organization for Standardization (“ISO”), an international agency consisting of almost 100 member countries that provides guidance in the development and implementation of an effective quality management system through a series of five international standards. This model is used by organizations to certify their quality system from initial design and development of a desired product or service through production, installation, and servicing. The CE mark allows us to sell our products in Europe.

 

We have been manufacturing and marketing our products into the market place since 1997. In May 2000 we signed a National Marketing and Distribution Agreement with Abbott Laboratories. We

 

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terminated this agreement in October 2003. Our products have been and continue to be distributed nationally through numerous distributors. However, we have been blocked from access to the market by exclusive marketing practices engaged in by Becton Dickinson and Company, Inc. (“BD”) who dominates our market.

 

We continue to attempt to gain access to the market through our sales efforts and our innovative technology. We are focusing on methods of upgrading our manufacturing capability and efficiency in order to enable us to offer our technology at a reduced price. We believe our current capitalization provides the resources necessary to implement these changes and greatly improve our manufacturing capacity and efficiency, thereby reducing our unit cost.

 

We have not been involved in any bankruptcy or similar proceedings and have not merged or consolidated a significant amount of assets other than in the ordinary course of business.

 

BUSINESS OF RTI

 

Principal Products

 

Our products with Notice of Substantial Equivalence to the FDA include 1cc tuberculin, insulin, and allergy antigen VanishPoint® syringes; 3cc, 5cc, and 10cc VanishPoint® syringes; and the VanishPoint® blood collection tube holder and small tube adapter. We also have begun selling allergy trays with 25 syringes per tray. The tray design eliminates the need to individually unwrap each syringe. Our products (without Notice of Substantial Equivalence to the FDA) also include a dental syringe, a butterfly IV, a self retracting IV catheter introducer, and an auto-disable syringe. From 1999 to 2001 and in 2003 ECRI (formerly known as the Emergency Care Research Institute), a recognized authority in evaluating medical devices, awarded the VanishPoint® syringe and blood collection tube holder its highest possible rating. The VanishPoint® blood collection tube holder received Risk and Insurance magazine’s 1997 “Top of the Line” Award for excellence.

 

Our 1cc VanishPoint® tuberculin, insulin, and allergy antigen syringes which reached the market in the first quarter of 2001, are being produced in various needle lengths and gauges and packaging styles. The 3cc VanishPoint® syringe reached the market in the first quarter of 1997. It is available in various needle lengths and gauges. The 5cc and 10cc VanishPoint® syringes are being produced in various needle lengths and gauges. The manufacture and sale of medical devices entails an inherent risk of liability in the event of product failure or claim of harm caused by the product’s operation.

 

Market Overview

 

The VanishPoint® syringe and needle device products are sold to and used by healthcare providers (primarily in the United States with increasing sales outside the United States), which include, but are not limited to, acute care hospitals, alternate care facilities, doctors’ offices, clinics, emergency centers, surgical centers, convalescent hospitals, Veterans Administration facilities, military organizations, public health facilities, and prisons.

 

The syringe and needle device market continues to be a market in transition. The nature of the products comprising the market is changing from standard to safety devices. The impetus for the change to safety devices is the risk that is carried with each needlestick injury which includes the transmission of over 20 bloodborne pathogens, including the human immunodeficiency virus (“HIV,” which causes AIDS), hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Because of the occupational and public health hazards posed by conventional disposable syringes, public health policy makers, domestic organizations and government agencies have been involved in the effort to get more effective safety needle products to healthcare workers. Federal legislation was signed into law on November 6, 2000, by former President Clinton. This legislation, which became effective for most states on April 12, 2001, now requires safety needle products be used for the vast majority of procedures.

 

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Marketing and Distribution

 

Under the current supply chain system in the U.S. acute care market, the vast majority of decisions relating to the contracting for and purchase of medical supplies are made by the representatives of group purchasing organizations (“GPOs”) rather than the end-users of the product (nurses, doctors, and testing personnel). The GPOs and manufacturers often enter into long-term exclusive contracts which can prohibit entry in the marketplace by competitors. According to “The Role of Group Purchasing Organizations in the US Health Care System,” a report prepared by Muse & Associates for the Health Industry Group Purchasing Association (“HIGPA”), the potential hospital marketplace for medical/surgical equipment and supplies in 1998 and 1999 was $32.8 billion and $34.1 billion, respectively. According to information posted on HIGPA’s website about 72 percent of these hospital expenditures are channeled through GPOs. In the needle and syringe market, the market share leader, BD, has utilized, among other things, long-term exclusive contracts which have restricted our entry into the market.

 

We distribute our products throughout the United States and its territories through general line and specialty distributors. We also utilize international distributors. We have developed a national direct marketing network in order to market our products to health care customers and their purchaser representatives. Our marketers make calls on target markets that are users of syringes and blood collection tube holders. Our marketers make contact with all of the departments that affect the decision-making process for safety products, including the purchasing agents. They call on acute care and alternate care sites and talk directly with the decision-makers of these facilities. We employ trained clinicians, including registered nurses and/or medical technologists, that educate healthcare providers and healthcare workers on the use of safety devices through exhibits at related tradeshows and publications of relevant articles in trade journals and magazines. These nurses provide clinical support to customers. In addition to marketing our products, the network demonstrates the safety and cost effectiveness of the VanishPoint® automated retraction products to customers.

 

We have numerous agreements with organizations for the distribution of our products in foreign markets. Sales to these markets increased in 2004. The total population of Western Europe exceeds 310 million, and the recognition for the urgency of safe needle devices in parts of Europe has echoed the United States model. In France, England, Germany, and Italy, organized healthcare worker unions have taken action to force hospitals and government agencies to place safety as a priority. Regions within Asia and Africa are also recognizing the need for our products. In 2004, we were awarded a federal contract to supply syringes to five African countries. Even though the contract was less than $1,000,000, the Company is hopeful that the contract will provide increased access to this federal program.

 

Key components of our strategy to increase our market share are to: (a) focus on methods of upgrading our manufacturing capability and efficiency in order to enable us to offer products at a reduced price; (b) continue marketing emphasis in the U.S. which has implemented the requirements outlined by safe needle legislation; (c) continue to add Veterans Administration facilities, health departments, emergency medical services, federal prisons, long-term care and home healthcare facilities as customers; (d) educate healthcare providers, insurers, healthcare workers, government agencies, government officials, and the general public on the reduction of risk and the cost effectiveness afforded by our VanishPoint® products; (e) supply product through GPOs and Integrated Delivery Networks where possible; (f) consider possibilities for future licensing agreements and joint venture agreements for the manufacture and distribution of safety products in the United States and abroad; (g) introduce new products; and (h) continue to increase international sales.

 

Status of Publicly Announced Products

 

We have patented and are in the process of developing additional safety needle products. Such products include a dental syringe, winged butterfly IV, a catheter introducer and an auto-disable syringe. Our limited access to the market has slowed the introduction of these products into the market.

 

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Competition

 

We believe VanishPoint® syringes continue to be the most effective safety syringes in today’s market. Our syringes include passive safety activation, require less disposal space, and are activated while in the patient.

 

Founded in 1897, BD is headquartered in New Jersey. BD’s safety-engineered syringe and needle products sales accounted for approximately 15 percent of BD’s total 2003 sales. BD currently manufactures the SafetyLok, a syringe that utilizes a tubular plastic sheath that must be manually slid over the needle after an injection, and the SafetyGlide, a syringe which utilizes a hinged lever to cover the needle tip. BD also manufactures a safety blood collection needle that utilizes the Eclipse needle cover. BD’s “Vacutainer®” blood collection products are commonly used as industry jargon to refer to blood collection products in general. BD manufactures a 3cc and 1cc retracting needle product based on a license agreement with Med-Design. The impact of BD’s new Integra syringe is yet to be determined. However, at this time, it does not offer a full product line and cannot be used with highly viscous medication due to leakage (as described on their labels).

 

Sherwood was acquired by Tyco International Ltd., a company headquartered in Bermuda. Sherwood manufactures the Monoject®, a safety syringe that utilizes a sheath similar to the BD SafetyLok syringe. Sherwood also manufactures the Magellan safety syringe, a product similar to the BD SafetyGlide.

 

Founded in 1974, Terumo was the first company to sell disposable syringes in Japan. Today Terumo manufactures standard syringes and blood collection tube holders, operates internationally, and has sales in some 120 countries.

 

Both BD’s SafetyLok and Sherwood’s Monoject® safety syringes require the use of two hands and several extra steps to activate the tubular plastic shield which must be slid and locked into place to protect the needle. In contrast, use of the VanishPoint® syringe is identical to that of a standard syringe until the end of an injection, when the automated retraction mechanism retracts the needle directly from the patient safely into the barrel of the syringe. This allows both hands to remain safely out of harm’s way. BD’s Integra operates in a similar way but may have to be removed from the patient in order to have retraction of the needle occur.

 

BD and Sherwood have controlling market share, greater financial resources, larger and more established sales, marketing and distribution organizations, and greater market influence, including the long-term and/or exclusive contracts with GPOs described earlier. The current conditions have restricted competition in the needle and syringe market. BD may be able to use its resources to improve its products through research or acquisitions or develop new products, which may compete more effectively with our products. We continue to attempt to gain access to the market through our sales efforts and our innovative technology. We are focusing on methods of upgrading our manufacturing capability and efficiency in order to enable us to compete by offering our technology at a reduced price. We believe our current capitalization provides the resources necessary to implement these changes and greatly improve our manufacturing capacity and efficiency, thereby reducing our unit cost.

 

In addition to BD and Sherwood, there are companies that manufacture needlestick injury prevention products that our products will compete against for market share. Among those companies are: ICU Medical, Smiths Industries Medical Systems (“SIMS”), and Sterimatic, Ltd. ICU Medical utilizes a recessed internal hollow blunt safety technology where the internal blunt is advanced and locked into place beyond the sharp outer tip of the needle. SIMS utilizes a patented sheath whereupon completion of the procedure, the healthcare worker presses the sheath against a hard surface to lock the needle into the sheath. Sterimatic, Ltd. manufactures a syringe with a plastic sleeve that covers the needle after injection.

 

Our competitive strengths include that the VanishPoint® syringe is one of four syringes given the highest possible rating by ECRI (formerly Emergency Care Research Institute). Our blood collection tube holder is one of only two safety products given the highest possible rating. Our products also have an

 

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advantage over non-retracting safety needles because minimal training and changes to practitioners’ normal routines are required. Use of our products also prohibits unfortunate and improper reuse. Several factors could materially and beneficially affect the marketability of our products. Demand could be increased by existing legislation and other legislative efforts. Outsourcing arrangements such as our agreement with Double Dove have increased our manufacturing capacity with little or no capital outlay and provides a competitive cost.

 

Our competitive weaknesses include our current lack of market share (less than 1 percent) because two well-established companies control most of the market. Our competitive position is also weakened by the method that providers use for making purchasing decisions and the fact that our initial price per unit may be higher. However, our price per unit is competitive or even lower than the competition once all the costs incurred during the life cycle of a syringe are considered. Such life cycle costs include disposal costs, testing and treatment costs for needlestick injuries, and treatment for contracted illnesses through needlestick injuries. Demand for our products could decrease due to the introduction of the Integra, a retractable syringe by BD, which dominates the market, has a wider range of product offerings, and more capital resources.

 

Principal Suppliers and Sources of Raw Materials

 

We purchase most of our product components from single suppliers, including needle adhesives, and packaging materials. There are multiple sources of these materials. We own the molds that are used to manufacture the plastic components of our products. Our suppliers include Magor Mold, Inc., APEC, Multivac, Inc., Exacto Spring Corporation, Sterigenics, Nipro Corporation and ISPG. We began to receive shipment of product under our agreement with Double Dove, a Chinese manufacturer, in 2004.

 

Dependence on Major Customers

 

One distributor accounted for 16.6% of our unit sales in 2004. We have numerous other distributors that sell our products in the U.S. and internationally.

 

Patents and Proprietary Rights

 

Thomas J. Shaw and the Company entered into a Technology License Agreement dated effective as of the 23rd day of June, 1995, whereby Mr. Shaw granted us “… a worldwide exclusive license and right under the ‘Licensed Patents’ and ‘Information’, to manufacture, market, sell and distribute ‘Licensed Products’ and ‘Improvements’ without right to sublicense and subject to such nonexclusive rights as may be possessed by the Federal Government…” ‘Licensed Patents’, ‘Information’, ‘Licensed Products’, and ‘Improvements’ are all defined extensively in the Technology License Agreement. We may enter into sublicensing arrangements with Mr. Shaw’s written approval of the terms and conditions of the licensing agreement. The ‘Licensed Products’ include all retractable syringes and retractable fluid sampling devices and components thereof, assembled or unassembled, which comprise an invention described in ‘Licensed Patents’, and improvements thereof including any and all ‘Products’ which employ the inventive concept disclosed or claimed in the ‘Licensed Patents’.

 

In exchange, we paid Mr. Shaw a $500,000 initial licensing fee which was fully paid in 1997. Furthermore, we agreed to pay a 5 percent royalty on gross sales after returns. The license terminates upon expiration of the last licensed patents unless sooner terminated under certain circumstances. The licensing fees have been paid in accordance with this agreement with the exception of $1,500,000 in fees which were waived by Mr. Shaw and his wife.

 

We have the right and obligation to obtain protection of the invention, including prosecution of patent properties. The license unilaterally changes to a nonexclusive license in the event of a hostile takeover. Also, if Mr. Shaw involuntarily loses control of the Company, the license becomes a nonexclusive license and a right to information.

 

We have sought foreign patent protection through the Patent Cooperation Treaty and have filed applications for regional and national patent protection in selective countries. In addition, we have filed applications for national patents in selective countries where we believe the VanishPoint® syringe can be utilized most.

 

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We hold numerous United States patents related to our automated retraction technology, including patents for dental syringes, catheter introducers, winged IV sets, syringes, and blood collection tube holders. In addition, we have multiple applications for patents currently pending.

 

We have also registered the following trade names and trademarks: VanishPoint®, VanishPoint® logos, RT with a circle mark, the Spiral Logo used in packaging our products, and the color coded spots on the ends of our syringes. We also have trademark protection for the phrase “The New Standard for Safety.”

 

There are currently no patent infringement claims pending against the VanishPoint® retraction technology. We have decided, on the advice of patent counsel, not to purchase patent insurance because it would require inappropriate disclosure of information that is currently proprietary and confidential.

 

Regulatory Status and Effect of Regulation

 

We and our products are regulated by the FDA. The syringe is a Class II medical device which requires assurance by the manufacturer that the device is safe and effective and that it meets certain performance standards. The FDA issued its Notice of Substantial Equivalence declaring the VanishPoint® syringe products to be substantially equivalent to a legally marketed predicate device (i.e., granted us permission to market our safety syringes in interstate commerce) for the 3cc VanishPoint® syringe in December 1995; for the 5cc and 10cc VanishPoint® syringes in May 1997; for the 1cc allergy and insulin syringes in November 1997; for the 1cc VanishPoint® tuberculin syringe in February 1998; and for the VanishPoint® blood collection tube holder and small tube adapter in August 1997.

 

In addition to the Notice of Substantial Equivalence, we must register with the FDA on an annual basis and provide the FDA with a list of commercially distributed products. Texas has similar registration requirements. The FDA tries to inspect all medical device manufacturing facilities at least once every two years to determine the extent to which they are complying with Quality System Regulation. The most recent inspection occurred in July 2003 after which the auditor determined “No Action Indicated.”

 

RWTUV-USA, a subsidiary of TUV Essen Germany, performs our quality management system certification. We were originally certified to ISO 9001:1994 in 1997 and received annual surveillance audits, maintaining that certification until March of 2004 with no major non-conformances. We received certification to ISO 13485:2000, CAN/CSA:13485:1996 and EN 13485.2000 in August 2004. In addition, the VanishPoint product line was certified for a CE Mark by RWTUV. The CE Mark authorizes us to sell in the European Union. RWTUV performs annual surveillance audits to ensure our compliance with ISO 13485:2000, CAN/CSA:13485:1996 and EN 13485.2000 and the Medical Device Directive, 93/42/EEC.

 

Government Funding of Research and Right to License

 

Thomas J. Shaw developed his initial version of a safety syringe with the aid of grants by the National Institute of Drug Abuse, a subsidiary of the National Institutes of Health. As a result, the federal government has the right, where the public interest justifies it, to disperse the technology to multiple manufacturers so that the safety syringe can be made widely available to the public. However, the funding was only used to develop and patent the earlier syringe design as of 1991. That syringe was a bulkier, less effective, and more expensive version of the current product. Accordingly and on the advice of counsel, Management believes that the risk of the government demanding manufacture of this alternative product is minimal.

 

Research and Development

 

We spent $561,135 and $626,941 in fiscal 2003 and 2004, respectively, on research and development. Costs in 2004 were primarily for compensation and experimental parts. Our ongoing research and development activities are performed by an internal research and development staff. This team of engineers is developing process improvements for current and future automated machines. Products

 

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currently in development by our internal team include the winged butterfly IV, the catheter introducer, and the dental syringe. Our limited access to the market has slowed the introduction of these products into the market. Possible future products include all needle medical devices to which the automated retraction mechanism can be applied.

 

Environmental Compliance

 

We believe that we do not incur material costs in connection with compliance with environmental laws. We are considered a Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator because we generate less than 100 kilograms (220 lbs.) of hazardous waste per month. Therefore, we are exempt from the reporting requirements set forth by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The waste that is generated at our facility is primarily made up of flammable liquids and is sent for fuel blending by Safety Kleen. This fuel blending process completely destroys our waste and satisfies our “cradle-to-grave” responsibility.

 

Other nonhazardous production waste includes clean polypropylene regrind that is sold for recycling. The Company also grinds dirty plastics, syringes, and needles for disposal by Waste Management. All other nonhazardous waste produced is considered municipal solid waste and sent to a sanitary landfill by Waste Management.

 

We also produce small amounts of regulated biohazardous waste from contaminated sharps and laboratory wastes. This waste is sent for incineration by American 3CI.

 

Employees

 

As of March 1, 2005, we had 148 full-time employees, 2 part-time employees, and 1 independently contracted consultant. Of the 148 full-time employees, 5 persons were engaged in research and development activities, 65 persons were engaged in manufacturing and engineering, 26 persons were engaged in quality assurance and regulatory affairs, 22 persons were engaged in sales and marketing, 29 persons were engaged in general and administrative functions, and 1 person in facilities. No employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. We are dependent upon a number of key management and technical personnel, and the loss of services of one or more key employees could have a material adverse effect on us. Our President and Chief Executive Officer, Thomas J. Shaw, has an employment contract that ended on September 2002 with an automatic and continuous renewal for consecutive two-year periods.

 

Item 2. Description of Property

 

Our 22,500 square foot headquarters is located at 511 Lobo Lane, on 35 acres, which we own, overlooking Lake Lewisville in Little Elm, Texas. The building is a modular portion of a larger planned building for which the engineering design has been finalized. The headquarters are in good condition and house our administrative offices and manufacturing facility. We have completed construction of a 45,000 square foot warehouse and put it in service in March 2005.

 

The Company has obtained a loan from 1st International Bank (“1st International”) for $2,500,000 (the “New Loan”), secured by the land and existing buildings, which provided interim funding for the construction of the 45,000 square foot warehouse. The proceeds from the loan were used to pay off the remaining $475,000 of the revolving credit agreement with 1st International in addition to funding the new warehouse and related infrastructure. Payments on the new note were interest only during the first twelve months. The payments for the permanent funding will be based on a twenty-year amortization with a five year maturity. Interest rates will be based on the amount of funds kept on deposit with the bank. Accordingly, interest will vary from the WSJPR to the WSJPR plus 1 percent, with floors that may range from 4.25 percent to 6.50 percent. Compensating balances at 1st International affecting the interest rate will range from $0 to $500,000.

 

Additional capital expenditures may include additional assembly lines, molding equipment, manufacturing space, warehousing and related infrastructure. The expansion could include those products that have been developed but not yet marketed, as well as expanding manufacturing capacity for existing products.

 

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We also lease Suites 618, 620, 622, and 628 S. Mill Street, Lewisville, Texas, as well as storage stalls located at 102 E. Purnell, Lewisville, Texas, from Mill Street Enterprises, a sole proprietorship owned by Lillian E. Salerno, a shareholder holding more than 10% of the Common Stock. This lease is for over 4,000 square feet of office space in good condition. The lease is for a five-year period beginning in July 2002 at a monthly rate of $2,900. This space is used to store office documents and for general office and marketing purposes. This lease is expected to terminate in the second quarter.

 

In the opinion of Management, all the properties and equipment are suitable for their intended use and are adequately covered by an insurance policy which lists Balboa Capital, GE Capital Modular Space, and 1st International as the loss payees.

 

We do not hold any real estate or related securities for investment purposes or engage in real estate activities. It is not our policy to acquire assets primarily for possible capital gain or primarily for income. However, there are no limitations on the percentage of assets which may be invested in any one type of investment and our policies may be changed without a vote of the shareholders.

 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

 

We are not a party to any material legal proceeding.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

No matters were submitted to a vote during the fourth quarter of 2004.

 

PART II

 

Item 5. Market for Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

 

MARKET INFORMATION

 

Our Common Stock has been listed on The American Stock Exchange (the “AMEX”) since May 4, 2001. Shown below is the high and low sales price of our Common Stock as reported by the AMEX for each quarter of the last two fiscal years since the Common Stock began trading on the AMEX:

 

     Common Stock

     High

   Low

2004

             

Fourth Quarter

   $  5.24    $  3.55

Third Quarter

   $ 9.16    $ 4.50

Second Quarter

   $ 7.75    $ 5.20

First Quarter

   $ 8.89    $ 5.82

2003

             

Fourth Quarter

   $ 6.98    $ 5.75

Third Quarter

   $ 8.25    $ 6.00

Second Quarter

   $ 9.50    $ 2.90

First Quarter

   $ 5.00    $ 2.99

 

SHAREHOLDERS

 

As of March 1, 2005, there were 23,204,498 shares of Common Stock held by 342 shareholders of record not including shareholders who beneficially own Common Stock held in nominee or “street name.”

 

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DIVIDENDS

 

We have not ever declared or paid any dividends on the Common Stock. We have no current plans to pay any cash dividends on the Common Stock. We intend to retain all earnings, except those required to be paid to the holders of the Preferred Stock, to support operations and future growth. The Board of Directors declared a dividend on the Series I and II Class B Convertible Preferred Stock. The dividend arrearage through June 30, 2004, on the Series I and II Class B Convertible Preferred Stock of $7,118,583 was paid on August 27, 2004, to the holders of record as of August 17, 2004. As of December 31, 2004, $9,209,000 in dividends were in arrears on the Class B stock. Dividends may not be paid on the Common Stock until all dividends on the Preferred Stock have been paid.

 

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

 

See Item 11 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters for a chart describing compensation plans under which equity securities are authorized.

 

RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES

 

Sales of unregistered securities in the first three quarters of 2004 were reported in the Company’s Form 10-QSB quarterly reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) which are available via Edgar. There were no sales in the fourth quarter of 2004.

 

Item 6. Management’s Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT WARNING

 

Certain statements included by reference in this filing containing the words “could,” “may,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “expects,” and similar such words constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. Any forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the impact of dramatic increases in demand, our ability to quickly increase capacity in the event of a dramatic increase in demand, our ability to access the market, our ability to decrease production costs, our ability to continue to finance research and development as well as operations and expansion of production, and the recently increased interest of larger market players, specifically BD, in providing safety needle devices. Given these uncertainties, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.

 

OVERVIEW

 

We have been manufacturing and marketing our products into the marketplace since 1997. Our products have been and continue to be distributed nationally through numerous distributors. However, we have been blocked from access to the market by exclusive marketing practices engaged in by BD who dominates the market. We continue to attempt to gain access to the market through our sales efforts and innovative technology.

 

We are focusing on methods of upgrading our manufacturing capability and efficiency in order to enable us to offer our technology at a reduced price. Our agreement with Double Dove has enabled us to increase manufacturing capacity with little or no capital outlay and provided a competitive manufactured cost. We believe our current capitalization provides the resources necessary to implement these changes and greatly improve our manufacturing capacity and efficiency, thereby reducing our unit cost. We are also marketing more product internationally.

 

Historically, unit sales have increased in the latter part of the year due, in part, to the demands for syringes during the flu season. As a result of the severe flu vaccine shortage in 2004, management believes

 

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that our sales in the third and fourth quarter of 2004 were negatively affected by customers that would have ordered product but for the shortage. Management further anticipates that not all product that was ordered in the latter part of 2004 was used as a result of the vaccine shortage. Accordingly, management anticipates that sales in the first and possibly second quarter of 2005 may be negatively impacted as well until current customer inventories are depleted.

 

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

The following selected financial data for fiscal years ended December 31, 2004, and 2003, is derived from financial statements, which were audited by independent accountants. The data should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and selected notes and the following discussion of results of operations.

 

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

 

Sales, net

   $ 21,135,943     $ 19,078,332  

Reimbursed discounts

     385,757       —    
    


 


Total sales

     21,521,700       19,078,332  

Cost of sales

     16,410,599       14,654,006  
    


 


Gross margin

     5,111,101       4,424,326  
    


 


Operating expenses

                

Sales and marketing

     3,648,454       3,374,212  

Research and development

     626,941       561,135  

General and administrative

     8,834,527       6,391,931  
    


 


Total operating expenses

     13,109,922       10,327,278  
    


 


Loss from operations

     (7,998,821 )     (5,902,952 )

Interest income

     475,121       44,553  

Interest expense, net

     (243,922 )     (307,142 )

Litigation settlement, net

     74,635,362       13,879,511  
    


 


Net income before income taxes

     66,867,740       7,713,970  

Provision for income taxes

     12,176,345       265,473  
    


 


Net income

     54,691,395       7,448,497  

Preferred stock dividend requirement

     (1,993,516 )     (2,560,723 )
    


 


Earnings applicable to Common Stockholders

   $ 52,697,879     $ 4,887,774  
    


 


Earnings per share - basic

   $ 2.33     $ 0.23  
    


 


Earnings per share - diluted

   $ 2.08     $ 0.20  
    


 


Weighted average common shares outstanding

     22,600,166       21,001,004  
    


 


 

 

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The following discussion contains trend information and other forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Our actual future results could differ materially from our historical results of operations and those discussed in the forward-looking statements. All period references are to our fiscal year ended December 2004 or 2003. Variances have been rounded for ease of reading.

 

Comparison of Year Ended

December 31, 2004, and Year Ended December 31, 2003

 

Net sales were $21,135,943 and $19,078,332 for the years ended December 31, 2004, and December 31, 2003, respectively. Unit sales increased 23.8 percent. The increase in net sales of $2,057,611, or 10.8 percent, was due principally to increased sales in the alternate care market and international sales. Domestic sales comprised 94.0% of our revenues whereas international sales accounted for the remaining 6.0%. Discount reimbursements in 2004 were $358,757. Unit sales of the 1cc syringe increased 21.1 percent, 3cc sales increased 13.0 percent. Sales to one distributor in 2004 accounted for 16.6 percent of the revenues.

 

Cost of sales increased from $14,654,006 in 2003 to $16,410,599, in 2004, an increase of $1,756,593, or 12.0 percent. $1,543,000 of the increase is due to additional products being sold and the purchases from China. The remaining increase is additional royalty expense of $369,000 mitigated by reduced insurance costs of $65,000, decreased supplies and testing costs of $65,000, and other reduced costs of $25,000.

 

Sales and marketing expenses increased to $3,648,454 in 2004 from $3,374,212 in 2003, an increase of $274,000. Labor costs increased $422,000 mitigated by the 2003 bonuses of $108,000. Labor costs increased due to additional sales and marketing employees. Other increases in expense include travel and entertainment of $182,000, administrative fees paid under GPO contracts $102,000, stock option expense of $99,000, consulting costs of $78,000, advertising costs of $65,000, meetings and trade show expense of $54,000, and various other office expenses and freight comprising the remainder. The increase was mitigated by the reduction in marketing fees of $680,000 due to the termination of the Abbott Agreement.

 

Research and development expense increased from $561,135 in 2003 to $626,941 in 2004. Increases in labor costs of $106,000, offset by 2003 bonuses of $25,000, lower consulting cost of $84,000, and an increase in experimental parts of $62,000 account for most of the change.

 

General and administrative costs increased $2,442,596, or 38.2 percent, from 2003 to 2004. Increases include higher legal expenses of $1,919,000 principally due to the Becton Dickinson litigation. Legal fees for patents also increased $322,000. Labor costs increased $310,000, offset by the 2003 bonuses of $226,000, stock option expense increased $123,000, taxes other than income taxes increased $327,000 due primarily to property taxes, and accounting fees increased $54,000 due to the increased complexity of the Company and the effect of Sarbanes Oxley. Insurance cost, principally liability insurance, declined $66,000 due principally to changing market conditions.

 

Effective July 2, 2004, the Company entered into a Settlement Agreement and Release with BD. The Company received $65.1 million of the proceeds which is net of attorneys’ fees and expenses. Approximately $3.4 million was paid to Thomas J. Shaw, President and CEO, under a Covenant Not to Sue.

 

Effective as of April 27, 2004, the Company and Thomas J. Shaw entered into a Settlement Agreement and Release with New Medical Technology, Inc. et. al. (“NMT”). NMT is enjoined from importing the NMT Safety Syringe into the United States and from making, using, selling, or offering to sell the NMT Safety Syringe within the United States until the lapse or expiration of the subject patents. Additionally, NMT paid $1,000,000.00 to the Company.

 

In 2003, the Company reached settlement agreements with three of the defendants in its federal antitrust lawsuit, Retractable Technologies, Inc. v. BD et al. As part of the settlements, the Company received $8,051,250 in 2004 as payment under the financial terms of these settlement agreements which is

 

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net of attorneys’ fees, court costs, legal expenses, and a payment to Mr. Thomas J. Shaw of $423,750 pursuant to the Covenant Not to Sue. See Note 12 LITIGATION SETTLEMENTS of the Notes to Financial Statements for a discussion of these settlements.

 

Provision for income tax consists primarily of federal income tax. The Company utilized all of its net operating loss carryforward for federal and state tax purposes.

 

Preferred stock dividend requirements were $1,993,516 for 2004 compared to $2,560,723 in 2003, a decrease of $567,207. The decrease is due to the conversion of preferred stock, principally Series IV Stock and Series V Stock, resulting in fewer preferred shares outstanding.

 

On July 20, 2004 the Board of Directors declared a dividend payable August 27, 2004 to shareholders of record as of August 17, 2004. The dividend paid the arrearage of $2,550,338 on the Series I Class B stock and arrearage of $4,568,245 on the Series II Class B stock from date of original issue to conversion or June 30, 2004, whichever was appropriate.

 

As a result of the litigation settlement proceeds, the Company is in a profitable position for 2003 and 2004.

 

Cash flow from operating activities improved from $8,085,125 to $56,479,136, an improvement of $48,421,011. The principal factor in the improvement was the proceeds from the litigation settlements. Inventories increased $198,000 and property, plant and equipment increased $2,437,847 principally due to construction of the warehouse. Accounts payable and income taxes payable increased $1,067,000 and $1,136,135, respectively. Accrued royalties declined $652,617. The Company paid $7,118,583 in dividends on the Series I and Series II preferred stock.

 

The proceeds from litigation provided significant improvements to the Company’s balance sheet, particularly with the increase in cash. Conversion of 1,019,100 shares of preferred stock reduced our dividend requirements in 2004 by $567,000.

 

We began construction of a warehouse in 2004 which was completed in the first quarter of 2005. The interim and long-term financing was provided by a loan from 1st International.

 

Comparison of Year Ended

December 31, 2003, and Year Ended December 31, 2002

 

Net sales were $19,078,332 and $20,316,299 for the years ended December 31, 2003, and December 31, 2002, respectively. Unit sales increased 1.4 percent. The decrease in revenues of $1,237,967, or 6.1 percent, was due principally to the unit sales price to Abbott being higher than the unit sales price to other distributors and the termination of the National Marketing and Distribution Agreement with Abbott Laboratories (the “Abbott Agreement”). The incrementally higher unit sales prices attributable to Abbott are offset by the marketing fees accrued for Abbott which are included in sales and marketing expense. Unit sales of the 1cc syringe increased 7.0 percent which was mitigated by a decrease in unit sales of other products. Sales under the Abbott Agreement accounted for 26.4 percent of 2003 revenues and 49.0 percent of 2002 revenues. Sales to other distributors in 2003 increased to 73.6 percent compared to 51.0 percent in 2002. The Abbott Agreement was terminated October 15, 2003.

 

Cost of sales decreased from $14,990,932 in 2002 to $14,654,006 in 2003, a decrease of 2.2 percent. The improvement of cost of sales is attributable to better operating efficiencies offset by bonuses of $258,000, stock option expense of $80,000, and repairs of $205,000. Also included in the 2003 costs was an increase of $193,000 principally related to samples and testing of product from China.

 

Research and development expense increased from $337,930 in 2002 to $561,135 in 2003. Increases in labor costs of $52,000, bonuses of $25,000, consulting of $84,000, and experimental parts and samples of $58,000 account for most of the increase.

 

Sales and marketing expenses decreased to $3,374,212 in 2003 from $4,042,081 in 2002, a decrease of $668,000. As a percentage of revenues, sales and marketing expenses decreased from 19.9 percent in 2002 to 17.7 percent in 2003. The decrease was attributable to the reduction in marketing fees of $1.4 million due to the termination of the Abbott Agreement mitigated by the decrease in revenues

 

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discussed earlier. The decreased marketing fees were offset by increases in labor costs of $120,000, bonuses of $108,000, stock option expense of $84,000, travel and entertainment expense of $152,000, meetings and trade show expense of $53,000, samples and promotional materials of $52,000, and various other office expenses and freight comprising the remainder.

 

General and administrative costs increased $1,857,714, or 41.0 percent, from 2002 to 2003. Increases include increased legal fees of $590,000 principally due to the NMT litigation offset by decreased fees related to the Sortimat litigation, labor costs of $411,000, bonuses of $226,000, and stock option expense of $239,000. We increased the bad debt reserve by $73,000, insurance costs increased $40,000, and taxes increased $25,000. These increases were offset by reduction in accounting fees of $46,000, advertising of $37,000, and shareholder expense of $30,000.

 

The Company reached settlement agreements with three of the defendants in its federal antitrust lawsuit, Retractable Technologies, Inc. v. BD et al. As part of the settlements, the litigation against Premier, Novation, and TYCO has been dismissed. The Company received $13,879,511 as the initial payment under the financial terms of these settlement agreements which is net of attorneys’ fees, court costs, legal expenses, and a payment to Mr. Thomas J. Shaw of $728,609 pursuant to the Covenant Not to Sue. See Note 12 LITIGATION SETTLEMENTS of the Notes to Financial Statements for a discussion of settlements relating to the antitrust lawsuit.

 

Preferred stock dividend requirements were $2,560,723 for 2003 compared to $2,266,250 in 2002, an increase of $294,473. The increase is due to the Series V Stock being outstanding for all of 2003, mitigated by the conversion of all of the remaining Series A stock and conversion of 684,500 shares of Series V Stock.

 

As a result of the litigation settlement proceeds, the Company is in a profitable position for 2003.

 

Cash flow from operating activities improved from a negative $1,543,466 to a positive $8,058,125, an improvement of $9,601,591. The principal factor in the improvement was the proceeds from the litigation settlements. The decrease in accounts receivable improved cash flow by $1,396,282. The principal factors reducing the Company’s cash flow were the increase in inventories of $1,197,029 and the decrease in payables of $1,884,036. The Company spent $385,921 for capital items.

 

The proceeds from litigation provided significant improvements to the Company’s balance sheet, particularly with the increase in cash and the decrease in current liabilities. Conversion of all of the Series A Stock and 732,150 shares of various series of Class B stock provided an increase in additional paid-in capital and a reduction in the Company’s annual preferred dividend requirements of $379,000.

 

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The Company considers the following to be its most significant accounting policies. Careful consideration and Company review is given to these and all accounting policies on a routine basis to ensure that they are accurately and consistently applied.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Revenue is recognized for sales to distributors when title and risk of ownership passes to the distributor, generally upon shipment. Revenue is recorded on the basis of sales price to distributors. Revenues on sales to distributors are recorded net of contractual pricing allowances. Revenue for shipments directly to end-users is recognized when title and risk of ownership passes from the Company. Any product shipped or distributed for evaluation purposes is expensed.

 

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Marketing Fees

 

The Company paid Abbott marketing fees for services they provided. The contracted services were to include participation in promotional activities, development of educational and promotional materials, representation at trade shows, clinical demonstrations, inservicing and training, and tracking reports detailing the placement of the Company’s products to end-users. Marketing fees are accrued at the time of the sale of product to Abbott. These fees were paid after Abbott provided the Company a tracking report of product sales to end-users. These costs were included in sales and marketing expense in the Statements of Operations. No marketing fees have been accrued since October 15, 2003, the date the National Marketing and Distribution Agreement with Abbott was terminated.

 

Litigation Proceeds

 

Proceeds from litigation settlements in the Company’s federal antitrust lawsuit, Retractable Technologies, Inc. v. Becton Dickinson & Co., et al. are recognized when realizable. Generally, realization is not reasonably assured and expected until proceeds are collected. Such amounts are net of attorneys’ fees, court costs, legal expenses, and amounts payable under the Covenant Not to Sue. Liability for attorneys’ fees is not incurred until proceeds are collected.

 

Payments under the discount reimbursement program are recognized upon delivery of the product provided collection is reasonably assured. Such amounts are presented in the Statements of Operations as a separate component of revenues.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

Prior to 2002, the Company accounted for stock-based compensation under the recognition and measurement provisions (intrinsic value method) of APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related Interpretations. Effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, prospectively to all director, officer, and employee awards granted, modified, or settled after December 31, 2001. The prospective method is one of the alternative transition methods provided in FAS 148. Awards under the Company’s plans vest over periods up to three years. Therefore, the cost related to stock-based compensation included in the determination of net income for 2002 and 2003 is less than would have been recognized if the fair value method had been applied to all awards since the original effective date of SFAS No. 123. SFAS No. 123 indicates that the fair value method is the preferable method of accounting.

 

LIQUIDITY AND FUTURE CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS

 

Historical Sources of Liquidity

 

We have historically funded operations primarily from proceeds from private placements and loans. We were capitalized with approximately $52,600,000 raised from six separate private placement offerings. We raised $47,375,600 in cash from the private sales of an aggregate of 11,710,221 shares of Convertible Preferred Stock. In addition, we obtained a cancellation of $3,679,284 in debt and $1,550,000 in Accounts Payable in exchange for Series V Class B Convertible Preferred stock.

 

We obtained $3,910,000 in 2000 from bank loans of which $3,435,000 has been repaid and $475,000 was refinanced with a new note with 1st International. Additionally, we received a Small Business Administration loan of $1,000,000 in 1996 to pay for portions of automated assembly equipment, multi-cavity molds, and other equipment. This loan has been repaid. Furthermore, we borrowed $5,000,000 in 2000 under our Credit Agreement with Abbott. In October 2002 we repaid the Abbott note with proceeds from a new note from Katie Petroleum for $3,000,000 and a portion of the proceeds from a private placement.

 

The Company has executed a loan from 1st International for $2,500,000 for interim and long-term financing of the warehouse. Principal and interest payments began in the first part of 2005. See Note 7 to Financial Statements for a discussion of the terms of the note.

 

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Internal Sources of Liquidity

 

In early 2004 we began to receive shipment of product under our agreement with Double Dove, a Chinese manufacturer. We believe as we receive greater quantities our profit margins could increase. To achieve our break even quarter we would need minimal access to hospital markets which has been difficult to obtain due to the monopolistic marketplace which was the subject of our antitrust lawsuit against BD. We will continue to attempt to gain access to the market through our sales efforts and innovative technology. We are focusing on methods of upgrading our manufacturing capability and efficiency in order to enable us to offer our technology at a reduced price. We believe our current capitalization provides the resources necessary to implement these changes and greatly improve our manufacturing capacity and efficiency, thereby reducing our unit cost.

 

Historically, unit sales have increased in the latter part of the year due, in part, to the demand for syringes during the flu season. As a result of the severe flu vaccine shortage, management believes that our sales in the third and fourth quarter of 2004 were negatively affected by customers that would have ordered product but for the shortage. Management further anticipates that not all product that was ordered in the latter part of 2004 was used as a result of the vaccine shortage. Accordingly, management anticipates that sales in the first and possibly second quarter of 2005 may be negatively impacted as well until current customer inventories are depleted.

 

Our primary sources of ongoing liquidity are sales of product and, historically, litigation proceeds, sales of stock and loans. At the present time Management does not intend to raise additional equity capital in 2005. Due to the recent litigation settlements, we have sufficient cash reserves and intend to rely on operations, cash reserves and debt financing as the primary ongoing sources of cash.

 

In the event we continue to have only limited market access and cash generated from operations and cash reserves becomes insufficient to support operations, the Company would take cost cutting measures to reduce cash requirements. Such measures could result in reduction of units being produced, reduction of workforce, reduction of salaries of officers and other nonhourly employees, and deferral of royalty payments to Thomas Shaw.

 

External Sources of Liquidity

 

We have obtained several loans over the past six years, which have, together with proceeds from sales of equities, enabled us to pursue development and production of our products. Currently we believe we could obtain additional funds through loans if needed. Furthermore, the shareholders have previously authorized an additional 5,000,000 shares of a Class C stock that could, if necessary, be authorized and used to raise funds through the sale of equity.

 

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

 

The following chart summarizes all of our material obligations and commitments to make future payments under contracts such as debt and lease agreements as of December 31, 2004:

 

     Payments Due by Period

Contractual Obligations


   Total

   2005

   2006-2007

   2008-2009

   Thereafter

Long-Term Debt

   $ 4,299,730    $ 361,969    $ 782,072    $ 814,589    $ 2,341,100

Capital Lease Obligations

     17,128      10,992      6,136      0      0

Operating Lease Obligations

     11,600      11,600      0      0      0
    

  

  

  

  

Total Contractual Cash Obligations

   $ 4,328,458    $ 384,561    $ 788,208    $ 814,589    $ 2,341,100
    

  

  

  

  

 

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Material Commitments for Expenditures

 

Assuming we are able to access the market, we may obtain additional capital to fund capital expenditures and working capital needs. Management would fund these expenditures through debt and equity offerings. Capital expenditures could include additional assembly lines, manufacturing space, warehousing, and related infrastructure. The expansion could include those products that have been developed but not yet marketed, as well as expanding manufacturing capacity for existing products.

 

We had $2,437,847 in capital expenditures in 2004 and $385,921 in 2003. We anticipate capital expenditures of approximately $1,500,000 in 2005 primarily for completion of the warehouse construction and purchase of other capital assets.

 

OFF BALANCE SHEET TRANSACTIONS

 

We have no off-balance sheet transactions.

 

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Item 7. Financial Statements

 

RETRACTABLE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

DECEMBER 31, 2004 AND 2003

 

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RETRACTABLE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page

Report of CF & Co., L.L.P., Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   F-3

Financial Statements:

    

Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2004 and 2003

   F-4

Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

   F-5

Statements of Changes of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

   F-6

Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

   F-8

Notes to Financial Statements

   F-9

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders

of Retractable Technologies, Inc.

 

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Retractable Technologies, Inc. as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

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

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Retractable Technologies, Inc. as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

/s/  CF & Co., L.L.P.

 

CF & Co., L.L.P.

 

Dallas, Texas

March 30, 2005

 

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RETRACTABLE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

BALANCE SHEETS

 

     December 31,

 
     2004

   2003

 

ASSETS

               

Current assets:

               

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 55,868,526    $ 8,155,621  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $196,320 and $146,452, respectively

     1,864,514      1,170,231  

Inventories, net

     3,778,949      3,976,584  

Prepaid income taxes

     1,349,144      —    

Current deferred tax asset

     1,887,347      —    

Other current assets

     296,683      194,310  
    

  


Total current assets

     65,045,163      13,496,746  

Property, plant, and equipment, net

     11,056,865      9,678,826  

Intangible assets, net

     358,659      394,369  

Other assets

     34,005      60,565  
    

  


Total assets

   $ 76,494,692    $ 23,630,506  
    

  


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

               

Current liabilities:

               

Accounts payable

   $ 3,402,037    $ 2,335,389  

Current portion of long-term debt

     271,842      210,681  

Accrued compensation

     322,861      231,959  

Marketing fees payable

     1,419,760      1,419,760  

Accrued royalties

     504,016      1,156,633  

Other accrued liabilities

     118,832      152,800  

Income taxes payable

     1,813,084      265,473  
    

  


Total current liabilities

     7,852,432      5,772,695  
    

  


Long-term debt, net of current maturities

     3,535,410      2,723,001  

Long-term deferred tax liability

     1,442,145      —    
    

  


Total liabilities

     12,829,987      8,495,696  
    

  


Stockholders’ equity:

               

Preferred stock $1 par value:

               

Class B; authorized: 5,000,000 shares

               

Series I, Class B; issued: 1,000,000 shares; outstanding: 199,400 and 229,400 shares, respectively (liquidation preference of $1,246,250 and $1,433,750, respectively)

     199,400      229,400  

Series II, Class B; issued: 1,000,000 shares; outstanding 289,000 and 418,500 shares, respectively (liquidation preference of $3,612,500 and $5,231,250 respectively)

     289,000      418,500  

Series III, Class B; issued: 1,160,445 shares; outstanding: 137,745 and 145,245 shares, respectively (liquidation preference of $1,721,813 and $1,815,563 respectively)

     137,745      145,245  

Series IV, Class B; issued: 1,133,800 shares; outstanding 556,000 and 1,066,000 shares, respectively (liquidation preference of $6,116,000 and $11,726,000, respectively)

     556,000      1,066,000  

Series V, Class B; issued 2,416,221 shares; outstanding: 1,389,971 and 1,732,071 shares, respectively (liquidation preference of $6,115,872 and $7,621,112 respectively)

     1,389,971      1,732,071  

Common Stock, no par value; authorized: 100,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding: 23,201,998 and 22,141,964, respectively

     —        —    

Additional paid-in capital

     53,424,744      51,448,561  

Retained earnings (deficit)

     7,667,845      (39,904,967 )
    

  


Total stockholders’ equity

     63,664,705      15,134,810  
    

  


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 76,494,692    $ 23,630,506  
    

  


 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements

 

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Index to Financial Statements

RETRACTABLE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

     Years Ended December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

 

Sales, net

   $ 21,135,943     $ 19,078,332     $ 20,316,299  

Reimbursed discounts

     385,757       —         —    
    


 


 


Total sales

     21,521,700       19,078,332       20,316,299  

Cost of sales

     16,410,599       14,654,006       14,990,932  

Product recall and recovery

     —         —         481,637  
    


 


 


Gross margin

     5,111,101       4,424,326       4,843,730  
    


 


 


Operating expenses:

                        

Sales and marketing

     3,648,454       3,374,212       4,042,081  

Research and development

     626,941       561,135       337,930  

General and administrative

     8,834,527       6,391,931       4,534,217  

Debt conversion expense

     —         —         2,319,073  
    


 


 


Total operating expenses

     13,109,922       10,327,278       11,233,301  
    


 


 


Loss from operations

     (7,998,821 )     (5,902,952 )     (6,389,571 )

Interest income

     475,121       44,553       10,035  

Interest expense, net

     (243,922 )     (307,142 )     (446,392 )

Litigation settlements, net

     74,635,362       13,879,511       —    
    


 


 


Net income (loss) before income taxes

     66,867,740       7,713,970       (6,825,928 )

Provision for income taxes

     12,176,345       265,473       —    
    


 


 


Net income (loss)

     54,691,395       7,448,497       (6,825,928 )

Preferred stock dividend requirements

     (1,993,516 )     (2,560,723 )     (2,266,250 )
    


 


 


Earnings (loss) applicable to common shareholders

   $ 52,697,879     $ 4,887,774     $ (9,092,178 )
    


 


 


Earnings (loss) per share - basic

   $ 2.33     $ 0.23     $ (0.45 )
    


 


 


Earnings (loss) per share - diluted

   $ 2.08     $ 0.20     $ (0.45 )
    


 


 


Weighted average common shares outstanding

     22,600,166       21,001,004       20,300,454  
    


 


 


 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements

 

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Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

RETRACTABLE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

    Series A

    Series I Class B

    Series II Class B

    Series III Class B

    Series IV Class B

    Series V Class B

    Common

    Shares

    Amount

    Shares

    Amount

    Shares

    Amount

    Shares

    Amount

    Shares

    Amount

    Shares

    Amount

    Shares

  Amount

Balance as of December 31, 2001

  1,101,500     $ 1,101,500     261,900     $ 261,900     431,000     $ 431,000     158,245     $ 158,245     1,066,000     $ 1,066,000     —       $ —       20,262,600   $  —  

Issued Preferred Series V, Class B shares 2,022,012 shares, $1 par (net of stock issuance costs of $296,088)

                                                                        2,022,012       2,022,012            

Conversion of Preferred Stock into Common Stock

  (45,500 )     (45,500 )   (2,500 )     (2,500 )                 (7,500 )     (7,500 )                               55,500      

Recognition of stock option compensation

                                                                                             

Stock options given in connection with issuance of $3,000,000 note payable

                                                                                             

Stock options given in connection with stock subscriptions for 525,000 Preferred Series V, Class B shares

                                                                                             

Stock options given in connection with conversion of $3,679,284 of debt

                                                                                             

Issued 394,209 additional shares of Preferred Series V, Class B shares in connection with conversion of $3,679,284 of debt

                                                                        394,209       394,209            

Beneficial conversion feature of $3,000,000 note payable

                                                                                             

Implied dividend for beneficial conversion feature of Preferred Series V, Class B shares

                                                                                             

Forgiveness of royalties due to an officer

                                                                                             

Net loss

                                                                                             
   

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 
 

Balance as of December 31, 2002

  1,056,000       1,056,000     259,400       259,400     431,000       431,000     150,745       150,745     1,066,000       1,066,000     2,416,221       2,416,221     20,318,100     —  

Conversion of debt into Common Stock

                                                                                      35,714     —  

Conversion of preferred Stock into Common Stock

  (1,056,000 )     (1,056,000 )   (30,000 )     (30,000 )   (12,500 )     (12,500 )   (5,500 )     (5,500 )                 (684,150 )     (684,150 )   1,788,150     —  

Recognition of stock option compensation

                                                                                             

Dividends declared and paid on Series A Preferred Stock

                                                                                             

Net income

                                                                                             
   

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 
 

Balance as of December 31, 2003

  —         —       229,400       229,400     418,500       418,500     145,245       145,245     1,066,000       1,066,000     1,732,071       1,732,071     22,141,964     —  

Conversion of debt into Common Stock

                                                                                      40,934      

Conversion of Preferred Stock into Common Stock

                (30,000 )     (30,000 )   (129,500 )     (129,500 )   (7,500 )     (7,500 )   (510,000 )     (510,000 )   (342,100 )     (342,100 )   1,019,100      

Recognition of stock option compensation

                                                                                             

Dividends declared and paid on Series I Class B Stock

                                                                                             

Dividends declared and paid on Series II Class B Stock

                                                                                             

Net Income

                                                                                             
   

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 
 

Balance as of December 31, 2004

  —         —       199,400     $ 199,400     289,000     $ 289,000     137,745     $ 137,745     556,000     $ 556,000     1,389,971     $ 1,389,971     23,201,998     —  
   

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements

 

 

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Index to Financial Statements

RETRACTABLE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

     Additional
Paid-in
Capital


    Retained
Earnings


    Total

 

Balance as of December 31, 2001

   $ 37,671,513     $ (40,527,536 )   $ 162,622  

Issued Preferred Series V, Class B shares 2,022,012 shares, $1 par (net of stock issuance costs of $296,088)

     8,663,051               10,685,063  

Conversion of Preferred Stock into Common Stock

     55,500                  

Recognition of stock option compensation

     48,926               48,926  

Stock options given in connection with issuance of $3,000,000 note payable

     299,346               299,346  

Stock options given in connection with Issuance of 525,000 Preferred Series V, Class B shares

     209,572               209,572  

Stock options given in connection with conversion of $3,679,284 of debt

     440,000               440,000  

Issued 394,209 additional shares of Preferred Series V, Class B shares in connection with conversion of $3,679,284 of debt

     1,427,036               1,821,245  

Beneficial conversion feature of $3,000,000 note payable

     412,500               412,500  

Implied dividend for beneficial conversion feature of Preferred Series V, Class B shares

     (1,316,267 )             (1,316,267 )

Forgiveness of royalties due to an officer

     1,500,000               1,500,000  

Net loss

             (6,825,928 )     (6,825,928 )
    


 


 


Balance as of December 31, 2002

     49,411,177       (47,353,464 )     7,437,079  

Conversion of debt into Common Stock

     249,998               249,998  

Conversion of Preferred Stock into Common Stock

     1,788,150                  

Recognition of stock option compensation

     458,324               458,324  

Dividends declared and paid on Series A Preferred Stock

     (459,088 )             (459,088 )

Net income

             7,448,497       7,448,497  
    


 


 


Balance as of December 31, 2003

     51,448,561       (39,904,967 )     15,134,810  

Conversion of debt into Common Stock

     163,736               163,736  

Conversion of Preferred Stock into Common Stock

     1,019,100               —    

Recognition of stock option compensation

     793,347               793,347  

Dividends declared and paid on Series I Stock

             (2,550,338 )     (2,550,338 )

Dividends declared and paid on Series II Stock

             (4,568,245 )     (4,568,245 )

Net income

             54,691,395       54,691,395  
    


 


 


Balance as of December 31, 2004

   $ 53,424,744     $ 7,667,845     $ 63,664,705  
    


 


 


 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements

 

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Index to Financial Statements

RETRACTABLE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

     Years Ended December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                        

Net income (loss)

   $ 54,691,395     $ 7,448,497     $ (6,825,928 )

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

                        

Depreciation and amortization

     1,294,297       1,308,624       1,328,700  

Capitalized interest

     (52,788 )     (26,924 )     (25,796 )

Stock option compensation

     793,347       458,324       48,927  

Provision for doubtful accounts

     146,049       100,352       12,498  

Accreted interest

     101,120       101,119       —    

Deferred income taxes

     (445,202 )     —         —    

Waiver of vacation pay

     —         —         (100,937 )

Debt conversion expense

     —         —         2,319,073  

Change in assets and liabilities:

                        

(Increase) decrease in inventories

     197,635       (1,197,029 )     439,232  

(Increase) decrease in accounts and note receivable

     (840,332 )     1,396,282       (1,094,338 )

(Increase) decrease in prepaid income taxes

     (1,349,144 )     —         —    

(Increase) decrease in other current assets

     (75,817 )     87,443       88,430  

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable

     1,066,648       (1,894,008 )     1,909,280  

Increase (decrease) in marketing fees payable

     —         (454,811 )     (642,770 )

Increase (decrease) in other accrued liabilities

     (595,683 )     464,783       1,000,163  

Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable

     1,547,611       265,473       —    
    


 


 


Net cash provided (used) by operating activities

     56,479,136       8,058,125       (1,543,466 )
    


 


 


Cash flows from investing activities:

                        

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

     (2,437,847 )     (385,921 )     (71,314 )

Acquisition of patents, trademarks, licenses and intangibles

     —         (24,713 )     (59,903 )
    


 


 


Net cash used by investing activities

     (2,437,847 )     (410,634 )     (131,217 )
    


 


 


Cash flows from financing activities:

                        

Repayments of long-term debt and notes payable

     (159,802 )     (374,899 )     (5,552,527 )

Proceeds from long-term debt

     950,000       —         3,000,000  

Proceeds from the sale of Preferred Stock

     —         —         4,435,600  

Payment of Preferred Stock dividends

     (7,118,582 )     (459,088 )     —    

Offering expenses related to Preferred Stock issuances

     —         —         (86,517 )
    


 


 


Net cash provided (used) by financing activities

     (6,328,384 )     (833,987 )     1,796,556  
    


 


 


Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     47,712,905       6,813,504       121,873  

Cash and cash equivalents at:

                        

Beginning of period

     8,155,621       1,342,117       1,220,244  
    


 


 


End of period

   $ 55,868,526     $ 8,155,621     $ 1,342,117  
    


 


 


Supplemental schedule of cash flow information:

                        

Interest paid

   $ 202,572     $ 257,986     $ 460,159  

Income taxes paid

   $ 12,439,212     $ —       $ —    

Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and financing activities:

                        

Debt assumed to acquire assets

   $ 121,837     $ 16,264     $ —    

Closing costs rolled into long-term debt

   $ 24,154     $ —       $ —    

Conversion of long-term debt into Common Stock

   $ 163,740     $ 249,998     $ —    

Forgiveness of royalties by an officer

   $ —       $ —       $ 1,500,000  

Conversion of accounts payable into Preferred Stock

   $ —       $ —       $ 1,550,000  

Conversion of long-term debt into Preferred Stock

   $ —       $ —       $ 3,679,284  

Stock issuance costs paid in stock options

   $ —       $ —       $ 209,572  

Loan origination fee paid in stock options

   $ —       $ —       $ 299,346  

Beneficial conversion feature of Preferred Stock issued

   $ —       $ —       $ 1,316,267  

Beneficial conversion feature of a $3,000,000 note payable

   $ —       $ —       $ 412,500  

Implied dividends from beneficial conversion feature

   $ —       $ —       $ (1,316,267 )

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements

 

F-8


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Index to Financial Statements

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY

 

Retractable Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated in Texas on May 9, 1994, to design, develop, manufacture and market safety syringes and other safety medical products for the healthcare profession. The Company began to develop its manufacturing operations in 1995. The Company’s manufacturing and administrative facilities are located in Little Elm, Texas. The Company’s primary products are the VanishPoint® syringe in the 1cc, 3cc, 5cc and 10cc sizes and blood collection tube holders. The Company has conducted preliminary clinical evaluations and worked with national distributors to encourage healthcare facilities to transition from the use of standard syringes to the VanishPoint® syringe.

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Accounting estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles 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 significantly from those estimates.

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include unrestricted cash and investments with original maturities of three months or less.

 

Accounts receivable

 

The Company records trade receivables when revenue is recognized. No product has been consigned to customers. The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts is primarily determined by review of specific trade receivables. Those accounts that are doubtful of collection are included in the allowance. An additional allowance has been established based on a percentage of receivables outstanding. These provisions are reviewed to determine the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. Trade receivables are charged off when there is certainty as to their being uncollectible. Trade receivables are considered delinquent when payment has not been made within contract terms.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market, with cost being determined using a standard cost method, which approximates average cost. Provision is made for any excess or obsolete inventories.

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Cost includes major expenditures for improvements and replacements which extend useful lives or increase capacity and interest cost associated with significant capital additions. For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002, the Company capitalized interest of approximately $53,000, $27,000, and $26,000, respectively. Gains or losses from property disposals are included in income.

 

F-9


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Index to Financial Statements

Depreciation and amortization are calculated using the straight-line method over the following useful lives:

 

Production equipment

   3 to 13 years

Office furniture and equipment

   3 to 10 years

Building

   39 years

Building improvements

   15 years

Automobiles

   7 years

 

Long-lived assets

 

The Company assesses the recoverability of long-lived assets using an assessment of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows related to such assets. In the event that assets are found to be carried at amounts which are in excess of estimated gross future cash flows, the assets will be adjusted for impairment to a level commensurate with a discounted cash flow analysis of the underlying assets.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year’s presentation.

 

Intangible assets

 

Intangible assets are stated at cost and consist primarily of patents, a license agreement granting exclusive rights to use patented technology, and trademarks which are amortized using the straight-line method over 17 years.

 

Financial instruments

 

The fair value of financial instruments is determined by reference to various market data and other valuation techniques as appropriate. The Company believes that the fair value of financial instruments approximates their recorded values.

 

Concentrations of credit risk

 

The Company’s financial instruments exposed to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents and accounts receivable. Cash balances, some of which exceed the federally insured limits, are maintained in financial institutions; however, management believes the institutions are of high credit quality. The majority of accounts receivable are due from companies which are well-established entities. As a consequence, management considers any exposure from concentrations of credit risks to be limited. The Company had a high concentration of sales with two significant customers. For the year ended December 31, 2004, the aforementioned customers accounted for $6,112,892, or 28.4%, of net sales, and their aggregated accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2004, was $236,478.

 

Revenue recognition

 

Revenue is recognized for sales to distributors when title and risk of ownership passes to the distributor, generally upon shipment. Revenue is recorded on the basis of sales price to distributors. Revenues on sales to distributors are recorded net of contractual pricing allowances. Revenue for shipments directly to end-users is recognized when title and risk of ownership passes from the Company. Any product shipped or distributed for evaluation purposes is expensed.

 

F-10


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Marketing fees

 

The Company paid Abbott Laboratories (“Abbott”) marketing fees for services they provided. The contracted services were to include participation in promotional activities, development of educational and promotional materials, representation at trade shows, clinical demonstrations, inservicing and training, and tracking reports detailing the placement of the Company’s products to end-users. Marketing fees are accrued at the time of the sale of product to Abbott. These fees were paid after Abbott provided the Company a tracking report of product sales to end-users. These costs were included in sales and marketing expense in the Statements of Operations. No marketing fees have been accrued since October 15, 2003, the date the National Marketing and Distribution Agreement with Abbott was terminated.

 

Litigation Proceeds

 

Proceeds from litigation settlements in the Company’s federal antitrust lawsuit, Retractable Technologies, Inc. v. Becton Dickinson & Co., et al. are recognized when realizable. Generally, realization is not reasonably assured and expected until proceeds are collected. Such amounts are net of attorneys’ fees, court costs, legal expenses, and amounts payable under the Covenant Not to Sue. Liability for attorneys’ fees is not incurred until proceeds are collected.

 

Payments under the discount reimbursement program are recognized upon delivery of the product, provided collection is reasonably assured. Such amounts are presented in the Statements of Operations as a separate component of revenues.

 

Income taxes

 

The Company provides for deferred income taxes in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (“SFAS 109”). SFAS 109 requires an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting for income taxes based on the tax effects of differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities, based on enacted rates expected to be in effect when such basis differences reverse in future periods. Deferred tax assets are periodically reviewed for realizability. Valuation allowances are recorded when realizability of deferred tax assets is not likely.

 

Earnings per share

 

The Company has adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, Earnings Per Share, which establishes standards for computing and presenting earnings per share. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings for the period (adjusted for any cumulative dividends for the period) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The Company’s potentially dilutive Common Stock equivalents, consist of options, convertible debt and convertible Preferred Stock and are dilutive or antidilutive in different periods as shown in the schedule below:

 

F-11


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements
     Years Ended December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

 

Net Income (loss)

   $ 54,691,395     $ 7,448,497     $ (6,825,928 )

Preferred stock dividend requirements

     (1,993,516 )     (2,560,723 )     (2,266,250 )
    


 


 


Earnings (loss) available to common shareholders

     52,697,879       4,887,774       (9,092,178 )

Effect of dilutive securities:

                        

Preferred stock dividend requirements

     1,993,516       —         —    

Convertible debt interest and loan fees

     (351,860 )     (454,379 )     —    
    


 


 


Earnings (loss) available to common shareholders after assumed conversions

   $ 54,339,535     $ 4,433,395     $ (9,092,178 )
    


 


 


Average common shares outstanding

     22,600,166       21,001,004       20,300,454  

Dilutive stock equivalents from stock options

     269,016       292,528       —    

Shares issuable upon conversion of Preferred Stock

     2,572,116       —         —    

Shares issuable upon conversion of convertible debt

     685,855       750,000       —    
    


 


 


Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding – assuming dilution

     26,127,153       22,043,532       20,300,454  
    


 


 


Basic earnings (loss) per share

   $ 2.33     $ 0.23     $ (0.45 )
    


 


 


Diluted earnings (loss) per share

   $ 2.08     $ 0.20     $ (0.45 )
    


 


 


 

Research and development costs

 

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

 

Stock-based compensation

 

The Company has three stock-based director, officer and employee compensation plans which are described more fully in Note 11. Prior to 2002, the Company accounted for those plans under the recognition and measurement provisions (intrinsic value method) of APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related Interpretations. Effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, prospectively to all director, officer and employee awards granted, modified, or settled after December 31, 2001. Awards under the Company’s plans vest over periods up to three years. Therefore, the cost related to stock-based compensation included in the determination of net income for 2002 and 2003 is less than what would have been recognized if the fair value method had been applied to all awards since the original effective date of SFAS No. 123. SFAS No. 123 indicates that the fair value method is the preferable method of accounting. The following table indicates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the fair value method had been applied to all outstanding and unvested awards in each period.

 

F-12


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements
     Year Ended December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

 

Net income (loss), as reported

   $ 54,691,395     $ 7,448,497     $ (6,825,928 )

Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income, net of related tax effects

     759,203       458,324       38,323  

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined by fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects

     (759,203 )     (566,779 )     (185,072 )
    


 


 


Pro forma net income

   $ 54,691,395     $ 7,340,042     $ (6,972,677 )
    


 


 


Earnings (loss) per share (basic)-as reported

   $ 2.33     $ 0.23     $ (0.45 )

Earnings (loss) per share (diluted)-as reported

   $ 2.08     $ 0.20     $ (0.45 )

Earnings (loss) per share (basic)-pro forma

   $ 2.33     $ 0.23     $ (0.46 )

Earnings (loss) per share (diluted)-pro forma

   $ 2.08     $ 0.20     $ (0.46 )

 

Recent Pronouncements

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share Based Payment” (“SFAS No. 123(R)”). SFAS No. 123(R) supercedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and amends SFAS No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows.” Generally, the approach in SFAS No. 123(R) is similar to the approach described in SFAS No. 123. SFAS No. 123(R) must be adopted by our Company by the third quarter of 2005. Currently, our Company uses the Black-Scholes model to estimate the value of stock options granted to employees and is evaluating option valuation models, including the Black-Scholes model to determine which model the Company will utilize upon adoption of SFAS No. 123(R). Our Company plans to adopt SFAS No. 123(R) using the modified-prospective method. We do not anticipate that adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) will have a material impact on our Company’s stock-based compensation expense.

 

In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, Inventory Costs, an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4, Inventory Pricing, to clarify that abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage), should be expensed as incurred and not included in overhead. In addition, this Statement requires the allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. The provisions in SFAS No. 151 are effective for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company is currently assessing the impact of SFAS No. 151 on its financial statements.

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued Staff Position No. FAS 109-1, Application of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, to the tax Deduction on Qualified Production Activities Provided by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the “Act”) that provides a tax deduction on qualified production activities. Accordingly FASB indicated that this deduction should be accounted for as a special deduction in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109. The Company will comply with the provisions of FSP 109-1 effective January 1, 2005, and does not believe that the adoption of this FASB Staff Position will have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements
3. INVENTORIES

 

Inventories consist of the following:

 

     December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

 

Raw materials

   $ 763,664     $ 884,986  

Finished goods

     3,112,604       3,188,917  
    


 


       3,876,268       4,073,903  

Inventory reserve

     (97,319 )     (97,319 )
    


 


     $ 3,778,949     $ 3,976,584  
    


 


 

4. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:

 

     December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

 

Land

   $ 261,893     $ 261,893  

Building and building improvements

     1,896,188       1,883,259  

Production equipment

     13,491,629       13,284,593  

Office furniture and equipment

     997,943       782,273  

Construction in progress

     2,617,991       417,000  

Automobiles

     21,858       21,858  
    


 


       19,287,502       16,650,876  

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (8,230,637 )     (6,972,050 )
    


 


     $ 11,056,865     $ 9,678,826  
    


 


 

Acquisition costs of production equipment financed through capital leases were $45,000 and $1,257,307 at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Accumulated amortization on these leases was $12,404 and $778,171 at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

Depreciation expense and capital lease amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 was $1,258,587, $1,265,762, and $1,275,594, respectively.

 

5. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

Intangible assets consist of the following:

 

     December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

 

License agreement

   $ 500,000     $ 500,000  

Trademarks and patents

     226,847       226,847  
    


 


       726,847       726,847  

Accumulated amortization

     (368,188 )     (332,478 )
    


 


     $ 358,659     $ 394,369  
    


 


 

In 1995, the Company entered into the license agreement with an officer of the Company for the exclusive right to manufacture, market and distribute products utilizing automated retraction technology. This technology is the subject of various patents and patent applications owned by an officer of the Company. The initial licensing fee of $500,000 is being amortized over 17 years. The license agreement also provides for quarterly payments of a 5% royalty fee to the officer on gross sales. The

 

F-14


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

royalty fee expense is recognized in the period in which it is earned. Royalty fees of $1,846,195, $1,477,213, and $1,483,727 are included in cost of sales for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Accrued royalties under this agreement aggregated $504,016 and $1,156,633 at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

During 2002, the officer and his wife forgave $1.5 million of the royalties payable under a licensing agreement which was recorded as additional paid in capital.

 

Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, was $35,710, $42,862, and $53,106, respectively. Future amortization expense for the years 2005 through 2009 is estimated to be $42,000 per year.

 

6. LONG-TERM DEBT

 

     December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

 

Long-term debt consists of the following:

                

Note payable to Katie Petroleum. Interest accrues at prime plus 1%, 6.25% and 5.00% at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Interest only was payable monthly through February 1, 2004. The original amount of the note of $3,000,000 was discounted for presentation purposes by $299,346 for stock options issued in conjunction with the debt and $412,500 for the intrinsic value of a beneficial conversion feature of the debt. Beginning March 1, 2004, the loan is payable in equal installments of principal and interest payments (except for changes in the interest rate) of approximately $37,000 and being fully paid on September 30, 2012. Guaranteed by an officer. Approximately $413,738 of the initial principal payment was converted into 103,435 shares of Common Stock as of March 1, 2005. Not otherwise collateralized. Convertible into Common Stock at $4.00 per share at the option of the holder.

   $ 2,233,812     $ 2,389,273  

Note payable to 1st International Bank for $2,500,000. The proceeds from the loan paid off the remaining $475,000 of the revolving credit agreement and funded a new warehouse and related infrastructure. Payments are interest only during the first twelve months. After twelve months, payments are based on a twenty-year amortization with a five year maturity. The interest rate at December 31, 2004, was 5.25% and is based on the amount of funds kept on deposit with the bank. Accordingly, interest will vary from the Wall Street Journal Prime rate (the “WSJPR”) to the WSJPR plus one percent, with floors that may range from 4.25 percent to 6.50 percent. Compensating balances at 1st International affecting the interest rate will range from $0 to $500,000. The Company had in excess of $500,000 on deposit with 1st International Bank throughout the year. Subsequent to December 31, 2004, the Company drew down the remaining balance of the credit agreement.

     1,449,154       —    

Note payable to 1st International Bank. Interest only payments. Interest at prime plus 2%; 6.00% on December 31, 2003. Collateralized by accounts receivable. Guaranteed by an officer. Subsequent to December 31, 2003, the note was paid with the proceeds of a new loan agreement discussed above.

     —         475,000  

Note payable to CitiCorp. Vendor Finance; Interest at 4.2%; Collateralized by software; Payable in eight quarterly principal and interests payments of $15,955.

     107,158       —    

Capital lease obligations payable in monthly installments ranging from approximately $1,000 to $5,000 through June, 2006. Interest at rates from 10.04% to 14.87%. Collateralized by certain machinery and equipment. Guaranteed by an officer.

     17,128       64,004  

Other

     —         5,405  
    


 


       3,807,252       2,933,682  

Less: current portion

     (271,842 )     (210,681 )
    


 


     $ 3,535,410     $ 2,723,001  
    


 


 

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Index to Financial Statements

The aggregate maturities of long-term debt as of December 31, 2004 are as follows:

 

2005

   $ 271,842

2006

     316,041

2007

     269,929

2008

     353,452

2009

     378,637

Thereafter

     2,217,351
    

     $ 3,807,252
    

 

7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

The Company is involved in various legal proceedings which have arisen in the ordinary course of business. Management believes that any liabilities arising from these claims and contingencies would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s annual results of operations or financial condition.

 

8. INCOME TAXES

 

The provision for income taxes consists of the following:

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,

     2004

    2003

   2002

Current tax provision

                     

Federal

   $ 10,785,856     $ 173,542    $ —  

State

     1,835,691       91,931      —  
    


 

  

Total current provision

     12,621,547       265,473      —  

Deferred tax provision (benefit)

                     

Federal

     (399,126 )     —        —  

State

     (46,076 )     —        —  
    


 

  

Total deferred tax provision (benefit)

     (445,202 )     —        —  
    


 

  

Total income tax provision

   $ 12,176,345     $ 265,473    $ —  
    


 

  

 

The Company’s income tax benefit of net operating loss carry forwards utilized in 2004 aggregated $12.1 million for current federal income taxes and $7.5 million for current state income taxes. The income tax benefit of net operating loss carryforwards utilized in 2003 aggregated $3.1 million for current federal income taxes and $200,000 for current state income taxes. As of December 31, 2004, the Company has utilized all of its net operating loss carry forwards.

 

F-16


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Deferred taxes are provided for those items reported in different periods for income tax and financial reporting purposes. The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities are presented below:

 

     December 31,

 
     2004

   2003

 

Current deferred tax assets:

               

Net operating loss carry forwards

   $ —      $ 13,143,516  

Non-employee option expense

     673,434      476,486  

Employee option expense

     57,778      192,375  

Inventory

     193,437      181,762  

Alternative minimum tax credit

     —        173,542  

Accrued expenses and reserves

     962,698      1,205,568  
    

  


Total current deferred tax assets

     1,887,347      15,373,249  

Non current deferred tax liabilities:

               

Property and equipment

     1,442,145      1,693,358  
    

  


Valuation allowance

     —        (13,679,891 )
    

  


Net deferred tax assets

   $ 445,202    $ —    
    

  


 

A reconciliation of income taxes based on the federal statutory rate and the provision for income taxes, had one been provided, is summarized as follows:

 

     December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

 

Income tax (benefit) at the federal statutory rate

   35.0 %   35.0 %   (35.0 )%

State tax (benefit), net of federal (benefit)

   2.9     0.8     (2.9 )

Increase (decrease) in valuation allowance

   (19.8 )   (41.8 )   25.3  

Permanent differences

   0.5     0.2     10.2  

Other

   (0.3 )   8.0     2.4  
    

 

 

Effective tax (benefit) rate

   18.3 %   2.2  %   —   %
    

 

 

 

9. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Preferred stock

 

The Company has one class of preferred stock outstanding: Class B Convertible Preferred Stock (“Class B Stock”). The Class B Stock has five series: Series I, Series II, Series III, Series IV, and Series V.

 

Class B

 

The Company has authorized 5,000,000 shares of $1 par value Class B Convertible Preferred Stock which have been allocated among Series I, II, III, IV and V in the amounts of 199,400; 289,000; 137,745; 556,000; and 1,389,971 shares, respectively. The remaining 2,427,884 authorized shares have not been assigned a series.

 

F-17


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Series I Class B

 

There were 1,000,000 shares of $1 par value Series I Class B Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series I Class B Stock”) issued and 199,400 and 229,400 shares outstanding at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Holders of Series I Class B Stock are entitled to receive a cumulative annual dividend of $.50 per share, payable quarterly if declared by the board of directors. At December 31, 2004 and 2003 approximately $50,000 and $2,561,000, respectively, of dividends which have not been declared were in arrears.

 

Series I Class B Stock is redeemable after three years from the date of issuance at the option of the Company at a price of $7.50 per share, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends. Each share of Series I Class B Stock may, at the option of the stockholder, be converted to one share of Common Stock after three years from the date of issuance or in the event the Company files an initial registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933. Pursuant to these terms, a total of 30,000 shares of Series I Class B Stock were converted into Common Stock in 2004. In the event of voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company, holders of Series I Class B Stock then outstanding are entitled to $6.25 per share, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends prior to any distributions to holders of Series II Class B Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series II Class B Stock”), Series III Class B Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series III Class B Stock”), Series IV Class B Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series IV Class B Stock”), Series V Class B Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series V Class B Stock”) or Common Stock.

 

Series II Class B

 

There were 1,000,000 shares of $1 par value Series II Class B Stock issued and there were 289,000 and 418,500 shares outstanding at December 31, 2004 and 2003. Holders of Series II Class B Stock are entitled to receive a cumulative annual dividend of $1.00 per share, payable quarterly if declared by the board of directors. Holders of Series II Class B Stock generally have no voting rights until dividends are in arrears and unpaid for twelve consecutive quarters. In such case, the holders of Series II Class B Stock have the right to elect one-third of the board of directors of the Company. At December 31, 2004 and 2003, approximately $167,000 and $4,487,000, respectively, of dividends which have not been declared were in arrears.

 

Series II Class B Stock is redeemable after three years from the date of issuance at the option of the Company at a price of $15.00 per share plus all accrued and unpaid dividends. Each share of Series II Class B Stock may, at the option of the stockholder, be converted to one share of Common Stock after three years from the date of issuance or in the event the Company files an initial registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933. Pursuant to these terms, 129,500 shares of Series II Class B Stock were converted into Common Stock in 2004. In the event of voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company, holders of Series II Class B Stock then outstanding are entitled to $12.50 per share, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends, after distribution obligations to holders of Series I Class B Stock have been satisfied and prior to any distributions to holders of Series III Class B Stock, Series IV Class B Stock, Series V Class B Stock or Common Stock.

 

Series III Class B

 

There were 1,160,445 shares of $1 par value Series III Class B Stock issued and 137,745 and 145,245 shares outstanding at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Holders of Series III Class B Stock are entitled to receive a cumulative annual dividend of $1.00 per share, payable quarterly if declared by the board of directors. At December 31, 2004 and 2003, approximately $2,582,000 and $2,440,000, respectively, of dividends which have not been declared were in arrears.

 

Series III Class B Stock is redeemable after three years from the date of issuance at the option of the Company at a price of $15.00 per share, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends. Each share of Series III Class B Stock may, at the option of the stockholder, be converted to one share of Common Stock

 

F-18


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

after three years from the date of issuance or in the event the Company files an initial registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933. Pursuant to these terms, 7,500 shares of Series III Class B Stock were converted into Common Stock in 2004. In the event of voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company, holders of Series III Class B Stock then outstanding are entitled to $12.50 per share, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends, after distribution obligations to Series I Class B Stock and Series II Class B Stock have been satisfied and prior to any distributions to holders of Series IV Class B Stock, Series V Class B Stock or Common Stock.

 

Series IV Class B

 

There were 1,133,800 shares issued and 556,000 and 1,066,000 shares outstanding at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Holders of Series IV Class B Stock are entitled to receive a cumulative annual dividend of $1.00 per share, payable quarterly, if declared by the board of directors. Holders of Series IV Class B Stock generally have no voting rights. At December 31, 2004 and 2003, approximately $4,813,000 and $3,932,000 respectively of dividends which have not been declared were in arrears.

 

Series IV Class B Stock is redeemable after three years from the date of issuance at the option of the Company at a price of $11.00 per share plus all accrued and unpaid dividends. Each share of Series IV Class B Stock may, at the option of the stockholder any time subsequent to three years from date of issuance, be converted into one share of Common Stock, or in the event the Company files an initial registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933. Pursuant to these terms, 510,000 shares of Series IV Class B Stock were converted into Common Stock in 2004. In the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders of Series IV Class B Stock then outstanding are entitled to receive liquidating distributions of $11.00 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends after distribution obligations to Series I Class B Stock, Series II Class B Stock, and Series III Class B Stock have been satisfied and prior to any distribution to holders of Series V Class B Stock or Common Stock.

 

Series V Class B

 

There were 2,416,221 shares issued and 1,389,971 and 1,732,071 outstanding at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Series V Class B Stock ranks senior to the Company’s Common Stock with respect to dividends and upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, but secondary to the Company’s Series I Class B Stock, Series II Class B Stock, Series III Class B Stock, and Series IV Class B Stock. Holders of Series V Class B Stock are entitled to receive a cumulative annual dividend of $0.32 per share, payable quarterly, if declared by the board of directors. Holders of Series V Class B Stock generally have no voting rights. At December 31, 2004 and 2003, approximately $1,597,000 and $1,098,000, respectively, of dividends which have not been declared were in arrears.

 

Series V Class B Stock is redeemable after two years from the date of issuance at the option of the Company at a price of $4.40 per share plus all accrued and unpaid dividends. Each share of Series V Class B Stock may, at the option of the stockholder any time subsequent to the date of issuance, be converted into Common Stock. Pursuant to the terms of the certificate of designation, 342,100 shares of Series V Class B Stock were converted into Common Stock in 2004. In the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company, holders of Series V Class B Stock then outstanding are entitled to receive liquidating distributions of $4.40 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends after distribution obligations to Series I Class B Stock, Series II Class B Stock, Series III Class B Stock and Series IV Class B Stock have been satisfied and prior to any distribution to the holders of the Common Stock.

 

Common stock

 

The Company is authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of no par value Common Stock, of which 23,201,998 and 22,141,964 shares are issued and outstanding at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

F-19


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements
10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The Company has a lease with Mill Street Enterprises (“Mill Street”), a sole proprietorship owned by a former Board member, for sales and marketing offices in Lewisville, Texas. During the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Company paid $37,700, $34,800, and $34,800, respectively, under this lease. This lease will be terminated in the second quarter of 2005.

 

During the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Company paid $13,578 and $15,238 and $10,412, respectively, to family members of its chief executive officer for various consulting services.

 

The Company had a consulting agreement with MediTrade International Corporation, a company controlled by Lillian E. Salerno, a 10% shareholder. The contract was terminated on February 28, 2005. Ms. Salerno was paid $16,667 per month and reimbursed for business expenses incurred on behalf of the Company, not to exceed $5,000 per month without prior approval for the term of the contract. During the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002 the Company paid $304,282, $253,952, and $201,120, respectively, under this agreement.

 

The Company has a license agreement with an officer of the Company. See Note 5. An officer of the Company has a Covenant Not to Sue Agreement with the Company. See Note 12.

 

11. STOCK OPTIONS

 

Stock options

 

The Company has three stock option plans that provide for the granting of stock options to officers, employees and other individuals. During 1999, the Company approved the 1999 Stock Option Plan. The 1999 Plan is the only plan with stock options currently being awarded. The Company has reserved 4,000,000 shares of Common Stock for use upon the exercise of options under this plan.

 

The Company also has options for common shares outstanding under the 1996 Incentive Stock Option Plan and the 1996 Stock Option Plan for Directors and Other Individuals. A committee appointed by the Board of Directors administers all plans and determines exercise prices at which options are granted. Shares exercised come from the Company’s authorized but unissued Common Stock. The options vest over periods up to three years from the date of grant and generally expire ten years after the date of grant. All unvested options issued under the plans expire three months after termination of employment or service to the Company.

 

A summary of director, officer and employee options granted and outstanding under the Plans is presented below:

 

     Years Ended December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

 
     Shares

    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price


    Shares

    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price


    Shares

    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price


 

Outstanding at beginning of period

   2,589,160     $ 8.36     1,748,780     $ 8.21     1,191,280     $ 8.90  

Granted

   131,775       8.61     897,300     $ 8.65     589,580       6.90  

Exercised

   —         —       —         —       —            

Forfeited

   (86,050 )     (8.36 )   (56,920 )   $ (8.59 )   (32,080 )     (9.71 )
    

 


 

 


 

 


Outstanding at end of period

   2,634,885     $ 8.37     2,589,160     $ 8.36     1,748,780     $ 8.21  
    

 


 

 


 

 


Exercisable at end of period

   1,295,030     $ 8.74     1,293,580     $ 8.78     901,505     $ 8.44  

Weighted average fair value of options granted during period

         $ 2.02           $ 2.42           $ 0.07  

 

F-20


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

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 2004, 2003 and 2002: no dividend yield; expected volatility of 37%, 1.30% and 1.57%, respectively; risk free interest rates of 4.89%, 3.53% and 4.00%, respectively; and expected lives of 9.0, 9.3 and 10.0 years, respectively.

 

The following table summarizes information about director, officer and employee options outstanding under the aforementioned plans at December 31, 2004:

 

Exercise
Prices


  

Shares
Outstanding


   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life


   Shares
Exercisable


$  1.00

   60,280    1.32    60,280

$  5.00

   152,300    2.32    152,300

$10.00

   900,450    4.89    900,450

$  6.90

   534,080    7.75    32,000

$  8.65

   856,000    7.75    125,000

$  7.50

   25,000    4.36    25,000

$  8.87

   106,775    9.36    —  

 

Non-employee options

 

Options were granted to non-employees during the years ended December 31 as follows:

 

     Years Ended December 31,

     2004

   2003

    2002

     Shares

   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price


   Shares

    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price


    Shares

   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price


Outstanding at beginning of period

   843,639    $ 6.15    847,139     $ 6.17     378,200    $ 8.95

Granted

   —        —      —         —       468,939      3.93

Exercised

   —        —      —         —       —        —  

Forfeited

   —        —      (3,500 )     (10.00 )   —        —  
    
  

  

 


 
  

Outstanding at end of period

   843,639    $ 6.15    843,639     $ 6.15     847,139    $ 6.17
    
  

  

 


 
  

Exercisable at end of period

   843,639    $ 6.15    843,639     $ 6.15     799,137    $ 5.94

Weighted average fair value of options granted during period

        $ —            $ —            $ 1.94

 

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 2002: no dividend yield; expected volatility of 1.64%; risk-free interest rate of 3.50%; and expected life of 8.5 years.

 

F-21


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

The following table summarizes information about non-employee options outstanding under the aforementioned plan at December 31, 2004:

 

Exercise
Prices


   Shares
Outstanding


   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life


   Shares
Exercisable


$  1.00

   263,939    .70    263,939

$  5.00

   30,000    2.36    30,000

$10.00

   317,200    5.11    317,200

$  6.90

   232,500    7.76    232,500

 

12. LITIGATION SETTLEMENTS

 

In the second quarter of 2003 the Company reached settlement agreements with Premier Inc.; Premier Purchasing Partners, L.P.; VHA, Inc.; Novation, L.L.C.; Tyco International (US) Inc.; and Tyco Healthcare Group L.P. in its federal antitrust lawsuit, Retractable Technologies, Inc. v. Becton Dickinson & Co. et al. As part of the settlements, the litigation against Premier, VHA, Novation, and Tyco has been dismissed.

 

Although specific terms are confidential, the agreements include cash payments and other financial consideration as well as provisions that are intended to facilitate the sale of our VanishPoint® products to Premier and Novation member facilities. In exchange for the settlement provisions, we have agreed to give up our claims against these companies.

 

The initial cash payment of $29,125,000 was paid in 2003. The Company received net cash payments of $13,879,511 of the cash payment in 2003. These proceeds were net of attorneys’ fees, court costs, legal expenses, and amounts paid to Mr. Shaw.

 

Pursuant to a Covenant Not to Sue agreement entered into on September 19, 2001, between the Company and Thomas J. Shaw, individually, Mr. Shaw received $728,609 of the initial cash payment in 2003.

 

Total attorneys’ fees, court costs, and legal expenses were $14,516,880 paid in May 2003 and $4,250,000 paid in December 2003.

 

As part of the settlement agreements, a discount reimbursement program of $8,000,000, which is net of legal fees, was established whereby the Company is being provided quarterly reimbursements for certain discounts given to participating facilities. The Company offers certain discounts to participating facilities and is being reimbursed for such discounts. These payments are recognized upon delivery of products provided collection is reasonably assured. Reimbursements of $385,757 were recorded as of December 31, 2004.

 

In April 2004 $14,125,000 was paid into the registry of the court under the terms of settlement agreements reached in the second quarter of 2003 with Premier Inc; Premier Purchasing Partners, L.P.; VHA, Inc.; Novation, L.L.C.; Tyco International (US) Inc; and Tyco Healthcare Group L.P. in its federal antitrust lawsuit, Retractable Technologies, Inc. v. Becton Dickinson & Co. (“BD”) et al. The Company received $8,051,250 in connection with this payment. The amount received by the Company is net of attorneys’ fees, court costs, legal expenses, and the amount paid to Mr. Shaw.

 

Pursuant to a Covenant Not to Sue agreement, Mr. Shaw received $423,750 as a result of this payment to the Company under the settlement agreements.

 

The Company’s litigation attorneys received $5,650,000 of the April 2004 payment.

 

Effective July 2, 2004, the Company entered into a Settlement Agreement and Release with BD (the “Settlement Agreement”). Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, BD delivered within two (2)

 

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Index to Financial Statements

business days, One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000.00) into the registry of the Court. This amount was received on July 7, 2004. The Company received $65.5 million of the proceeds which is net of attorney fees and expenses and approximately $3.4 million paid to Thomas J. Shaw, President and CEO, under a Covenant Not to Sue.

 

The Company realized an additional $433,808 in December 2004 as the remaining proceeds from the BD Settlement Agreement were distributed. The amount realized is net of $22,832 realized by Mr. Shaw pursuant to a Covenant Not to Sue.

 

Effective as of April 27, 2004, the Company and Thomas J. Shaw entered into a Settlement Agreement and Release (the “NMT Settlement Agreement”) with New Medical Technology, Inc.; New Medical Technology, LTD. and NMT Group PLC (collectively “NMT”). Pursuant to the NMT Settlement Agreement NMT and all parties acting in concert with them are enjoined from importing the NMT Safety Syringe into the United States and from making, using, selling, or offering to sell the NMT Safety Syringe within the United States until the lapse or expiration of the subject patents. In addition NMT paid One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) to the Company.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Item 8. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

The Company had no change in accountants in the last two fiscal years.

 

Item 8A. Controls and Procedures

 

Pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 13a-15 or Rule 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and on March 29, 2005, our President, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer, Thomas J. Shaw (the “CEO”), and our Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Douglas W. Cowan (the “CFO”), acting in their capacities as our principal executive and financial officers, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or Rule 15d-15(e) and determined that, as of December 31, 2004, and based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures as required by paragraph (b) of Rule 13a-15 or Rule 15d-15 there were no significant deficiencies in these procedures. The CEO and CFO determined that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

 

Also, the CEO and CFO did not identify any deficiencies or material weaknesses in our internal controls, nor did they identify fraud that involved our management or any other employee who had a significant role in our internal controls. They did not find any deficiencies or weaknesses which would require changes to be made or corrective actions to be taken related to our internal controls. There have been no changes during the fourth quarter of 2004 or subsequent to December 31, 2004, in our internal controls over financial reporting or in any other factor that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

Item 8B. Other Information

 

Effective as of March 28, 2005, the Audit Committee approved Policies and Procedures Regarding Complaints. A copy of this document is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.

 

PART III

 

Item 9. Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters, and Control Persons; Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act

 

The following table sets forth information concerning our Directors, executive officers, and certain of our significant employees as of the date of this filing. Our Board of Directors consists of a total of nine (9) members, four (4) members of which are Class 1 Directors and five (5) of which are Class 2 Directors which serve for two-year terms.

 

Name


  

Age


  

Position


  

Term as
Director Expires


EXECUTIVES

              
Thomas J. Shaw    54    Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Class 2 Director    2006
Steven R. Wisner    47    Executive Vice President, Engineering & Production and Class 2 Director    2006
Lawrence G. Salerno    45    Director of Operations    N/A
Russell B. Kuhlman    51    Vice President, Sales, and Class 1 Director    2005
Kathryn M. Duesman    42    Executive Director, Global Health    N/A
Douglas W. Cowan    61    Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Class 2 Director    2006
Michele M. Larios    38    Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary    N/A

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

              
Clarence Zierhut    76    Class 2 Director    2006
Marwan Saker    49    Class 2 Director    2006
Jimmie Shiu    71    Class 1 Director    2005
Patti S. King    47    Class 1 Director    2005
Marco Laterza    57    Class 1 Director    2005

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Name


  

Age


  

Position


  

Term as
Director Expires


SIGNIFICANT EMPLOYEES

              
Phillip L. Zweig    58    Communications Director    N/A
Judy Ni Zhu    46    Research and Development Manager    N/A
James A. Hoover    57    Director of Quality Assurance    N/A
Weldon G. Evans    63    Manager of Manufacturing Engineering    N/A
Roni Diaz    34    Director of Regulatory Affairs    N/A
John W. Fort III    36    Director of Accounting    N/A
R. John Maday    45    Production Manager    N/A

 

EXECUTIVES

 

Thomas J. Shaw, the Founder of the Company, has served as Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director since the Company’s inception. In addition to his duties overseeing the management of the Company, he continues to lead our design team in product development of other medical safety devices that utilize his unique patented friction ring technology. Mr. Shaw has over 25 years of experience in industrial product design and has developed several solutions to complicated mechanical engineering challenges. He has been granted multiple patents and has additional patents pending. Mr. Shaw received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Arizona and a Master of Science in Accounting from the University of North Texas.

 

Steven R. Wisner joined us in October 1999 as Executive Vice President, Engineering and Production and Director. Mr. Wisner’s responsibilities include the management of engineering, production, quality assurance, Chinese operations, and international sales. Mr. Wisner has over 27 years of experience in product design, development and manufacturing. Mr. Wisner holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from Iowa State University.

 

Lawrence G. Salerno has been employed with us since 1995 and has served as Director of Operations for us since 1998. He is responsible for the manufacture of all VanishPoint® products, as well as all product development and process development projects. In addition, he supervised all aspects of the construction of our facilities in Little Elm, Texas. Mr. Salerno is the brother of Lillian E. Salerno, a shareholder holding more than 10 percent of the Common Stock.

 

Russell B. Kuhlman joined us in February 1997 and is our Vice President, Sales and a Director. Mr. Kuhlman joined the Board of Directors in 2001. Mr. Kuhlman is responsible for management of the sales force and liaison with GPOs and product training for our sales organization, as well as distribution. Mr. Kuhlman’s efforts with us have resulted in bringing onboard Specialty Distributors, influencing legislation, and educating influential healthcare representatives about the benefits of the VanishPoint® product line. Mr. Kuhlman is respected throughout the industry and is a main contributor to the safety effort in this country. He has a sales background in the medical service industry that includes his most recent work for ICU Medical (formerly Bio-Plexus), a medical device manufacturing company, from 1994 to 1997, where he developed strategic marketing plans for new safety products. Prior to his work there, Mr. Kuhlman worked as Director of Sales and Marketing for Ryan Winfield Medical, Inc., a medical device manufacturing company, from 1989 to 1994, where he launched several new products, developed strategic sales territories, and was the trainer for Sales and Regional Managers. Mr. Kuhlman also worked for BD Vacutainer® Systems, a medical products company, in several territories from 1980 to 1989, where he was recognized as the National Sales Representative for the year 1987. Mr. Kuhlman holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Tennessee.

 

Kathryn M. Duesman, RN, joined us in 1996 and currently serves as the Executive Director, Global Health. She provides clinical expertise on existing VanishPoint® products as well as those in development. She has been instrumental in developing training and marketing materials and has spoken and been published on needle safety issues. Ms. Duesman has provided needle safety training to healthcare organizations, schools of nursing and government agencies. In 1996, Ms. Duesman served as a Registered Nurse (“RN”) at Denton Community Hospital. From 1995 to part of 1996, Ms. Duesman served as a RN at Pilot Point Home Health, an agency for home healthcare. From 1992 to 1995, Ms. Duesman served as a RN

 

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Index to Financial Statements

for Denton Community Hospital. Ms. Duesman is a 1985 graduate of Texas Woman’s University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Ms. Duesman’s clinical background as a registered nurse includes diagnostic, acute, and home healthcare nursing.

 

Douglas W. Cowan is a Vice President and our Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and a Director. Mr. Cowan joined the Company as Chief Financial Officer and was elected to the Board of Directors in 1999. He is responsible for the financial, accounting, risk management and forecasting functions of the Company. Mr. Cowan has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Technological College. He is a CPA licensed in Texas.

 

Michele M. Larios joined us in February 1998 and currently serves as a Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company. Ms. Larios is responsible for the legal and legislative, quality assurance, human resource and regulatory functions of the Company. In addition to working on legal matters and with outside counsel, Ms. Larios works with legislators on pertinent issues and relevant legislation. Ms. Larios received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, California, and a Juris Doctorate from Pepperdine University School of Law in Malibu, California.

 

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

 

Clarence Zierhut has served on our Board of Directors since April 1996. Since 1955, Mr. Zierhut has operated an industrial design firm, Zierhut Design, now Origin Design, that develops new products from concept through final prototypes. During his professional career, Mr. Zierhut has created over 3,000 product designs for more than 350 companies worldwide, in virtually every field of manufacturing, and has won many international awards for design excellence. His clients have included Johnson & Johnson, Abbott Laboratories, Gould, and McDonnell Douglas. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, California.

 

Marwan Saker first joined our Board of Directors in June 2000. Since 1983, Mr. Saker has served as Chief Executive Officer of Sovana, Inc., an export management company that supplies agricultural equipment and supplies to overseas markets. Since 2000, he has served as Director of Consolidated Food Concepts Inc. From 1991 to 2001, Mr. Saker served as a Director of Meridian Marketing & Logistics Inc., an international transportation and home furnishing distribution company. Since 1986, he has served as President of International Exports & Consulting Inc., an export management, consulting and distribution company. Since 2000, he has served as Vice President of Hanneke Corp., an overseas sourcing company. From 1998 to 2001, he served as a Member of My Investments, LLC, an equity investment company. Since 1999, he has served as President of Saker Investments Inc., a company that manages an investment portfolio. Since 1998, he has served as a General Partner of Maya Investments, Ltd., an investment management limited partnership. He also serves as a Member of MMDA, LLC, a real estate development company. Mr. Saker has acted as a representative for United States companies seeking distribution, licensing, and franchising in the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa. Mr. Saker was instrumental in developing successful partnerships in more than 15 countries. He offices in Dallas, Texas.

 

Jimmie Shiu, M.D. joined us again as a class 1 Director effective as of March 15, 2005. He previously served as a Director for the Company from 1996 to 2002 (both generally elected and elected by the Series A Convertible Preferred Stockholders). Prior to retirement in 1998, Dr. Shiu was in private practice as a Board Certified Otolaryngologist at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas for 31 years. Dr. Shiu completed his undergraduate work at Abilene Christian University and received his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Texas.

 

Patti S. King joined us as a Class 1 Director effective March 15, 2005. She has over 25 years of healthcare experience including patient care in respiratory therapy and cardiopulmonary technology, clinical data research, clinical software development, sales, sales management, and national account (group purchasing) business development. She currently serves as a consultant and expert witness in health care antitrust and patent infringement cases. She specializes in group purchasing organization contracting and business practices that result in market access issues affecting and impacting consumer choice, innovation, and competition in the domestic health care market. From 1998 to 2001, Ms. King served as the owner of The KLP Company where she was responsible for

 

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Index to Financial Statements

clinical outcome research and clinical contracting strategies. From 1998 to 2002, Ms. King was the owner of King Roswell where she addressed Hospital Group Purchasing and business development strategies. Since 2000 Ms. King has served as the owner of GPO Experts where she provided services as an expert witness in healthcare litigation. Finally, in 2003, Ms. King founded The Foundation for Healthcare Integrity to advocate the restoration of consumer choice, innovation, and competition in the domestic hospital market through the development of business practices solutions. Since 2003, Ms. King has served on the GPO Taskforce of the Medical Device Manufacturers Association. Since April 2004 she has served on the Advisory Board for The Center for Collaborative Health Care and Patient Advocacy.

 

Marco Laterza joined us as a Class 1 Director effective as of March 22, 2005. Since 1988, Mr. Laterza has owned and operated a public accounting practice. His practice includes corporate, partnership and individual taxation, compilation/review of financial statements, financial planning, business consulting and trusts and estates. From 2004 to the present Mr. Laterza has also served as the Chief Financial Officer for EZ Blue Software Corporation, a development stage software company. Formerly, Mr. Laterza was employed in a number of positions from 1977 to 1985 with El Paso Natural Gas Company eventually serving as its Director of Accounting. Mr. Laterza received his Bachelors of Business Administration in Accounting from Pace University in 1972. He is a Certified Public Accountant and has received a Certificate of Educational Achievement in Personal Financial Planning from the American Institute of CPAs.

 

SIGNIFICANT EMPLOYEES

 

Phillip L. Zweig joined us in December 1999 as Communications Director. Mr. Zweig is a prize winning financial journalist who has worked as a staff reporter at The American Banker, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg Business News, and other media organizations. From 1993 to 1998, he served as Corporate Finance Editor at Business Week where he wrote a major article on the Company. Before joining us, he worked as a freelance financial writer and editorial consultant. His clients included Andersen Consulting and Boston Consulting Group. Mr. Zweig received a Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Psychology from Hamilton College and a Master of Business Administration from the Baruch College Graduate School of Business.

 

Judy Ni Zhu joined us in 1995 and is our Research and Development Manager. Her primary focus is on new product development and improvement of current products. Prior to joining us, Ms. Zhu worked with Checkmate Engineering, an engineering firm, as a design engineer on the original 3cc syringe and other SBIR grant projects. Ms. Zhu received her Bachelor of Science from Northwest Polytechnic University in Xian, China, and her Master of Engineering from University of Texas at Arlington. Ms. Zhu has assisted in design modifications for the 3cc syringe, which have maximized both product reliability and production efficiency. She also designed and developed a manual needle assembly machine and an automatic lubricating and capping system for the 3cc syringe and developed and assisted in the design of automated blood collection tube holder assembly equipment. Ms. Zhu has collaborated with Ms. Duesman and Mr. Shaw in the filing of several patent applications.

 

James A. Hoover joined us in February 1996 and is our Director of Quality Assurance. Prior to his becoming Director of Quality Assurance he was Production Manager. He is responsible for quality assurance functions of the Company. Mr. Hoover has also developed and implemented FDA required procedures and has been involved in the FDA inspection process. Mr. Hoover joined us after working for Sherwood for 26 years. During his tenure with Sherwood, a medical device manufacturing company, he gained hands-on experience in all aspects of the medical device manufacturing process. Mr. Hoover began his career with Sherwood as a materials handler and worked his way up through a series of positions with added responsibilities to his final position there as Production Manager of Off-Line Molding, Operating Room/Critical Care. In this capacity, he managed several departments, ran several product lines, and hired and supervised over 200 employees. While at Sherwood, he also gained experience with one of the country’s first safety syringes, the Monoject®.

 

Weldon G. Evans joined us in October 2000 as Manager of Manufacturing Engineering. His responsibilities include the support of new product development and current production, as well as the creation of new and improved manufacturing processes. Prior to joining us, he served as a senior project engineer with BD, a medical technology company, from 1973 to 2000. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Engineering Administration from Southern Methodist University. Mr. Evans is a member of Pi Tau Sigma National Honorary Mechanical Engineering Society and the American Society of Mechanical Engineering.

 

Roni Diaz is our Director of Regulatory Affairs. She joined us in March 2001 as Manager of Regulatory Affairs. Her responsibilities include development and implementation of company regulatory and quality policies, communication with FDA, European and other medical regulatory authorities, implementation of ISO 13485 and other necessary quality system certifications, obtaining CE mark approvals, generating and maintaining technical files, routine regulatory reports, and regulatory licensures

 

20


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Index to Financial Statements

applications and renewals. Prior to joining us, Ms. Diaz served as a Regulatory/Clinical Project Manager for MedTrials, a medical device and pharmaceutical consulting firm. From 1996–1999, she worked for Arthrocare, a medical device manufacturer, as a regulatory/clinical affairs associate. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences from San Jose State University. Ms. Diaz is a member of the Regulatory Affairs Professional Society and holds a Regulatory Affairs Certification.

 

John W. Fort III is our Director of Accounting. Mr. Fort joined us in March of 2000 as a Financial Analyst and has served as our Director of Accounting since October of 2002. His primary responsibilities include managing the day-to-day operations of the Accounting and Finance Department, coordination of the annual audits, and interim reviews by our independent accountants, as well as the cost accounting and forecasting functions of the Company. Prior to joining us, he served as the Manager of Financial Planning for the product-marketing department of Excel Communications Mr. Fort also served as the Manager of Budgeting and Projections for Snelling and Snelling, Inc., an international personnel services firm. Mr. Fort holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Tarleton State University.

 

R. John Maday joined us in July 1999 and is our Production Manager. He is responsible for supervision of the production of our products. Prior to becoming Production Manager on January 1, 2005, he served as our Production General Supervisor. Mr. Maday has 21 years of manufacturing experience in both class 2 and 3 medical devices. He spent 3 years with Mentor Corp. supervising two production departments and 13 years with Sherwood Medical in which he gained hands-on experience in all aspects of medical device manufacturing including managing the Kit and Packaging department with over 225 employees. Mr. Maday’s formal training includes FDA, ISO and Total Quality Management Systems.

 

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

 

There are no family relationships among the above persons except as set forth above.

 

INVOLVEMENT IN CERTAIN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

None of the above persons or any business in which such person was an executive officer have been involved in a bankruptcy petition, been subject to a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses), been subject to any order enjoining or suspending their involvement in any type of business, or been found by a court or administrative body to have violated a securities law.

 

DIRECTORSHIPS IN OTHER COMPANIES

 

No Directors hold Directorships in reporting companies other than as set forth above.

 

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

 

Section 16 of the Exchange Act requires our Directors, executive officers, and persons who own more than 10 percent of a registered class of our equity securities to file with the Commission initial reports of beneficial ownership (Form 3) and reports of changes in beneficial ownership (Forms 4 and 5) of our Common Stock and our other equity securities. Officers, Directors, and greater than 10 percent shareholders are required by the Commission’s regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.

 

To our knowledge, all Directors, Officers, and holders of more than 10 percent of our equity securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act filed reports required by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act as of December 31, 2004, with the exception of three officers. In reviewing our records we determined that three officers had each neglected to file three Form 4 (change in ownership reports) for previous grants of options in 2000, 2002, and 2003. All option grants were, however, disclosed in the Company’s quarterly and annual reports. The transactions that should have been included in Form 4 filings include the following: the grant of options for the purchase of an aggregate 47,500 shares of Common Stock to Mr. Steven Wisner, the grant of options for the purchase of an aggregate 175,000 shares of Common Stock to Mr. Douglas W. Cowan and the grant of options for the purchase of an aggregate 174,600 shares of Common Stock to Ms. Michele M. Larios.

 

21


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Index to Financial Statements

CODE OF ETHICS

 

Effective as of March 9, 2004, we adopted a code of ethics that applies to all employees, including, but not limited to, the Company’s principal executive and financial officers, a copy of which is incorporated herein as Exhibit No. 14. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:

 

  1. Honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interests between personal and professional relationships;

 

  2. Full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that we file with, or submit to, the Commission and in other public communications;

 

  3. Compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules, and regulations;

 

  4. The prompt, internal reporting of violations of the code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the code; and

 

  5. Accountability for adherence to the code.

 

We have posted a copy of the code on our website at www.vanishpoint.com. Any amendment to this code or waiver of its application to the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, or controller or similar person shall be disclosed to investors by means of a Form 8-K filing with the Commission. We will provide to any person without charge, upon request, a copy of such code of ethics. Such requests should be submitted in writing to Mr. Douglas W. Cowan at 511 Lobo Lane, P.O. Box 9, Little Elm, Texas 75068-0009.

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE

 

We have a separately-designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act consisting of Clarence Zierhut, Marco Laterza, and Marwan Saker. Each of the members of the Audit Committee is independent as determined by The AMEX rules and Item 7(d)(3) (iv) of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act.

 

Audit Committee Financial Expert

 

Mr. Laterza serves as the Company’s designated Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS COMMITTEE

 

We have a separately designated standing Compensation and Benefits Committee consisting of Clarence Zierhut, Marco Laterza, and Patti King.

 

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

 

We have a separately designated standing Nominating Committee consisting of Marwan Saker, Jimmie Shiu, M.D. and Patti King.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

DISCLOSURE REPRESENTATIVE

 

Patti S. King has been designated as our Disclosure Representative. Communications intended for the Board of Directors should be addressed to the Disclosure Representative and/or Patti King and sent to 511 Lobo Lane, P.O. Box 9, Little Elm, Texas 75068-0009.

 

Item 10. Executive Compensation

 

The following summary compensation table sets forth the total annual compensation paid or accrued by us to or for the account of the Chief Executive Officer and the four highest paid additional executive officers whose total cash compensation exceeded $100,000 for any of the past three fiscal years:

 

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

 

          Annual Compensation

        Long-Term Compensation

                         Awards

   Payout(s)

    

Name and Principal

Position


   Year

   Salary($)

   Bonus($)

  

Other

Annual

Compensation($)


   Restricted
Stock
Award(s) ($)


   Securities
Underlying
Options/
SARs (#)


   LTIP
Payouts ($)


   All Other
Compensation ($)


Thomas J. Shaw,

President and CEO

   2002
2003
2004
   250,016
250,016
259,632
                             

Steven R. Wisner,

Executive Vice President,

Engineering and Production

   2002
2003
2004
   150,010
191,544
249,231
   0
40,200
             20,000
12,500

3,900
         

Douglas W. Cowan,

Vice President,

Chief Financial Officer,

and Treasurer

   2002
2003
2004
   142,501
187,501
249,231
   0
37,400
             25,000
125,000

4,000
         

Michele M. Larios,

Vice President,

General Counsel, and

Secretary

   2002
2003
2004
   122,437
183,462
249,231
   28,500
62,100
             25,000
124,600

4,100
         

Russell B. Kuhlman,

Vice President, Sales

   2002
2003
2004
   105,019
105,020
125,691
   1,000
24,700
             20,000
79,400
1,900
         

 

The following sets forth the total individual grants of stock options and freestanding stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) made by us to persons listed in the above Summary Compensation Table during the last completed fiscal year:

 

Option/SAR Grants in Last Fiscal Year*
Individual Grants

Name


   Number of Securities
Underlying Options/SARs
Granted (#)


   Percent of Total
Options/SARs Granted to
Employees in Fiscal Year


    Exercise or
Base Price
($/Sh)


   Expiration
Date


Thomas J. Shaw

   0    N/A       N/A    N/A

Steven R. Wisner

   3,900    3.7 %   $ 8.87    5/11/14

Douglas W. Cowan

   4,000    3.7 %   $ 8.87    5/11/14

Michele M. Larios

   4,100    3.8 %   $ 8.87    5/11/14

Russell B Kuhlman

   1,900    1.8 %   $ 8.87    5/11/14

 

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* The options were issued under the 1999 Stock Option Plan as amended which is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 3.12 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10-SB filed on June 23, 2000, and Exhibit No. 10.13 of the Company’s Form 10-KSB filed on March 31, 2003. These options are exercisable three years after the date of grant.

 

The following sets forth information regarding year-end value of the unexercised options held by the above executives. There were no exercises of options during 2004.

 

Aggregate Option/SAR Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and FY-End Option/SAR Values

Name


  

Shares

Acquired on
Exercise (#)


  

Value

Realized ($)


  

Number of Securities Underlying

Unexercised Options/SARs

at FY-End (#)

Exercisable/Unexercisable


  

Value of Unexercised in-the-

Money Options/SARs at
FY- End ($)

Exercisable/Unexercisable


Thomas J. Shaw

   0    0    0    0

Steven R. Wisner

   0    0    167,500/36,400    $7,000/0

Douglas W. Cowan

   0    0    50,000/154,000    0

Michele M. Larios

   0    0    50,400/153,700    0

Russell B. Kuhlman

   0    0    50,600/101,300    0

 

COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

 

In 2004 we paid each non-employee Director a fee of $250 per meeting. In 2005, we increased the fee to $500 for each Board meeting attended. In the past, the Company has granted to each Director (except Mr. Shaw) stock options for Common Stock. We do not pay any additional amounts for committee participation or special assignment.

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

There are no other employment agreements in place involving other Officers or Directors, except as set forth below:

 

Thomas J. Shaw

 

We have a written employment agreement with Thomas J. Shaw, our President and Chief Executive Officer, for an initial period of three years which ended September 2002 that automatically and continuously renews for consecutive two-year periods. The agreement is terminable either by us or Thomas J. Shaw upon 30 days’ written notice. The agreement provides for an annual salary of at least $150,000 with an annual salary increase equal to no less than the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index during the previous calendar year. The agreement requires that Thomas J. Shaw’s salary shall be reviewed by the Board of Directors each January, which shall make such increases as it considers appropriate. Thomas J. Shaw is also entitled to participate in all executive bonuses as the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, shall determine.

 

Under the employment agreement, we will also provide certain fringe benefits, including, but not limited to, participation in pension plans, profit-sharing plans, employee stock ownership plans, stock appreciation rights, hospitalization and health insurance, disability and life insurance, paid vacation, and sick leave. We also reimburse him for any reasonable and necessary business expenses, including travel and entertainment expenses, necessary to carry on his duties. Pursuant to the employment agreement, we have agreed to indemnify Thomas J. Shaw for all legal expenses and liabilities incurred with any proceeding involving him by reason of his being an officer or agent. We have further agreed to pay reasonable attorney fees and expenses in the event that, in Thomas J. Shaw’s sole judgment, he needs to retain counsel or otherwise expend his personal funds for his defense.

 

Thomas J. Shaw has agreed to a one-year non-compete, not to hire or attempt to hire employees for one year, and to not make known our customers or accounts or to call on or solicit our accounts or

 

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Index to Financial Statements

customers in the event of termination of his employment for one year unless the termination is without cause or pursuant to a change of control of the Company. Furthermore, Mr. Shaw has the right to resign in the event that there is a change in control which is defined as a change in the majority of directors within any 12 month period without two-thirds approval of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote, or a merger where less than 50 percent of the outstanding stock survives and a majority of the Board of Directors remains, or the sale of substantially all of our assets, or any other person acquires more than 50 percent of the voting capital. Mr. Shaw retained the right to participate in other businesses as long as they do not compete with us and so long as he devotes the necessary working time to the Company.

 

Item 11. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

 

The following table sets forth information relating to our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2004:

 

Plan category


  

Number of securities to

be issued upon exercise

of outstanding options,

warrants, and rights

 

(a)


  

Weighted average

exercise price of

outstanding options,

warrants, and rights

 

(b)


  

Number of securities

remaining available

for future issuance

under equity

compensation plans

(excluding securities

reflected in column (a))

 

(c)


Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

   2,956,083    $8.40    2,043,915

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders*

      522,439    $4.59    N/A
    
  
  

Total

   3,478,522    N/A    2,043,915
    
  
  

* In conjunction with a $3 million Loan Agreement and the purchase of 525,000 Series V shares by Katie Petroleum, we issued options for the purchase of 136,439 shares of Common Stock of the Company at an exercise price of $1 per share to Katie Petroleum and two affiliates. The options were exercisable immediately and will expire on September 30, 2005.

 

In conjunction with a $2.5 million working capital loan, purchase of our real estate note and a $1,000,000 construction loan (which was never drawn on) we issued an option to Katie Petroleum for the purchase of 100,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company at an exercise price of $1 per share. The option was exercisable immediately and will expire on June 21, 2005.

 

We authorized the issuance of an option for the purchase of 200,000 shares of Common Stock to Jimmie Shiu, M.D., for his past services in introducing the Company to purchasers of various series of Preferred Stock as well as for introducing the Company to Mr. Jack Jackson, who controlled Katie Petroleum. The option is exercisable at $6.90 per share and will terminate in 2012.

 

We authorized the issuance of an option for the purchase of 25,000 shares of Common Stock to Harry Watson for his past services in assisting the Company in protecting its intellectual property. The option is exercisable at $6.90 per share and will terminate in 2012.

 

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In connection with a Consulting Agreement with International Export and Consulting, we issued an option for the purchase of 61,000 shares of Common Stock to Marwan Saker, a Director. The option is exercisable at $10.00 and will expire in 2010.

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our capital stock as of March 1, 2005, for each person known by us to own beneficially 5 percent or more of the voting capital stock. Except pursuant to applicable community property laws, each shareholder identified in the table possesses sole voting and investment power with respect to his or her shares.

 

Title of Class


  

Name and Address of

Beneficial Owner


   Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership


  

Percent of

Class(1)


Common Stock

              
    

Thomas J. Shaw(2)

511 Lobo Lane, P.O. Box 9

Little Elm, TX 75068-0009

   11,280,000    48.4%
    

Lillian E. Salerno(3)

432 Edwards

Lewisville, TX 75067

   2,734,500    11.7%

Series I-V Class B Stock

              
     Thomas J. Shaw    80,000    3.0%
     Lillian E. Salerno    12,500    less than 1%

(1) The percentages of Common Stock are based on 23,296,998 shares of Common Stock equivalents consisting of 23,204,498 shares of Common Stock outstanding and 92,500 shares of Preferred Stock convertible by the above persons within 60 days of this Report. The percentages of Class B Stock are based on 2,649,616 shares of Class B Stock outstanding.
(2) 80,000 of the shares identified as Common Stock are preferred shares which are eligible for conversion into Common Stock within 60 days of the Report.
(3) 12,500 of the shares identified as Common Stock are preferred shares which are eligible for conversion into Common Stock within 60 days of the Report.

 

There are no arrangements the operation of which would result in a change in control of the Company.

 

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT

 

Title of Class


  

Name and Address of

Beneficial Owner


   Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership


  

Percent of

Class(1)


Common Stock

As a Group

  

Officers and Directors

511 Lobo Lane, P.O. Box 9

Little Elm, TX 75068-0009

   12,466,000    51.0%

As Individuals

   Thomas J. Shaw(2)    11,280,000    46.2%
     Marwan Saker(3)    461,000    1.9%
     Russell B. Kuhlman(4)    50,600    Less than 1%
     Clarence Zierhut(5)    66,000    Less than 1%
     Douglas W. Cowan(6)    50,000    Less than 1%
     Steve R. Wisner(7)    170,000    1%
     Jimmie Shiu(8)    320,000    1.3%
     Michele M. Larios(9)    60,400    Less than 1%
     Marco Laterza    8,000    Less than 1%

Series I-V Class B Stock

              

As a Group

  

Officers and Directors

511 Lobo Lane, P.O. Box 9

Little Elm, TX 75068-0009

   475,000    17.9%

As Individuals

   Thomas J. Shaw    80,000    3.0%
     Marwan Saker    355,000    13.4%
     Jimmie Shiu    40,000    1.5%

(1) The percentages of Common Stock are based on 24,439,998 shares of Common Stock equivalents consisting of 23,204,498 shares of Common Stock outstanding, 475,000 shares of Preferred Stock convertible by the above persons and options for the purchase of 760,500 shares of Common Stock obtainable by the above persons within 60 days of this Report. The percentages of Class B Stock are based on 2,649,616 shares of Class B Stock outstanding.
(2) 80,000 of the 11,280,000 shares identified as Common Stock are preferred shares which are eligible for conversion into Common Stock within 60 days of the Report.
(3) 355,000 shares identified as Common Stock are preferred shares which are eligible for conversion into Common Stock within 60 days of this Report. The shares are held as follows: Saker Investments holds 15,500 shares of Series IV Stock and 25,000 shares of Series V Stock, Sovana Cayman Islands, Inc. holds 300,000 shares of Series IV Stock, and My Investments holds 14,500 shares of Series IV Stock. Mr. Saker is an Officer or Director and shareholder for each of these companies. The remaining 106,000 shares identified as Common Stock are shares obtainable through the exercise of options held by Mr. Saker within 60 days of the Report.
(4) These shares identified as Common Stock are shares acquirable by the exercise of stock options within 60 days of the Report.
(5) These shares identified as Common Stock are shares acquirable by the exercise of stock options within 60 days of the Report.
(6) These shares identified as Common Stock are shares acquirable by the exercise of stock options within 60 days of the Report.
(7) 167,500 of these shares identified as Common Stock are shares acquirable by the exercise of stock options within 60 days of the Report.

 

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(8) 270,000 shares identified as Common Stock are shares acquirable through the exercise of options within 60 days of the Report and 40,000 shares are acquirable through conversion of Preferred Stock within 60 days of the Report.

 

(9) 50,400 of the shares identified as Common Stock are shares acquirable by the exercise of stock options within 60 days of the Report.

 

Item 12. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

 

We believe that all of the transactions set forth below were made on terms no less favorable to us than could have been obtained from unaffiliated third parties.

 

Thomas J. Shaw, our President and Chief Executive Officer who beneficially owned 48.3 percent of the outstanding Common Stock as of March 1, 2005, was paid a licensing fee of $500,000 (amortized over 17 years) by us for the exclusive worldwide licensing rights to manufacture, market, sell, and distribute retractable medical safety products. In addition, Mr. Shaw receives a 5 percent royalty on gross sales of all licensed products sold to customers over the life of the technology licensing agreement. Mr. Shaw was paid a royalty of $923,357 and $2,498,812 for 2003 and 2004, respectively. Mr. Shaw, in 2003 and 2004, received a total of $728,609 and $3,773,446, respectively, from the proceeds of some of the settlements relating to an antitrust lawsuit styled Retractable Technologies, Inc. v. Becton Dickinson & Co., Tyco International (U.S.), Inc., Tyco Healthcare Group, L.P., Novation, L.L.C., VHA, Inc, Premier, Inc., and Premier Purchasing Partners, L.P. pursuant to the terms of the Covenant Not to Sue.

 

Lillian E. Salerno, a shareholder holding more than 10% of the Common Stock, d/b/a Mill Street Enterprises (“Mill Street”), a sole proprietorship, leases offices at 618, 620, 622, and 628 S. Mill Street, in Lewisville, Texas, to us for our marketing and sales department. We expect this lease to be terminated in the second quarter of 2005. This lease is for a five-year period beginning in July 2002 at a monthly rate of $2,900. Lease payments of $34,800 and $37,700 were paid in 2003 and 2004, respectively.

 

The Company had a consulting agreement (to establish contacts with major European entities to develop marketing and distribution channels as well as licensing agreements) with MediTrade International Corporation, a company controlled by Lillian E. Salerno. The contract was terminated on February 28, 2005. MediTrade was paid $16,667 per month and reimbursed for business expenses incurred on behalf of the Company, not to exceed $5,000 per month without prior approval for the term of the contract. During the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, the Company paid $304,282 and $253,952 respectively, under this agreement.

 

Item 13. Exhibits

 

(a) EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description of Document


3(i)   Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of RTI filed August 14, 2000, as amended *
3(ii)   Amended and Restated Bylaws of RTI dated as of the 12th day of July, 2004 **** **** **
10.1   Sample United States Distribution Agreement ***

 

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Index to Financial Statements
Exhibit No.

 

Description of Document


10.2   Sample Foreign Distribution Agreement ***
10.3   Employment Agreement between RTI and Thomas J. Shaw dated as of September 28, 1999 *** (This is a management compensation contract.)
10.4   Technology License Agreement between Thomas J. Shaw and RTI dated the 23rd day of June 1995 ***
10.5   Consulting Agreement entered into on August 23, 2000, between RTI and Lillian Salerno dba Medi-Trade International **
10.6   Loan Agreement among RTI, Katie Petroleum and Thomas J. Shaw as of the 30th day of September, 2002 and Promissory Note *** ***
10.7   Royalty Waiver Agreement entered into among Retractable Technologies, Inc., Thomas J. Shaw, and Suzanne M. August effective as of June 21, 2002 *** **
10.8   RTI’s 1999 Stock Option Plan ***
10.9   First Amendment to 1999 Stock Option Plan *
10.10   1996 Incentive Stock Option Plan of RTI ***
10.11   1996 Stock Option Plan for Directors and Other Individuals ***
10.12   Settlement Agreement and Release by and among RTI, Thomas J. Shaw, New Medical Technology, Inc., New Medical Technology, LTD and NMT Group PLC dated effective as of April 27, 2004**** ****
10.13   Covenant Not to Sue between Thomas J. Shaw and Retractable Technologies, Inc. **** **** **
10.14   Settlement Agreement and Release between Retractable Technologies, Inc. and Becton Dickinson and Company, Inc. dated effective July 2, 2004 **** **** *
14   Retractable Technologies, Inc. Code of Business Conduct and Ethics **** **** ***
31.1   Certification of Principal Executive Officer **** **** ****
31.2   Certification of Principal Financial Officer **** **** ****
32   Section 1350 Certifications **** **** ****
99   Audit Committee Policies and Procedures Regarding Complaints **** **** ****

*   Incorporated herein by reference to RTI’s Form 10-KSB filed on March 31, 2003
**   Incorporated herein by reference to RTI’s Registration Statement on Form 10SB-A filed on October 25, 2000

 

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***    Incorporated herein by reference to RTI’s Registration Statement on Form 10-SB filed on June 23, 2000
****    Incorporated herein by reference to RTI’s Form 8-K filed on July 10, 2002
*** **    Incorporated herein by reference to RTI’s Form 10-QSB filed on August 14, 2002
*** ***    Incorporated herein by reference to RTI’s Form 8-K filed on October 10, 2002
*** *** *    Incorporated herein by reference to RTI’s Form 10-QSB filed on November 14, 2001
**** ****    Incorporated herein by reference to RTI’s Form 8-K filed on April 29, 2004
**** **** *    Incorporated herein by reference to RTI’s Form 8-K filed on July 6, 2004
**** **** **    Incorporated herein by reference to RTI’s Form 10-QSB filed on August 16, 2004
**** **** ***    Incorporated herein by reference to RTI’s Form 10KSB-A2 filed on September 24, 2004
**** **** ****    Filed herewith

 

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

AUDIT FEES

 

The aggregate fees billed by CF & Co., L.L.P. for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements for 2003 and 2004 and the reviews of the financial statements included in the Company’s Forms 10-QSB or services normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings for those fiscal years were $115,415 and $142,718.

 

TAX FEES

 

The aggregate fees billed by CF & Co., L.L.P. for preparation of federal and state income tax returns and tax consulting costs related to notices from taxing authorities for 2003 and 2004 were $10,000 and $11,450, respectively.

 

PRE-APPROVAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

The engagement of CF & Co., L.L.P. was entered into pursuant to the approval policies and procedures of the Audit Committee. The engagement is for audit and tax services which were detailed separately. The Audit Committee returned its approval procedures i.e. they were not delegated to any other party. All of the services were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

RETRACTABLE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

                    (Registrant)

By:

 

/s/ THOMAS J. SHAW


   

THOMAS J. SHAW

   

CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT, AND

   

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Date: March 31, 2005

 

In accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

/s/ Steven R. Wisner


Steven R. Wisner

Executive Vice President, Engineering & Production and Director

03/30/05

/s/ Russell B. Kuhlman


Russell B. Kuhlman

Vice President, Sales and Director

03/30/05

 

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/s/ Douglas W. Cowan


Douglas W. Cowan

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Director

03/31/05

/s/ Clarence Zierhut


Clarence Zierhut

Director

03/30/05

/s/ Jimmie Shiu


Jimmie Shiu

Director

03/30/05

/s/ Patti S. King


Patti S. King

Director

03/31/05

/s/ Marco Laterza


Marco Laterza

Director

03/30/05

 

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