UNITED STATES


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-K


(Mark One)




x
Annual report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011 or




o
Transition report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934for the transition period from                            to


Commission file number 001-10382





SYNERGETICS USA, INC.





(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)





Delaware

20-5715943(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)





3845 Corporate Centre DriveO’Fallon, Missouri

63368(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)





Registrant’s telephone number, including area code


(636) 939-5100





Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:





Title of each class

Name of each exchange on which registeredCommon stock

The Nasdaq Capital Market





Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:


None





(Title of class)





Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No x




Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes o No x




Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YesxNoo


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes o No o




Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o




Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.




Large Accelerated Filer
o
Accelerated Filer
xNon-Accelerated Filer
o
Smaller Reporting Company
x




Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No þ




The aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the closing sales price as reported by The Nasdaq Stock Market as of January 31, 2011, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was $97,805,062.





At October 3, 2011, there were 24,970,884 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.


DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE





Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement for its 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, expected to be held on December 13, 2011, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K where indicated.


2





SYNERGETICS USA, INC.


FORM 10-K


FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JULY 31, 2011





TABLE OF CONTENTS





PagePART IItem 1.
Business
4Item 1A.
Risk Factors
19Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
28Item 2.
Properties
28Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
28Item 4.
[Removed and Reserved]
28PART IIItem 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
28Item 6.
Selected Consolidated Financial Data
29Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
30Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
42Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
42Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
42Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
42Item 9B.
Other Information
43PART IIIItem 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
43Item 11.
Executive Compensation
44Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
44Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
44Item 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
44PART IVItem 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
45Signatures
71Index to Exhibits
72Exhibit 21Exhibit 23.1Exhibit 31.1Exhibit 31.2Exhibit 32.1Exhibit 32.2





3
 Table of Contents





SYNERGETICS USA, INC.





PART I





Item 1. Business





Overview





Synergetics USA, Inc. (“the Company”) is a leading supplier of precision surgical devices. The Company’s primary focus is on the disciplines of ophthalmology and neurosurgery. Our distribution channels include a combination of direct and independent distributor sales organizations and important strategic alliances with market leaders. The Company’s product lines focus upon precision engineered, disposable and reusable devices, procedural kits and the delivery of various energy modalities for the performance of surgery, including: (i) laser energy, (ii) ultrasonic energy, (iii) radio frequency energy for electrosurgery and lesion generation and (iv) visible light energy for illumination, and where applicable, simultaneous infusion (irrigation) of fluids into the operative field. Enterprise-wide sales information is included in Note 15 to the audited condensed consolidated financial statements.





The Company is a Delaware corporation incorporated on June 2, 2005, as a result of the reverse merger of Synergetics, Inc. (“Synergetics”) and Valley Forge Scientific Corp. (“Valley Forge”). Synergetics was founded in 1991. Valley Forge was incorporated in 1980 and became a publicly-held company in November 1989. Prior to the reverse merger of Synergetics and Valley Forge, Valley Forge’s common stock was listed on The NASDAQ Small Cap Market (now known as The NASDAQ Capital Market) and the Boston Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “VLFG.” On September 21, 2005, Synergetics Acquisition Corporation, a wholly owned Missouri subsidiary of Valley Forge, merged with and into Synergetics, and Synergetics thereby became a wholly owned subsidiary of Valley Forge. On September 22, 2005, Valley Forge reincorporated from a Pennsylvania corporation to a Delaware corporation and changed its name to Synergetics USA, Inc. Upon consummation of the merger, the Company’s securities began trading on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the ticker symbol “SURG,” and its shares were voluntarily delisted from the Boston Stock Exchange.





Recent Developments





We had several developments in fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011 that we expect will contribute to the growth of our business in the foreseeable future.





On November 16, 2009, the Company announced the signing of an addendum to its three-year agreement with Codman & Shurtleff, Inc. (“Codman”), a division of Johnson & Johnson.  Under the terms of the revised agreement, Codman has the exclusive right to market and distribute one of the Company’s branded disposable bipolar forceps. Codman began the domestic distribution of the disposable bipolar forceps on December 1, 2009 and international distribution on February 1, 2010. The Codman relationship has been proceeding well and is meeting the Company’s expectations for unit and dollar sales volumes.





On April 1, 2010, the Company announced the closing of a definitive agreement with Stryker Corporation (“Stryker”) in conjunction with the acquisition by Stryker of certain assets from Mutoh Co., Ltd. and its affiliates (“Mutoh”), used to produce the Sonopet Ultrasonic Aspirator control consoles and handpieces (previously marketed under the Omni® brand by Synergetics in the U.S., Canada and several other countries). The agreement included the sale of accounts receivable, open sales orders, inventory and certain intellectual property related to the Omni® product line. The gain from the sale of the Omni® product line to Stryker was $817,000 in fiscal 2010. In the second quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company recorded a $99,000 loss on the sale of this product line, as certain former non-U.S. distributor receivables were deemed to be uncollectible due to the change in the distribution model. In addition, the agreement provides for the Company to supply disposable ultrasonic instrument tips and certain other consumable products used in conjunction with the Sonopet/Omni® ultrasonic aspirator console and handpieces, and pursue certain development projects for new products associated with Stryker’s ultrasonic aspirator products. The Stryker relationship has been proceeding well and is meeting the Company’s expectations for unit and dollar sales volumes.




4
 Table of Contents





Contribution margins for the products supplied to Codman and Stryker have increased, as anticipated, primarily due to the elimination of commercial expenses associated with the distribution of these products. However, sales revenue and gross profit for these products have decreased, as the transfer prices to Codman and Stryker are lower than the previous average direct selling prices.  Unit volumes with respect to these products have at least doubled.





On April 27, 2010, the Company announced that it had entered into a Settlement and License Agreement with Alcon, Inc. (“Alcon”) pursuant to which Alcon agreed to pay the Company $32.0 million, and the Company agreed to produce certain products for distribution by Alcon. The net proceeds to the Company were $21.4 million after contingency payments to attorneys. The Company recognized a gain from this agreement of $2.4 million in the third fiscal quarter of 2010. The remaining $19.0 million has been accounted for as deferred revenue on the balance sheet. As units are shipped to Alcon under a Supply Agreement entered pursuant to the settlement, the Company will be paid an incremental transfer price. In addition, the Company will recognize a portion of the deferred revenue based on the units shipped or as the estimate of the total units to be delivered to Alcon over a period currently estimated to be fifteen years is revised. The Company recognized $696,000 of this deferred revenue during fiscal 2011.





On October 31, 2010, the Company cancelled its non-U.S. receivables revolving credit facility.





On November 30, 2010, the Company extended its revolving credit facility and its equipment line of credit through November 30, 2011.





On December 9, 2010, the Company announced that it signed a product development and consulting agreement with Retinal Solutions, LLC located in Michigan.





On December 14, 2010, the Company announced the introduction of its next generation of the Codman® Malis® electrosurgical generator, the CMC® V.  The new generator is a state-of-the-art, digitally controlled electrosurgical generator that provides surgeons with significant advancements in controls for use with bipolar foot and hand-operated, cutting and coagulating.





On December 22, 2010, Codman elected to exercise its option of exclusive distribution with respect to the bipolar generators and related disposables and accessories. The Company recognized $334,000 of this revenue during fiscal 2011.





On February 16, 2011, the Company retired the debt on its O’Fallon, Missouri facility.





On August 9, 2011, the Company announced that it had elected two new members to its Board of Directors, D. Graeme Thomas and Patricia Williams.




5
 Table of Contents





Summary of Financial Information





The following tables present net sales by category and our results of operations (dollars in thousands):





NET SALES BY CATEGORY





Fiscal Year Ended July 31,2011


Mix


2010


MixOphthalmic

$
34,547



61.9
%

$
31,689



60.9
%Direct Neurosurgery


1,571



2.8
%


8,175



15.7
%Marketing Partners (1)


9,448



16.9
%


4,204



8.1
%Total Neurosurgery


11,019



19.7
%


12,379



23.8
%Original Equipment Manufacturers (“OEM”)(2)


10,007



17.9
%


7,878



15.1
%Other


272



0.5
%


129



0.2
%Total

$
55,845






$
52,075




(1)
Marketing partners’ sales include disposable bipolar forceps and disposable ultrasonic instrument tips and accessories which were previously sold by our direct neurosurgery sales force and our distribution network, which have been transitioned to our marketing partners.


(2)
Revenues from OEM represent sales of electrosurgery generators, related accessories and certain laser probes to Stryker, Codman and Iridex Corporation (“Iridex”).  In addition, deferred revenues of $1.0 million from Codman and Alcon are included in this category for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011.





The increase in sales during fiscal 2011 compared with fiscal 2010 was primarily due to an increase of $2.9 million in ophthalmic sales and a $2.1 increase in OEM sales (including $1.0 million of deferred revenue recognized), partially offset by a $1.4 million decrease in our neurosurgery sales due to the transition of the majority of our direct neurosurgery product sales to our marketing partners.  The largest portion of this decline can be attributed to the loss of $1.1 million of Omni® capital equipment that was included in our direct neurosurgery sales and which the Company no longer sells.  Currently, disposable product sales account for approximately 81 percent of our total product sales.  Overall sales of our disposable products grew $5.0 million, or 12.6 percent, in fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010. Sales of capital equipment, including the sales of Omni®capital equipment, declined by approximately $2.3 million, or 19.0 percent, in fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010. The downward trend, after excluding the loss of the Omni® ultrasonic aspirator sales, is a result of hospitals tightly controlling their capital budgets.





In addition, in connection with the transition of sales to our marketing partners, the Company will begin to report its net sales by category as follows to provide better comparability going forward:





Fiscal Year Ended July 31,2011


Mix


2010


MixOphthalmic

$
34,547



61.9
%

$
31,689



60.9
%OEM(1)


19,455



34.8
%


12,082



23.2
%Other(2)


1,843



3.3
%


8,304



15.9
%Total

$
55,845






$
52,075





(1)
Revenues from OEM represent sales of electrosurgery generators, disposable ultrasonic instrument tips and related accessories, disposable bipolar forceps, related accessories and royalties along with certain laser probes to Stryker, Codman and Iridex.  In addition, deferred revenues of $1.0 million from Codman and Alcon are included in this category for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011.  Revenue from our marketing partners has been combined with the revenue from OEM customers.


(2)
Revenues from Other represent direct neurosurgery revenues and other miscellaneous revenues.





6
 Table of Contents





Information with respect to the breakdown of revenue for domestic and international sales is included in Note 15 to the consolidated audited financial statements.





RESULTS OF OPERATIONS





Fiscal Year Ended July 31,2011


2010


Increase(Decrease)Net Sales

$
55,845


$
52,075



7.2
%Gross Profit


32,724



29,909



9.4
%Gross Profit Margin %


58.6
%


57.4
%


2.1
%Commercial ExpensesSelling


11,474



11,958



(4.0
%)General &Administrative


9,245



8,903



3.8
%Research &Development


3,713



3,008



23.4
%Operating Income


8,292



6,040



37.3
%Operating Margin


14.8
%


11.6
%


27.6
%EBITDA(1)


10,021



11,248



(10.9
%)EBITDA from Operations (1)


10,120



8,033



26.0
%Net Income


5,633



5,733



(1.7
%)Net Income from Operations (1)


5,702



3,678



55.0
%Earnings per share


0.23



0.23



0.0
%Earnings per share from Operations (1)


0.23



0.15



53.3
%Operating Return on average equity (1)


12.0
%


8.9
%


34.8
%Operating Return on average assets (1)


7.6
%


6.4
%


18.8
%


____________


(1)EBITDA, EBITDA from operations, net income from operations, earnings per share from operations, operating return on average equity and operating return on average assets are not financial measures recognized by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).  EBITDA is defined as net income before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization.    EBITDA from operations is defined as net income (net of one-time events) before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization.  Net income from operations and earnings per share from operations are also net of one-time events.  Operating return on equity is defined as net income (net of one-time events) divided by average equity.  Operating return on assets is defined as net income (net of one-time events) plus interest expense divided by average assets.  See disclosure following regarding the use of non-GAAP financial measures.





Fiscal Year Ended July 31,2011


2010Net Income

$
5,633


$
5,733Interest


202



491Income Taxes


2,446



3,092Depreciation


1,087



1,053Amortization


653



879EBITDA

$
10,021


$
11,248Pre-Tax Income from One-Time EventsIncome (Loss) from Stryker Sale

$
(99
)

$
817Income from Alcon settlement


--



2,398TOTAL Pre-Tax Income from One-Time Events


(99
)


3,215EBITDA from Operations

$
10,120


$
8,033
  7
 Table of Contents
  Fiscal Year EndedJuly 31, 2011


July 31, 2010Net Income

$
5,633


$
5,733After-Tax Income from One-Time EventsIncome (Loss) from Stryker Sales

$
(69
)

$
522Income from Alcon Settlement


--



1,533TOTAL After-Tax Income from One-Time  Events


(69
)


2,055Net Income from Operations

$
5,702


$
3,678Average Equity:July 31, 2011

$
50,664July 31, 2010


44,226


$
44,226July 31, 2009






38,130Average Equity

$
47,445


$
41,178Return on Average Equity


12.0
%


8.9
%Net income from Operations

$
5,702


$
3,678Interest


202



491Net income from Operations + interest expense

$
5,904


$
4,169Average Assets:July 31, 2011

$
81,310July 31, 2010


73,095


$
73,095July 31, 2009






58,080Average Assets

$
77,203


$
65,588Return on Average Assets


7.6
%


6.4
%





Non-GAAP Financial Measures





We measure our performance primarily through our operating profit.  In addition to our audited consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP, management uses certain non-GAAP measures, including EBITDA, return on average equity and return on average assets, to measure our operating performance.  We provide a definition of the components of these measurements and reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.





These non-GAAP measures are considered by our Board of Directors and management as a basis for measuring and evaluating our overall operating performance.  They are presented to enhance an understanding of our operating results and are not intended to represent cash flow or results of operations.  The use of these non-GAAP measures provides an indication of our ability to service debt and measure operating performance.  We believe these non-GAAP measures are useful in evaluating our operating performance compared to other companies in our industry, and are beneficial to investors, potential investors and other key stakeholders, including creditors who use this measure in their evaluation of performance.





EBITDA, however, does have certain material limitations primarily due to the exclusion of certain amounts that are material to our results of operations, such as interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization.  Because of this limitation, EBITDA should not be considered a measure of discretionary cash available to us to invest in our business and should be utilized in conjunction with other information contained in our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP.




8
 Table of Contents





Strategy





Through continuous improvement and development of our people, our mission is to design, manufacture and market innovative surgical devices and consumables of the highest quality in order to assist and enable surgeons who perform surgery around the world to provide a better quality of life for their patients.  Based upon this mission, the Company’s key strategy is to enhance shareholder value through profitable revenue growth in ophthalmology and neurosurgery markets by the identification and development of reusable and disposable devices in conjunction with leading surgeons and marketing partners and to build out a strong operational infrastructure and financial foundation within which prudently financed growth opportunities can be realized and implemented.  At the same time, we will maintain vigilance and sensitivity to new challenges which may arise from changes in the definition and delivery of appropriate healthcare in our fields of interest.





In the previous fiscal years and for 2012, we are focused on the following strategies:





Improve Profitability and Cash Efficiency through:





Manufacturing Efficiencies





Lean Manufacturing Initiatives — During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011, we continued our lean journey and have introduced all of the O’Fallon, Missouri facility manufacturing lines to lean methodology.  These lines are at varying degrees of maturity.  In fiscal 2012, we expect to introduce the lean methodology to our King of Prussia location and continue the maturation process at our O’Fallon, Missouri location.  We conducted several Kaizen events (Kaizen in Japanese means “change for the better”), which have added incremental cost savings of approximately $800,000 in fiscal 2011 and have reduced our cost basis by approximately $2.2 million since we began this initiative.  These initiatives are reducing set-up and production times in addition to reducing the required manufacturing footprint.  Throughout the year, we have been able to increase the sales per production employee by over 15 percent through our Kaizen events, by improving our processes and outsourcing tasks which are not core competencies.





In fiscal 2012, we continue to work on enhancing the profitability of our operational platform by focusing on our manufacturing efficiencies, including the lean manufacturing initiative and select outsourcing of high quality components and other cost savings. During fiscal 2011, we enhanced our operating margins by 27.6 percent from 11.6 percent to 14.8 percent when compared to fiscal 2010.  In fiscal 2012, our strategic objective is to increase our operating margins to of 20 percent.





Supply Chain Management – During fiscal 2011, the Company implemented a new enterprise resource planning system on August 1, 2011, as planned. The new system will allow better planning and real-time information on inventory levels, shipments, sales information and production costs. The system will, once fully utilized, allow for better capacity planning and up-to-date labor cost associated with manufacturing work orders and product cost. In fiscal 2012, we will focus on implementing additional system functionality which will increase our planning and administrative efficiencies.





The improvements we have made in our supply chain management have allowed the Company to reduce days of inventory on hand from 265 days at July 31, 2008 compared to 233 days at July 31, 2009, 196 days at July 31, 2010 and 196 days at July 31, 2011 while adding approximately $1.0 million in inventory for new products and the enhancement of service levels.




9
 Table of Contents




Human Resource Rationalization – Starting with a hiring freeze in October 2008, the Company has been redeploying certain human resources. These changes were made possible by the introduction of manufacturing efficiencies in certain product lines, the implementation of improvements in our enterprise-wide information system, the implementation of a manufacturing resource planning system and supply chain management and related consolidations and the shift from direct sales of certain neurosurgery products in the U.S. to the sales of these same products through marketing partners. This hiring strategy has continued through fiscal 2011 year-end, and certain positions are only added based upon a resource need or a replacement hire. At July 31, 2011, our head count had decreased to 344 as compared with 356 at July 31, 2010, a decrease of approximately 3.4 percent, while our sales grew 7.2 percent.  However, the business is currently budgeted at 360 employees.





Cash Management – The Company has been focused on its debt level which it reduced by $3.0 million to $1.1 million as of July 31, 2011 and intends to continue to monitor and reduce its leverage by focusing on the reduction in days sales in accounts receivable and inventory and where appropriate, the increase in days in accounts payable.  During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011, the Company improved its leverage ratio to 2.0 percent from 8.4 percent at July 31, 2010.  In fiscal 2012, the Company will pay off its remaining debt and solidify its cash position.





Accelerate growth through:





Research and Development (“R&D”) –The Company is utilizing its R&D efforts to drive the Company onto a high growth trajectory, which means simply, new products, in some new categories.  In order to focus resources on the most important projects, the Company has reduced its active projects to 28 as of July 31, 2011.  The Company has completed its most recent top priority R&D project when it introduced the VersaPACKTM for use in the vitreoretinal operating rooms. The launch of this product allows the Company to compete in an estimated $277 million segment of the vitreoretinal market in which we previously did not compete.  The remaining top three R&D opportunities will allow us access to different market segments within the ophthalmology and neurosurgery markets to continue to drive organic growth.  In fiscal 2012, our objective is to continue to increase our new product sales and to commercialize two of these three high priority R&D projects.





New Business Development – The Company’s core assets, including a history of customer driven innovation, quality differentiated products and an extensive distribution network, make it a logical component of value-creating business combinations.  In fiscal 2012, we continue to evaluate such potential combinations and opportunities for potential acquisitions that can expand the Company’s product offerings.





Improve Sales Force Productivity:





The professionalism of the Company’s sales force is one of its true assets.  Significant effort was made in the last few years to align the incentives and promotional direction of our sales force with those of the Company’s interests as a whole.  It is anticipated that this will continue to result in enhanced productivity.





Research and Development Strategy





Our R&D strategy primarily focuses on developing new products in conjunction with leading retinal surgeons and neurosurgeons utilizing our proprietary technology and our expertise in vitreoretinal surgery and neurosurgery.  We are continually engineering new products and instrumentation, as well as enhancements to existing products, to meet the needs of surgeons in the ophthalmology and neurosurgery disciplines.  We have entered into consultation arrangements with leading ophthalmic surgeons, all of whom specialize in vitreoretinal procedures.  In neurosurgery, we have worked closely with leading neurosurgeons to develop ultrasonic tips and handheld devices.




10
 Table of Contents





The Company has historically invested in leading edge R&D projects.  In fiscal 2011, we estimate that we spent approximately 80 percent of our R&D expenditures on ophthalmic opportunities and 20 percent on neurosurgery and OEM opportunities.




Fiscal Year Ended July 31,2011


2010


2009R&D expenditures (in thousands)

$
3,713


$
3,008


$
2,998Percentage of net sales


6.6
%


5.8
%


5.7
%




We anticipate ongoing R&D costs in connection with the development of our products.  The Company’s R&D resources include:  an advanced technology group that works on longer-term, highly complex R&D initiatives, a primary development group that works on strategically targeted products and a manufacturing engineering group that works on product line extensions.  These three groups focus on projects in both ophthalmology and neurosurgery.  The engineering team at the King of Prussia, Philadelphia location provides capacity for new electrosurgery products.  The alignment of our R&D resources into these groups allows us greater flexibility to meet the ever-changing needs of our customers as well as allow the Company to focus on those products and technologies that fit within our strategic plan.





At July 31, 2011, the Company’s development pipeline included 28 active projects in various stages of completion.  We have identified four of these projects as being the highest priority projects which will help to drive the Company onto a different growth trajectory and address larger market opportunities within ophthalmology and neurosurgery.  Of these four opportunities, three were for the ophthalmic market and one was for the neurosurgery market.  The Company has completed its most recent top priority R&D project when it introduced the VersaPACKTM for use in vitreoretinal procedures. The launch of this product allows the Company to compete in an estimated $277 million segment of the vitreoretinal market in which we previously did not compete.  The remaining top three R&D opportunities will provide access to different market segments within the ophthalmology and neurosurgery markets to continue to drive organic growth.  In fiscal 2012, our objective is to increase new product sales and to commercialize two of these three priority R&D projects.





The Company expects to invest in R&D at a rate of approximately 7 percent of net sales each fiscal year.  Substantially all of our R&D is conducted internally.  In the 2012 fiscal year, we expect to fund all of our R&D projects with current assets, cash flows from operations and development revenue from certain marketing partners.  We continuously review our R&D initiatives to ensure they remain consistent with and supportive of our strategic growth initiatives.





Marketing





Ophthalmic/Vitreoretinal





Markets
 
 Vitreoretinal surgery refers to any surgical procedures involving the posterior portion of the eye. Conditions associated with vitreoretinal surgery often require surgical treatment to prevent vision loss. These conditions include proliferative diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachments, macular holes, macular puckers and traumatic eye injuries. The retinal surgeon requires a variety of devices and equipment to perform the surgery, such as a vitrectomy machine and vitreous cutter to remove the vitreous from the eye, a light source and endoilluminator to illuminate the eye, a laser and laser probe, which provides focused photocoagulation for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy and related conditions.





Based upon a study performed by Market Scope LLC (“Market Scope”), there are approximately 2,000 practicing retinal specialists in the United States and an additional 7,900 throughout the rest of the world. It is estimated that approximately 320,000 vitrectomies are performed each year in the United States and 1.2 million vitrectomies are performed throughout the world.  Market Scope estimates that these procedures are growing 3.6 percent annually.  On a dollar basis, we estimate that the vitreoretinal market grew approximately seven percent to $935 million in 2011.




11
 Table of Contents




The Company initially engineered and produced prototype instruments designed to assist retinal surgeons in treating acute subretinal pathologies such as histoplasmosis and age-related macular degeneration. Synergetics developed a number of specialized lines of finely engineered surgical devices, which today have grown to comprise a product catalogue of nearly 1,000 retinal surgical items, including handheld disposable and reusable forceps and scissors, fiberoptics for both illumination and photocoagulation, cannulas, scrapers, and several other reusable and disposable surgical devices, including procedural packs.





Our business continues to grow and evolve as new surgical techniques are pioneered by leading vitreoretinal surgeons. As these surgical devices become ever smaller, new endoillumination technology is required to assist surgeons in this field. The Company was an early developer of cutting-edge endoillumination products and continues to be an innovative leader in the marketplace in the design, manufacture and marketing of laser probes and fiberoptic endoilluminators.





Marketing and Sales Force


In the United States, we have assembled a direct, dedicated sales organization, consisting of 20 sales representatives, six sales managers and seven marketing professionals. Our team sells our vitreoretinal surgical products directly to end-users at hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers and surgeon offices throughout the country. We offer nearly 1,000 separate catalogue items in the vitreoretinal surgical market. Our vitreoretinal products include convenience packs, fiberoptic endoilluminators and endolaser probes, a variety of disposable and reusable devices designed for intraocular manipulation of tissues, illumination equipment under the PhotonTM brand, laser equipment for the United States market under Quantel’s VitraTM and SupraTM brands, Volk’s line of ophthalmic lenses and its OptiflexTM and MerlinTM non-contact viewing systems and other miscellaneous products.





Internationally, we utilize a hybrid sales network comprised of direct and distributor sales. We have distribution agreements with independent representatives to sell and distribute our ophthalmic and vitreoretinal surgical products. At July 31, 2011, we had 13 international direct sales employees and were represented by over 50 non-U.S. distributors and independent sales representatives. Our vitreoretinal surgical products are offered for sale in approximately 60 countries outside the United States. The terms of sale to our non-U.S. distributors and our non-U.S. end-user customers do not differ materially from those to our domestic end-user customers. Selling prices are established based upon each country’s competitive pricing environment.


Competition


Our ophthalmic and vitreoretinal surgical devices and equipment compete against manufacturers of similar products, including those sold by our major competitors, Alcon, Bausch & Lomb, Inc., Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center and Iridex. In addition, our products compete with smaller and larger specialized companies that do not otherwise focus on ophthalmic and vitreoretinal surgery. In the future, aggressive pharmaceutical intervention may adversely affect the demand for our surgical products.





Marketing Partner and OEM Markets





The Company has marketing partner and OEM relationships with Codman, Stryker, Iridex and Alcon.





In the neurosurgical market, the bipolar electrosurgical system manufactured by Valley Forge prior to the merger has been marketed for over 25 years through a series of distribution agreements with Codman. On April 2, 2009, the Company executed a new, three-year distribution agreement (effective January 1, 2009) with Codman for the continued distribution by Codman of the third generation electrosurgical generator, certain other electrosurgery generators, related disposables and accessories. In addition, the Company entered into a new, three-year license agreement, which provides for the continued licensing of the Company’s Malis® trademark to Codman for use with certain Codman products, including those covered by the distribution agreement. Both agreements expire on December 31, 2011 and may renew for an additional three-year period.




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On November 16, 2009, the Company announced the signing of an addendum to its three-year agreement with Codman. Under the terms of the revised agreement, Codman has the exclusive right to market and distribute one of the Company’s branded disposable bipolar forceps. Codman began the domestic distribution of the disposable bipolar forceps on December 1, 2009 and international distribution on February 1, 2010.





The Codman relationship has been proceeding well and is meeting the Company’s expectations for unit and dollar sales volumes. Sales to Codman in the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011 comprised 18.8 percent of the Company’s net sales.





The Company supplies a lesion generator used for pain treatment to Stryker pursuant to a supply and distribution agreement dated as of October 25, 2004. The original term of the agreement was for slightly over five years, commencing on November 11, 2004 and ending on December 31, 2009. On August 1, 2007, the Company entered into a one-year extension to the agreement with Stryker. The Company has negotiated a five-year extension to the agreement through December 31, 2015. The agreement covers the manufacture and supply of the lesion generator unit together with certain accessories. The pain control unit can be utilized for facet denervation, rhizotomy, percutaneous cordotomy, dorsal root entry zone lesions, peripheral neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia and ramus communications. Pain relief is achieved by the controlled heating of the area surrounding the electrode tip. A thermosensor in the probe is used to control tissue temperature. Impedance values are displayed to guard against unsafe conditions. The system provides an electrical stimulator for nerve localization and various coagulating outputs that are selectable based on the procedures undertaken. The generator is configured for bipolar output to minimize current spread, as well as monopolar operation. The agreement also provides Stryker the right of first refusal for the distribution of other products for use in the field of pain control or for use in conjunction with a lesion generator technically the same as the products distributed under this agreement.





On April 1, 2010, the Company announced the closing of the definitive agreement with Stryker in conjunction with the acquisition by Stryker of certain assets from Mutoh used to produce the Sonopet ultrasonic aspirator control consoles and handpieces (previously marketed under the Omni® brand by Synergetics in the U.S., Canada and several other countries). In addition, the agreement provides for the Company to supply disposable ultrasonic instrument tips and certain other consumable products used in conjunction with the ultrasonic aspirator console and handpieces and pursue certain development projects for new products associated with Stryker’s ultrasonic aspirator products.





The Stryker relationship has been proceeding well and is meeting the Company’s expectations for unit and dollar sales volumes. Sales to Stryker in the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011 comprised 13.8 percent of the Company’s net sales. This percentage is expected to increase as sales of ultrasonic aspirator tips and accessories through Stryker began in April 2010.





In addition, the Company manufactures directional laser probes for Iridex. In October 2005, Iridex filed a lawsuit against the Company for infringement of its Patent No. 5,085,492 entitled “Optical Fiber with Electrical Encoding.” Pursuant to a settlement of the lawsuit in 2007, the parties entered into a manufacture and supply agreement in which the Company obtained the right to manufacture and supply various laser probes to Iridex. This agreement expires in April 2012.





On April 27, 2010, the Company announced that it had entered into a Settlement and License Agreement with Alcon pursuant to which Alcon agreed to pay the Company $32.0 million, and the Company agreed to produce certain products for distribution by Alcon. The net proceeds to the Company were $21.4 million after contingency payments to attorneys. The Company recognized a gain from this agreement of $2.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2010. The remaining $19.0 million has been accounted for as an up-front license fee under the Settlement and License Agreement and will be deferred and recognized as earned over a period currently estimated to be fifteen years based upon the units expected to be shipped to Alcon under a Supply Agreement entered pursuant to the settlement. In fiscal 2011, we recognized $696,000 of this deferred revenue.




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Markets





Neurosurgical procedures on a global basis continue to rise at an estimated 2 to 3 percent growth rate driven by an aging global population, new technologies, advances in surgical techniques and a growing global market resulting from ongoing improvements in healthcare delivery in third world countries, among other factors. Based upon this growth in procedures, sales of neurosurgical products worldwide are forecasted to increase by approximately 4 percent.





Competition





In the field of neurosurgery, we develop, design and manufacture precision-engineered, surgical devices and instruments. In addition, we believe we are the premier manufacturer of bipolar electrosurgical systems sold through Codman for use in neurosurgery. Our neurosurgical bipolar electrosurgical systems compete against the Valleylab division of Covidien Ltd., Kirwan Surgical Products, Inc., Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH and Aesculap including Aesculap Inc., USA and Aesculap GmbH, divisions of B. Braun Medical Inc. Ultrasonic aspirator and accessory tips sold through Stryker compete against Integra Life Sciences Holdings, Corp., the manufacturer of the CUSATM and the SelectorTM ultrasonic systems. Our neurosurgical devices and disposables compete against manufacturers of similar products, including those sold by Integra NeuroSciences. Also, we compete with smaller and larger specialized companies that do not otherwise focus on neurosurgery. Our products also compete with other technologies, such as handheld instruments and a variety of tissue removal systems designed for removing skull-based tumors. In the future, aggressive pharmaceutical intervention may adversely affect the demand for our surgical products.





Operations





Manufacturing and Supplies





We design, manufacture and assemble the majority of our ophthalmic and certain of our neurosurgical products in our facility in O’Fallon, Missouri.  The bipolar electrosurgical generators (including the neurosurgical, pain control and other generator units) are manufactured in our facility in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.  The VitraTM and SupraTM laser units and the Volk lenses and OptiflexTM and MerlinTM systems are purchased by the Company from their respective manufacturers.  Our products are assembled from raw materials and components supplied to us by third parties.  Most of the raw materials and components we use in the manufacture of our products are available from more than one supplier.  For some components, there are relatively few alternate sources of supply.  However, we rely upon single source suppliers or contract manufacturers for a small portion of our disposable product line and for several key components of our PhotonTM light sources and our electrosurgical generators.





During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011, we continued our lean journey and have introduced all of the O’Fallon, Missouri facility manufacturing lines to lean methodology.  These lines are at varying degrees of maturity.  In fiscal 2012, we expect to introduce the lean methodology to our King of Prussia location and continue the maturation process at our O’Fallon, Missouri location.  We conducted several Kaizen events which have added incremental cost savings of approximately $800,000 in fiscal 2011 and have reduced our cost basis by approximately $2.2 million since we began this initiative.  These savings are reducing set-up and production times in addition to reducing the required manufacturing footprint.  Throughout the year, we have been able to increase the sales per production employee by over 15 percent through our Kaizen events by improving processes and outsourcing some tasks which are not core competencies.





The improvements we have made in our supply chain management have allowed the Company to reduce days of inventory on hand from 265 days at July 31, 2008 compared with 233 days at July 31, 2009, 196 days at July 31, 2010 and 196 days at July 31, 2011, while adding approximately $1.0 million in inventory for new products and the enhancement of service levels.





Our operations are conducted in our headquarters facility in O’Fallon, Missouri and our facility in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.




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Government Regulations





Medical devices manufactured by the Company are subject to extensive regulation by governmental authorities, including federal, state and non-U.S. governmental agencies.  The principal regulator in the United States is the Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”).





FDA regulations are wide ranging and govern the development, production and marketing of medical devices, the observance of certain standards with respect to the design, manufacture, testing, labeling and promotion of devices, the maintenance and retention of certain records, the ability to track devices in distribution, the reporting of potential product defects and patient incidents, the export of devices and other matters.





All medical devices introduced into the market since 1976, which include the majority of our products, are required by the FDA as a condition of sale and marketing to secure either a 510(k) Premarket Notification clearance or an approved Premarket Approval Application (“PMA”) unless specifically exempted by regulation.  A Premarket Notification clearance indicates FDA agreement with an applicant’s determination that the product for which clearance has been sought is substantially equivalent to another medical device that was on the market before 1976 or that has received 510(k) Premarket Notification clearance since that time.  The process of obtaining a Premarket Notification clearance can take several months or potentially years and may require the submission of limited clinical data and supporting information.  The PMA process typically requires the submission of significant quantities of clinical data and manufacturing information and involves significant review costs.  The Company does not anticipate any of our new devices in development at this time will require a PMA.





Under FDA regulations, after a device receives 510(k) clearance, any modification that could significantly affect its safety or effectiveness, or that would constitute a major change in the intended use of the device, technology, materials or packaging, requires a new 510(k) clearance.  The FDA requires a manufacturer to make this determination in the first instance, but the FDA can review any such decision.   If the FDA disagrees, it can require a manufacturer to obtain a new 510(k) clearance or it can seek enforcement action against the manufacturer.





We are also required to register with the FDA as a device manufacturer and to maintain compliance with the FDA’s Quality System Regulations (“QSRs”).  The QSRs incorporate the requirements of Good Manufacturing Practice as well as other regulatory requirements of the FDA, which mandate detailed quality assurance and record-keeping procedures and subject manufacturers to unscheduled periodic quality system inspections.  We conduct internal quality assurance audits to ensure compliance throughout the manufacturing process.





We may not promote or advertise our products for uses not within the scope of our clearances or approvals or make unsupported safety or effectiveness claims.  Further, we are required to comply with various FDA regulations for labeling and promotion.  The Medical Device Reporting regulations require that we provide information to the FDA whenever there is evidence to reasonably suggest that one of our devices may have caused or contributed to a death or serious injury.  In addition, the FDA prohibits us from promoting a medical device before marketing clearance has been received or promoting a cleared device for unapproved indications. Noncompliance with applicable regulatory requirements can result in enforcement action, which is more fully described in Part 1, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.




Medical device regulations also are in effect in many of the countries outside the United States in which our products are sold.  These laws range from comprehensive device approval and quality system requirements for some or all of our medical device products to simpler requests for product data or certifications.  The number and scope of these requirements are increasing.  In June 1998, the European Union Medical Device Directive became effective, and all medical devices sold in the European common market must meet the Medical Device Directive standards. The Company sells its products in the European medical device market; as such, we have voluntarily chosen to subject ourselves to the audits established by the European Union through which we have obtained “CE marking” for many of our products.  The Company is subjected to annual audits at both of our manufacturing facilities for compliance to the quality system standards established by the International Standards Organization (“ISO”) and Medical Device Directives established by European law.  The Company is certified to ISO 13485:2003, the international standard for quality systems as applied to medical devices.  Failure to correct deficiencies discovered during an audit could result in the removal of the CE mark on our products, which would effectively bar the sale of the Company’s products in the European market.  Such a result would have a significant and material negative impact on the Company and its business.  In addition, there are several other countries that require additional regulatory clearances.




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Management believes that we are in material compliance with the government regulations governing our business.





Safety Approvals





The majority of our capital equipment products also require electrical safety testing, and in some cases electromagnetic compatibility testing, either as a product registration requirement and/or to gain market acceptance.  Testing to internationally recognized standards is provided by third party vendors, who certify our products’ compliance to these standards.





Intellectual Property




Our ability to effectively compete in our product markets depends in part on developing, improving and maintaining proprietary aspects of our technology platforms.  To maintain the proprietary nature of our technology, we rely on patents and patent applications, trade secrets, trademarks and know how.  Patented and patent pending technology is used in most of our product lines, including our Malis® line of bipolar electrosurgical generators and accessories, our PhotonTM and LumenTM lines of illumination technology with complimentary accessories, certain ultrasonic bone cutting tips, and various other reusable and disposable devices.





Currently, the Company owns 38 unexpired United States patents, the oldest of which was issued in 1994, and none of which will expire before 2012.  In addition, the Company owns 20 unexpired patents in several countries around the world.  We do not believe that the expiration of any one patent, or the expiration over time of all of our currently unexpired patents, will have a material, adverse effect on our business.  The Company also has multiple pending patent applications in the United States and other countries, which we believe will, in due course, issue as patents.  However, other companies and entities have filed patent applications or have obtained issued patents relating to devices, laser probes, endoillumination, light sources, monopolar and bipolar electrosurgical methods and devices, any of which may impact our ability to obtain patents in the future. When deemed appropriate for our business success, we will enforce and defend our patent rights.




We generally seek patent protection on patentable technological advancements used or likely to be used in our products and product improvements.  We do not, however, rely exclusively on our patents to provide us with competitive advantages with respect to our existing product lines.  We also rely upon trade secrets, know-how, continuing technological innovations and superior engineering to develop and maintain our competitive advantage.





In an effort to protect our trade secrets, we require our consultants, advisors and most of our employees to execute confidentiality agreements and, when appropriate, invention assignment agreements upon commencement of employment, or a consulting or advising relationship with us.  These agreements typically provide that all confidential information developed or made known to the subject person during the course of that person’s relationship with us must be kept confidential and cannot be used, except in specified circumstances.  When appropriate, these agreements also contain provisions requiring these individuals to assign to us, without additional consideration, any inventions conceived or reduced to practice by the subject person while employed or retained by the Company, subject to customary exceptions.




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Malis, the Malis waveform logo, Bident, Bi-Safe, Gentle Gel and Finest Energy Source Available for Surgery are our registered trademarks.  Synergetics, the Synergetics’ logo, Photon, Photon I, Photon II, P1, P2, DualWave, COAG, Advantage, Burst, Microserrated, Microfiber, Solution, TruCurve, Directional Laser Probe, I-Pack, Extendable Directional Laser Probe, Inverted Directional Laser Probe, Maxillum, Corona, Syntrifugal, Synerlite, Apex, Synerport, Featherlite, FullView, TruMicro, DDMS, Kryoptonite, Diamond Black, Bullseye, One-Step, Pinnacle, Barracuda, aXcess, Flexx, Lumen, Lumenators, Versa, VersaPACK, Veritas and Vivid product names are our trademarks.  All other trademarks or tradenames appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are the property of their respective owners.





Backlog





We generally do not maintain a high level of backlog.  As a result, we do not believe that our backlog at any particular time is indicative of future sales levels.





Employees





On July 31, 2011, we had approximately 344 employees, of which 341 were full-time employees. However, a fully staffed operation, including planned replacements, is approximately 360 employees.   From time to time, we retain part-time employees, engineering consultants, scientists and other consultants.  All full-time employees are eligible to participate in our health benefit plan.  None of our employees are represented by a union or covered by a collective bargaining agreement.  We consider our relationship with our employees to be satisfactory.





Executive Officers of the Registrant





The following table sets forth certain information, as of the date of this annual report on Form 10-K, with respect to the executive officers of the Company.





Name
Age
Position(s) with the CompanyDavid M. Hable
56
President, Chief Executive Officer & DirectorKurt W. Gampp, Jr.
51
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer & DirectorJerry L. Malis
79
Executive Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer & DirectorPamela G. Boone
48
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer & SecretaryMichael R. Fanning
45
Vice President of Domestic SalesJason J. Stroisch
36
Vice President of International Sales & Marketing





David M. Hable joined the Company as its President, CEO and director in January 2009.  Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Hable served as President and CEO of Afferent Corporation, a venture capital backed medical device company focused on neuro stimulation therapies. Previously, he was Chairman of the Board of ONI Medical Systems, Inc., a developer and marketer of magnetic resonance imaging equipment for extremity applications in non-hospital settings. Mr. Hable also spent over 20 years with Codman, which develops and markets a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic products for the treatment of central nervous system disorders. Mr. Hable was engaged at Codman in several sales and marketing positions.  From 1998 to 2003, Mr. Hable served as Codman’s Worldwide President leading all functions in the company, both domestically and internationally.Mr. Hable has overall responsibility for the management of the Company.





Kurt W. Gampp, Jr. is the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and has served in these positions and as a director since 2005. Immediately prior to the merger with Valley Forge, Mr. Gampp served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Synergetics and had served in this position since Synergetics was founded in 1991. Mr. Gampp coordinates and supervises the manufacturing of the Company’s products and is in charge of the daily production operations of the Company.




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Jerry L. Malis is the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer and has served in these positions and as director since 2005. Immediately prior to the consummation of the merger with Valley Forge, Dr. Malis served as Valley Forge’s Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Valley Forge. He has published over 50 articles in the biological science, electronics and engineering fields, and has been issued ten United States patents. Dr. Malis coordinates and supervises the scientific developments of the Company’s electrosurgery products.





Pamela G. Boone joined the Company as its Chief Financial Officer in May 2005. Prior to this, Ms. Boone served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Maverick Tube Corporation (“Maverick”) from 2001 until January 2005 and as Vice President, Treasurer and acting Chief Financial Officer until May 2005. Maverick, a Missouri-based company, was a leading North American producer of welded tubular steel products used in energy and industrial applications. From 1997 to 2001, Ms. Boone served as Maverick’s Corporate Controller.  Ms. Boone coordinates and supervises the financial, accounting, human resources and information technology of the Company.





Michael R. Fanning joined the Company as a territory manager in June 2003.  He was promoted to National Sales Manager in May 2006 and became Vice President of Domestic Sales in April 2009.  Prior to this, Mr. Fanning worked for GE Capital for over ten years.  Mr. Fanning coordinates and supervises the domestic sales operations of the Company.





Jason J. Stroisch joined the Company in the Engineering division in September 1995.  In his sixteen years with the Company, Mr. Stroisch has had increasing levels of responsibility within the organization, including International Product Manager, International Sales Manager and Vice President of Ophthalmic Sales.  In April 2009, he was promoted to Vice President of International Sales and Marketing.  Mr. Stroisch coordinates and supervises the international sales operations and the marketing efforts of the Company.





Available Information





We make available free of charge our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished as required by Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), through our internet website at www.synergeticsusa.com as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).





Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information





The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, provide a safe harbor for forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. The Company and its representatives may from time to time make written or oral statements that are “forward-looking,” including statements contained in this report and other filings with the SEC and in our reports and presentations to stockholders or potential stockholders. In some cases forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “potential,” “continue” or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties and there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors, risks and uncertainties can be found in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors.”





Although we believe the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it is not possible to foresee or identify all factors that could have a material effect on the future financial performance of the Company. The forward-looking statements in this report are made on the basis of management’s assumptions and analyses, as of the time the statements are made, in light of their experience and perception of historical conditions, expected future developments and other factors believed to be appropriate under the circumstances.




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In addition, certain market data and other statistical information used throughout this report are based on independent industry publications. Although we believe these sources to be reliable, we have not independently verified the information and cannot guarantee the accuracy and completeness of such sources.





Except as otherwise required by the federal securities laws, we disclaim any obligation or undertaking to publicly release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained in this Annual


Report on Form 10-K and the information incorporated by reference in this report to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.





Item 1A. Risk Factors





In addition to the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we have identified the following risks and uncertainties that may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.  You should carefully consider the risks described below before making an investment decision.





We are exposed to risks associated with the prolonged world-wide economic slowdowns and related political uncertainties.





We are subject to macro-economic fluctuations in the United States, the countries of Europe and the economies of other countries throughout the world.  Concerns about consumer and investor confidence, volatile corporate profits, reduced capital spending, international conflicts, terrorist and military activity, civil unrest and pandemic illness could cause a slowdown in customer orders or cause customer order cancellations.  In addition, political and social turmoil related to international conflicts and terrorist acts may put further pressure on economic conditions in the United States and abroad.





Recent macro-economic issues involving the broad financial markets, including the European economy, the housing and credit system and general liquidity issues in the securities markets have negatively impacted the economy and may have negatively affected our growth, and such issues may continue to affect growth in the future.  In addition, weak economic conditions and declines in consumer spending and consumption may harm our operating results.  Although purchases of our products are not often discretionary, the lack of health care insurance may cause some procedures to be delayed or postponed as long as possible.  If the economic climate deteriorates further, some follow-on effects could impact our business, including insolvency of key suppliers resulting in product delays, delays in customer payments of outstanding accounts receivable and customer insolvencies, counterparty failures negatively impacting our operations and increased expense or inability to obtain future financing.  We believe these issues have impacted the sales of our capital equipment during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011.


The medical device industry is highly competitive, and we may be unable to compete effectively with other companies.





The medical technology industry is characterized by intense competition.  We compete with established medical technology companies and early stage companies that have alternative solutions for the markets we serve or intend to serve.  Many of our competitors have access to greater financial, technical, R&D, marketing, manufacturing, sales, distribution services and other resources than we do.  Furthermore, our competitors may be more effective at implementing their technologies to develop commercial products.  Certain of the medical indications that can be treated by our devices can also be treated by other medical devices or by medical practices that do not include a device, including pharmacology.  The medical community widely accepts many alternative treatments and certain of these other treatments have a long history of use.





Our competitive position depends on our ability to achieve market acceptance for our products, develop new products, implement production and marketing plans, secure regulatory approvals for products under development and protect our intellectual property.  We may need to develop new applications for our products to remain competitive.  Technological advances, including pharmacology, by one or more of our current or future competitors could render our present or future products obsolete or uneconomical.  Our future success depends upon our ability to compete effectively against current technology, as well as respond effectively to technological advances, and upon our ability to successfully implement our marketing strategies and execute our R&D plan.




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Our industry is experiencing greater scrutiny and regulation by governmental authorities, which may lead to greater governmental regulation in the future.





Medical device companies are subject to rigorous regulation, including by the FDA and numerous other federal, state and foreign governmental authorities.  These authorities and members of the United States Congress have been increasing their scrutiny of our industry.  In addition, certain states have recently passed or are considering legislation restricting our interactions with health care providers and requiring disclosure of payments to them.  Also, while recent case law has clarified that the FDA’s authority over medical devices preempts state tort laws, legislation has been introduced at the Federal level to allow state intervention.  We anticipate that the government will continue to closely scrutinize our industry, and additional regulations by governmental authorities may increase compliance costs, exposure to litigation and other adverse effects to our operations.





A significant part of our neurosurgical products sales comes from two customers, which makes us vulnerable to the loss of those customers.





During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011, revenue from sales of our bipolar electrosurgical generators, disposable bipolar forceps, cord tubing sets, exclusivity and royalty payments from Codman represented approximately 18.8 percent of the Company’s total net sales.  Under our existing agreement with Codman, it distributes the electrosurgical generators on an exclusive basis.  Our existing agreement with Codman will expire by its own terms on December 31, 2011 and may renew for an additional three-year period.  We continue to develop new generators and additions to the disposable forceps line which will expand their reach to additional markets.





In addition, revenue from the sales of our pain control generators, the ultrasonic aspirator tips and accessories by Stryker accounted for 13.8 percent of the Company’s total net sales for fiscal 2011.  Under our existing agreements with Stryker, it distributes the pain control generator and ultrasonic aspirator tips on an exclusive basis.  The pain control generator agreement expires on December 31, 2015, and the ultrasonic aspirator tip agreement expires on March 31, 2014.  We continue to develop new ultrasonic tips for Stryker which will expand their reach to additional markets.





If any of our single source suppliers were to cease providing components, we may not be able to produce certain products.





Our products are assembled from raw materials and components supplied to us by third parties.  Most of the raw materials and components used in the manufacturing of our products are available from more than one supplier.  For some components, there are relatively few alternate sources of supply.  However, we rely upon single source suppliers or contract manufacturers for a small portion of our disposable product line and for several key components of our PhotonTM light sources and our electrosurgical generators.  Our profit margins and our ability to develop and deliver products on a timely basis may be adversely affected by the lack of alternative supply in the required timeframe.





The recent U.S. healthcare reform legislation and other healthcare regulatory changes could adversely affect our revenue and financial condition.





In March 2010, Congress approved, and the President signed into law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act (collectively the "Healthcare Reform Acts"). Among other things, the Healthcare Reform Acts seek to expand health insurance coverage to approximately 32 million uninsured Americans. Many of the significant changes in the health care industry resulting from the enactment of the Healthcare Reform Acts do not take effect until 2014, including a requirement that most Americans carry health insurance. We expect expansion of access to health insurance to increase the demand for our products and services, but other provisions of the Healthcare Reform Acts could affect us adversely. The Healthcare Reform Acts contain many provisions designed to generate the revenues necessary to fund the coverage expansions and to reduce costs of Medicare and Medicaid. Beginning in 2013, each medical device manufacturer will have to pay a tax in an amount equal to 2.3 percent of the revenue realized from the sale of its medical devices in the United States. We manufacture and sell devices that will likely be subject to this tax.  We could be adversely affected by, among other things, changes in the delivery or pricing of, or reimbursement for medical devices.




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Changes in government legislation or regulation, trends toward managed care, health care cost containment and other changes in government and private sector initiatives in the United States and other countries in which we do business are placing increased emphasis on the delivery of more cost-effective medical therapies.  These trends that could adversely affect the sale or the prices of our products.





For example:





●
There has been a consolidation among health care facilities and purchasers of medical devices in the United States who prefer to limit the number of suppliers from whom they purchase medical products, and these entities may decide to stop purchasing their products or demand discounts on our prices.





●
Major third-party payers of hospital services, including Medicare, Medicaid and private health care insurers, are currently scrutinizing and challenging the coverage of new products and the level of reimbursement for covered products that could create downward price pressure on our products.





●
Recently, there has been a Medicare-provided incentive for surgeons to move certain procedures from hospitals to ambulatory surgical centers, which may impact the demand for and distribution of our surgical products.





●
Numerous legislative proposals have been adopted which will result in major reforms in the United States health care system that could have an adverse effect on our business.





●
There is economic pressure to contain health care costs in international markets.





●
There have been initiatives by third-party payers to challenge the prices charged for medical products that could affect our ability to sell products on a competitive basis.





Both the pressures to reduce prices for our products and the potential decrease in the size of the market as a result of these trends could adversely affect revenue and profitability.





Delays in the receipt or failure to receive regulatory clearances or approvals, the loss of previously received clearances or approvals, or failure to comply with existing or future regulatory requirements could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and future growth prospects.





Our R&D activities and the manufacturing, labeling, distribution and marketing of our existing and future products are subject to regulation by governmental agencies in the United States and in other countries.  The FDA and comparable agencies in other countries impose mandatory procedures and standards for the conduct of clinical trials and the production and marketing of products for diagnostic and human therapeutic use.





Products under development are subject to FDA approval or clearance prior to commercial use.  The process of obtaining necessary FDA approvals or clearances is not only costly but can potentially take years and the outcome may be uncertain.  Our inability to obtain required regulatory approval or clearance in a timely manner could harm our business.  Further, approval or clearance may place substantial restrictions on the indications for which the product may be marketed or to whom it may be marketed.  Additional studies may be required to gain approval or clearance for the use of a product for clinical indications other than those for which the product was initially approved or cleared or for significant changes to the product.




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Furthermore, an additional risk relates to the regulatory classification of new products or proposed new uses for existing products.  With each application, we are required to make a judgment about the appropriate form and content of the application.  If the FDA disagrees with our judgment in any particular case and, for example, requires us to file a PMA rather than allowing us to market for approved uses while we seek broader approvals or requires extensive additional clinical data, the time and expense required to obtain the approval might be significantly increased or approval might not be granted.  Approved and cleared products are subject to continuing FDA requirements relating to quality control and quality assurance, maintenance of records, reporting of adverse events and product recalls, documentation and labeling and promotion of medical devices.





There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain necessary clearances or approvals to market any new products, or existing products for new intended uses, on a timely basis, if at all.





We may be subject to penalties and may be precluded from marketing our products if we fail to comply with extensive governmental regulations.





The FDA and non-U.S. regulatory authorities require that our products be manufactured according to rigorous standards.  These regulatory requirements may significantly increase our production costs and may even prevent us from making our products in amounts sufficient to meet market demand.  If we change our approved manufacturing process, the FDA may need to review the process before it may be used.  Failure to comply with applicable regulatory requirements discussed throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K could subject us to enforcement actions, including:





●
warning letters;





●
fines, injunctions and civil penalties against us;





●
recall or seizure of our products;





●
operating restrictions, partial suspension or total shutdown of our production;





●
refusing our requests for premarket clearance or approval of new products;





●
withdrawing product approvals already granted; and




●
criminal prosecution.




Federal, state and non-U.S. regulations, regarding the manufacture and sale of medical devices are subject to future changes.  The complexity, timeframes and costs associated with obtaining marketing clearances are unknown.  Although we cannot predict the impact, if any, these changes might have on our business, the impact could be material.





Our products may not be accepted in the market.





We cannot be certain that our current products or any other products we may develop or market will achieve or maintain market acceptance.  We cannot be certain that our devices and the procedures they perform will be able to replace established treatments or that physicians or the medical community in general will accept and utilize our devices or any other medical products that we may develop.





Market acceptance of our products depends on many factors, including our ability to:





●
convince distributors and customers that our technology is an attractive alternative to other technologies;





●
manufacture products in sufficient quantities and at acceptable costs; and





●
supply and service sufficient quantities of our products directly or through marketing alliances





22
 Table of Contents





If we do not introduce new commercially successful products in a timely manner, our products may become obsolete over time, thereby decreasing our revenue and profitability.





Demand for our products may change because of evolving customer needs, the introduction of new products and technologies, the discovery of cures for certain medical problems, including pharmacology, evolving surgical practices and evolving industry standards.  Without the timely introduction of new commercially successful products and enhancements, our products may become obsolete over time causing our sales and operating results to suffer.  The success of our new products will depend on several factors, including our ability to:





●
properly identify and anticipate customer needs;





●
obtain regulatory approval for new products;





●
achieve positive clinical outcomes;





●
commercialize new products in a cost-effective and timely manner;





●
manufacture and deliver products in sufficient volumes on time;





●
differentiate our products from those of our competitors;





●
satisfy the increased demands by health care payers, providers and patients for lower-cost procedures and shorter hospital stays and recovery times;





●
innovate and develop product designs and surgical techniques; and





●
provide adequate medical and/or customer education relating to new products and attract key surgeons to advocate these new products.





New products and enhancements usually require a substantial investment in R&D before we can determine the viability of the product.  Our R&D process entails considerable uncertainty.  Moreover, new products and enhancements may not produce revenues in excess of the R&D costs, and they may become obsolete by changing customer preferences or the introduction by our competitors of new technologies or features.  Failure to develop our manufacturing capability may mean that even if we develop promising new products, we may not be able to produce them profitably, as a result of delays and additional capital investment costs.





Quality problems with our processes, goods and services could harm our reputation for producing high quality products and erode our competitive advantage.





Quality is extremely important to us and our customers due to the serious and costly consequences of product failure.  Our quality certifications are critical to the marketing success of our goods and services.  If we fail to meet these standards, our reputation could be damaged, we could lose customers and our revenue could decline.  Aside from specific customer standards, our success depends generally on our ability to manufacture to exact tolerances precision engineered components, sub-assemblies and finished devices from multiple materials.  If our components fail to meet these standards or fail to adapt to evolving standards, our reputation as a manufacturer of high quality products will be harmed, our competitive advantage could be damaged and we could lose customers and market share.





Our operating results may fluctuate.





Our operating results have fluctuated in the past and can be expected to fluctuate from time to time in the future. Some of the factors that may cause these fluctuations include, but are not limited to:




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●
general economic uncertainties and political concerns;





●
timing of customer capital availability and customer budgets for general expenditures;





●
receipt of necessary regulatory approvals;





●
the introduction of new products or product lines;





●
product modifications;





●
the level of market acceptance of new products;





●
the timing of R&D and other expenditures;





●
timing of the receipt of orders from, and product shipments to, distributors and customers;





●
changes in the distribution arrangements for our products;





●
manufacturing or supply delays;





●
the time needed to educate and train additional sales and manufacturing personnel;





●
costs associated with product introductions;





●
costs associated with defending our intellectual property; and





●
product returns.





Our intellectual property rights may not provide meaningful commercial protection for our products, which could adversely affect our ability to compete in the market.





Our ability to compete effectively depends, in part, on our ability to maintain the proprietary nature of our technologies and manufacturing processes, which includes the ability to obtain, protect and enforce patents on our technology and to protect our trade secrets.  We own patents that cover significant aspects of our products.  Certain patents of ours have expired and others will expire in the future.  In addition, challenges may be made to our patents and, as a result, our patents could be narrowed, invalidated or rendered unenforceable.  Competitors may develop products similar to ours that our patents do not cover.  In addition, our current and future patent applications may not result in the issuance of patents in the United States or non-U.S. countries.  Further, there is a substantial backlog of patent applications in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“PTO”), and the approval or rejection of patent applications may take several years.  We may become subject to patent infringement claims or litigation or interference proceedings declared by the U.S. PTO to determine the priority of invention.





Our competitive position depends, in part, upon unpatented trade secrets, which can be difficult to protect. Others may independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information and techniques or gain access to our trade secrets.  In an effort to protect our trade secrets, we require consultants, advisors and most of our employees to execute confidentiality agreements and certain of them to sign invention assignment agreements upon commencement of employment or a consulting relationship with us.  These agreements typically provide that, except in specified circumstances, all confidential information developed or made known to the individual during the course of his or her relationship with us must be kept confidential.  They typically contain provisions requiring these individuals to assign to us, without additional consideration, any inventions conceived or reduced to practice by them while employed or retained by us, subject to customary exceptions.  Some jurisdictions limit the enforceability and scope of these agreements and these agreements may not provide meaningful protection for our trade secrets or other proprietary information in the event of the unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential information.




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 Table of Contents





The intellectual property rights of others may adversely affect our ability to introduce new products or continue to sell existing products.





The medical device industry is characterized by frequent litigation regarding patent and other intellectual property rights.  Companies in the medical device industry have employed intellectual property litigation to gain a competitive advantage.  Numerous patents are held by others, including academic institutions and our competitors.  Until recently, patent applications were maintained in secrecy in the United States until after the time the patent had been issued.  Patent applications filed in the United States after November 2000 generally will be published 18 months after the filing date.  However, since patent applications continue to be maintained in secrecy for at least some period of time, we cannot assure you that our technology does not infringe any patents, patent applications held by third parties or prior patents.  We have, from time to time, been notified of, or have otherwise been made aware of, claims that we are infringing upon patents or other proprietary intellectual property owned by others.  If it appears necessary or desirable, we may seek licenses under such patents or proprietary intellectual property.  Although patent holders may offer such licenses, licenses under such patents or intellectual property may not be offered or the terms of any offered licenses may not be reasonable.





Any infringement claims, with or without merit, and regardless of whether we are successful on the merits, could be time-consuming, result in costly litigation and diversion of technical and management personnel, cause shipment delays or require us to develop non-infringing technology or enter into royalty or licensing agreements.  An adverse determination could prevent us from manufacturing or selling our products, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.





We may have product liability claims, and our insurance may not cover all claims.





The development, manufacture, sale and use of medical products entail significant risk of product liability claims.  We maintain product liability coverage at levels we have determined are reasonable.  We cannot assure you that such coverage limits are adequate to protect us from any liabilities we might incur in connection with the development, manufacture, sale or use of our products.  In addition, we may require increased product liability coverage as our sales increase in their current applications and new applications.  Product liability insurance is expensive and in the future may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all.  A successful product liability claim or series of claims brought against us in excess of our insurance coverage could adversely affect our business.





The loss of key personnel could harm our business.





Our future success depends upon the continued service of key management, technical sales and other critical personnel, including Messrs. Hable, Gampp, Malis, Fanning and Stroisch and Ms. Boone, our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Operating Officer, our Chief Scientific Officer, our Vice President of Domestic Sales, our Vice President of International Sales and Marketing and our Chief Financial Officer, respectively.  We maintain key person life insurance for Messrs. Hable, Gampp and Malis.  Our officers and other key personnel are employees-at-will, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to retain them.  The loss of any key employee could result in a disruption to our operations and could materially harm our business.  In addition, the integration of replacement personnel could be time consuming, may cause additional disruptions to our operations, and may be unsuccessful.





We plan to expand our international sales and distribution operations, and the success of our international operations is subject to significant uncertainties.





We believe that we must expand our international sales and distribution operations to have continued growth. In fiscal 2011, our sales to countries outside the U.S. represent approximately 30 percent of our total sales.  In addition, we believe a similar proportion of products sold to marketing and OEM partners in the U.S. are distributed by these partners to their non-U.S. affiliates.  We expect to sell an increasing portion of our products to customers overseas.  In attempting to conduct and expand business internationally, we are exposed to various risks that could adversely affect our international operations and, consequently, our operating results, including:




25
 Table of Contents





●
difficulties and costs of staffing and managing international operations;





●
fluctuations in currency exchange rates;





●
unexpected changes in international or local market regulatory requirements, including imposition of currency exchange controls;





●
longer accounts receivable collection cycles;





●
import or export licensing requirements;







●
potentially adverse tax consequences;





●
political and economic instability;





●
obtaining regulatory approvals for our products;




●
end-market and/or regional competition that may have competitive advantages;


●
potentially reduced protection for intellectual property rights; and





●
subjectivity of non-U.S. laws.





Our cash is maintained with a regional bank which may not be fully insured.





We maintain significant amounts of cash and cash equivalents at a financial institution that is in excess of federally insured limits.  Given the current instability of financial institutions, we cannot be assured that we will not experience losses on these deposits.




Efforts to acquire additional companies or product lines may consume managerial resources and we may incur or assume additional liabilities or experience integration problems.





We seek to acquire additional businesses or product lines for strategic reasons, including adding new products, new customers and increasing penetration with existing customers, adding new manufacturing capabilities or expanding into new geographic markets.  Our ability to successfully grow through additional acquisitions depends upon our ability to identify, negotiate, complete and integrate suitable acquisitions and to obtain any necessary financing.  If we were to complete additional acquisitions, we may also experience:





●
difficulties integrating any acquired products into our existing business;





●
delays in realizing the benefits of the acquired products; or





●
diversion of our management’s time and attention to ongoing business.





The market price of our stock may be highly volatile.





The market price of our common stock could fluctuate substantially due to a variety of factors, including:





●
our ability to successfully commercialize our products;





●
the execution of new agreements and material changes in our relationships with companies with whom we contract;





●
quarterly fluctuations in results of operations;





●
announcements regarding technological innovations or new commercial products by us or our competitors or the results of regulatory filings;




26
 Table of Contents




●
market reaction to trends in sales, marketing and R&D and reaction to acquisitions;





●
sales of common stock by existing shareholders;





●
changes in key personnel;





●
economic and political conditions, including worldwide geopolitical events; and





●
fluctuations in the United States financial markets.





Synergetics USA has anti-takeover defenses that could delay or prevent an acquisition and could adversely affect the price of its common stock.





Provisions of our certificate of incorporation, bylaws and Delaware law may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying or preventing changes in the control of the Company, including transactions in which our shareholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares over then current market prices.  In addition, these provisions may limit the ability of our shareholders to approve transactions that they may deem to be in their best interest.  Also, our Board of Directors is divided into three classes, as nearly equal in size as practicable, with three-year staggered terms.  This provision may deter a potential acquirer from engaging in a transaction with us because it will be unable to gain control of our Board of Directors until at least two annual meetings have been held in which directors are elected by our shareholders.





We face risks associated with our collaborative and marketing partner relationships.





Our collaborators may not pursue further development and commercialization of products resulting from collaborations with us or may not devote sufficient resources to the marketing and sales of such products.  We cannot provide assurance that these types of relationships will continue over a longer period of time.  Further, our collaborative partners may develop or pursue alternative technologies either on their own or in collaboration with others.  If a collaborator elects to terminate its agreement with us, our ability to develop, introduce, market and sell the product may be significantly impaired and we may be forced to discontinue altogether the product resulting from the collaboration.  We may not be able to negotiate alternative collaboration agreements on acceptable terms, if at all.  The failure of any current or future collaboration efforts could have a material adverse effect on our ability to introduce new products or applications and therefore could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.





Because we do not require training for users of our products, there exists a potential for misuse of our products, which could harm our reputation and our business.




Our products may be purchased or operated by physicians with varying levels of training. Outside the United States, many jurisdictions do not require specific qualifications or training for purchasers or operators of our products. We do not supervise the procedures performed with our products, nor do we require that direct medical supervision occur. We, and our distributors, generally offer but do not require purchasers or operators of our products to attend training sessions. The lack of training may result in product misuse and adverse treatment outcomes, which could harm our reputation and expose us to costly product liability litigation.





If our facilities were to experience catastrophic loss, our operations would be seriously harmed.





Our facilities could be subject to catastrophic loss such as fire, flood, tornados or earthquake. A substantial portion of our R&D and manufacturing activities, our corporate headquarters and other critical business operations are located near major earthquake faults in O’Fallon, Missouri. We maintain property and business interruption coverages at levels we have determined are reasonable.  Any such loss at any of our facilities could disrupt our operations, delay production, shipments and revenue and result in large expense to repair and replace our facilities.




27
 Table of Contents





Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments





None.


Item 2. Properties





Our primary office and manufacturing operations are conducted in a 60,000 square foot building owned by our wholly owned subsidiary, Synergetics Development Company, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company.  The facility is located in O’Fallon, Missouri, approximately 25 miles west of St. Louis, Missouri.  We also lease approximately 10,000 square feet of additional space adjacent to our headquarters in O’Fallon, Missouri pursuant to a lease that expires on February 29, 2016.  The additional space houses the Advanced Technology R&D Group and Medimold LLC.





We also lease 13,500 square feet of office, assembly and manufacturing space in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, which serves as office, engineering, and manufacturing space.  The lease for this facility expires on October 31, 2012.





We believe that these facilities are suitable and adequate for our operations.  Given our lean manufacturing initiative, we believe that we have the ability to generate additional production capacity using our existing manufacturing facilities.




Item 3. Legal Proceedings




From time to time we may become subject to litigation claims that may greatly exceed our product liability insurance limits.  An adverse outcome of such litigation may adversely impact our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.  We record a liability when a loss is known or considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. If a loss is not probable, a liability is not recorded. As of July 31, 2011, the Company has no litigation reserve recorded.




Item 4. [Removed and Reserved]




PART II




Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities





The Company’s common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the ticker symbol “SURG.”  The table below sets forth the range of high and low sales prices per share of the Company’s common stock as reported by The NASDAQ Capital Market for each of the quarterly periods within the fiscal years ended July 31, 2011 and 2010.  None of the prices shown reflect retail mark-ups, mark-downs or commissions.  For current price information, you are urged to consult publicly available sources.




High


LowYear ended July 31, 2010Quarter ended October 31, 2009

$
1.83


$
1.15Quarter ended January 31, 2010

$
1.63


$
1.19Quarter ended April 30, 2010

$
3.19


$
1.15Quarter ended July 31, 2010

$
3.02


$
2.27Year ended July 31, 2011Quarter ended October 31, 2010

$
3.69


$
2.23Quarter ended January 31, 2011

$
5.14


$
3.20Quarter ended April 30, 2011

$
6.01


$
4.65Quarter ended July 31, 2011

$
5.86


$
5.01





The number of shareholders of Synergetics USA, Inc. as of October 3, 2011, was approximately 4,424.




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 Table of Contents





The Company has not paid a dividend to holders of its common stock since 1996.  We currently intend to retain earnings to finance growth and development of our business and do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the near future.  Our revolving credit facility restricts the payment of dividends, if, following the distribution, the fixed charge coverage ratio would fall below the required minimum ratio.





STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH


The following graph is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed filed with the SEC, and is not to be incorporated by reference into any of the Company’s filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, respectively.





The graph below compares the cumulative total stockholder return on an investment in our common stock, and the stocks of The NASDAQ Composite Stock Market and an index of a peer group of medical companies selected by the Company (the “Peer Group”) for the five-year period ended July 31, 2011.  The Peer Group is composed of six small companies with sales ranging from approximately $24 million to $91 million and whose primary business is medical devices: Bovie Medical Corporation, Endologix, Inc., Iridex, STAAR Surgical Company, Stereotaxis, Inc. and Vascular Solutions, Inc. The graph assumes the value of an investment of $100 in the common stock of each group or entity at August 1, 2006 and that all dividends were reinvested.










Item 6. Selected Financial Data





The selected financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  The statements of income data for the years ended July 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 and the balance sheet data as of July 31, 2011 and 2010 have been derived from audited consolidated financial statements of the Company included elsewhere in this report.  The consolidated statements of income for the year ended July 31, 2008 and 2007 and the balance sheets data as of July 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 have been derived from audited consolidated financial statements that are not included in this report.  The historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected in the future.




29
 Table of Contents




For the Fiscal Years Ended July 31,2011


2010



2009*



2008



2007(in thousands, except per share data)Statements of Income Data:Sales

$
55,845


$
52,075


$
52,965


$
50,063


$
45,945Cost of sales


23,121



22,166



23,550



20,101



18,943Gross profit


32,724



29,909



29,415



29,962



27,002Operating income


8,292



6,040



3,125



5,208



1,518Net income


5,633



5,733



1,595



2,663



845Earnings per common share – Basic

$
0.23


$
0.23


$
0.07


$
0.11


$
0.03Earnings per common share –Diluted

$
0.23


$
0.23


$
0.07


$
0.11


$
0.03


*     In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company recorded an adjustment of approximately $975,000 or approximately $0.03 earnings per share, net of tax, primarily due to excess and discontinued inventory which was either contributed to a charitable organization or was discarded.





As of Fiscal Years Ended July 31,2011


2010


2009


2008


2007(in thousands)Balance Sheets Data:Cash and cash equivalents

$
18,399


$
18,669


$
160


$
500


$
167Current assets


43,817



41,066



25,358



24,549



24,010Total assets


81,310



73,095



58,080



58,396



58,616Current liabilities


12,586



6,349



11,948



11,865



13,657Long-term liabilities


18,060



22,520



8,002



10,174



11,524Retained earnings


24,952



19,319



13,586



11,991



9,328Stockholders’ equity


50,664



44,226



38,130



36,357



33,435


Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations





Overview





The following “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” commonly referred to as MD&A, is intended to help the reader understand Synergetics USA, its operations and its business environment.  MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our consolidated audited financial statements and accompanying notes.  This overview summarizes the MD&A, which includes the following sections:





●
Our Business — a general description of the key drivers that affect our business and the industries in which we operate.





●
Our Business Strategy — a description of the strategic initiatives on which we focus and the goals we seek to achieve.





●
Results of Operations — an analysis of the Company’s results of operations for the three years presented in our financial statements.





●
Liquidity and Capital Resources — an analysis of cash flows, sources and uses of cash, currency exchange and an overview of our financial position.





●
Contractual Obligations — an analysis of contracts entered into in the normal course of business that will require future payments.





●
Use of Estimates and Critical Accounting Policies — a description of critical accounting policies including those that affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.


Our Business
 
 The Company is a medical device company.  Through continuous improvement and development of our people, our mission is to design, manufacture and market innovative surgical devices and consumables of the highest quality in order to assist and enable surgeons who perform surgery around the world to provide a better quality of life for their patients.  The Company’s primary focus is on the surgical disciplines of ophthalmology (vitreoretinal) and neurosurgery. Our distribution channels include a combination of direct and independent sales organizations and important strategic alliances with market leaders. The Company’s product lines focus upon precision engineered disposable and reusable devices, procedural kits and the delivery of laser energy, ultrasound, electrosurgery, aspiration, illumination and irrigation, often delivered in multiple combinations.  Enterprise-wide sales information is included in Note 15 to the consolidated audited financial statements.


30
 Table of Contents




New Product Sales





The Company’s business strategy has been, and is expected to continue to be, the development, manufacture and marketing of new technologies for the ophthalmic (vitreoretinal) and neurosurgical markets.  New products, which management defines as products first available for sale within the prior 24-month period, accounted for approximately $4.5 million, or 8.0 percent, of total sales for the Company for fiscal 2011.  For fiscal 2010, new products accounted for approximately $2.0 million, or 3.8 percent, of total sales for the Company.  These new product sales were primarily in our disposable products both in the ophthalmic and marketing partners’ markets.  The Company’s past revenue growth has been closely aligned with the adoption by surgeons of new technologies introduced by the Company.  We expect adoption rates for the Company’s new products in the future to have a positive effect on its operating performance.





Demand Trends





The Company’s sales increased 7.2 percent during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011 (including $1.0 million of deferred revenue recognized) compared with the previous fiscal year.  The two most significant factors impacting this increase were a $2.9 million increase in ophthalmic sales and a $2.1 million increase in OEM sales.  The increased sales were partially offset by a $1.4 million decrease in our neurosurgery sales due to the transition of the majority of our direct neurosurgery product sales to our marketing partners. The largest portion of this decline can be attributed to the loss of $1.1 million of Omni® capital equipment that was included in our direct neurosurgery sales and which the Company no longer sells. Overall sales of our disposable products grew $5.0 million, or 12.6 percent, in fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010.  Sales of capital equipment, including the sales of Omni®capital equipment, declined by approximately $2.3 million, or 19.0 percent, in fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010. The downward trend, after excluding the loss of the Omni® ultrasonic aspirator sales, is a result of hospitals tightly controlling their capital budgets.




A study performed by Market Scope in February 2011 predicts a steady growth of 3.6 percent per year in retinal procedures worldwide driven by an increase in the elderly population worldwide, an increase in the number of surgeons, an increase in the number of diseases treated with vitrectomy and an increase in frequency of diabetic complications due to the obesity epidemic.   We estimate that the vitreoretinal market grew approximately seven percent to $935 million in 2011.





Neurosurgical procedures on a global basis continue to rise at an estimated 2 to 3 percent growth rate driven by an aging global population, new technologies, advances in surgical techniques and a growing global market resulting from ongoing improvements in healthcare delivery in third world countries, among other factors. Based upon this growth in procedures, sales of neurosurgical products worldwide are forecasted to increase by approximately 4 percent.





In addition, the Company believes that the demand for high quality, innovate products and new technologies consistent with the Company’s devices and disposables will continue to favorably impact procedure growth in the ophthalmic and neurosurgical markets.





Pricing Trends





The Company has generally been able to maintain the average selling prices for its products in the face of downward pricing pressure in the healthcare industry. However, increased competition in the Company’s capital equipment market segments, in combination with customer budget constraints, capital scarcity and the transition of procedures to the ambulatory surgery center, has the potential to negatively impact the Company’s selling prices on these devices. The Company has no major domestic group purchasing agreements.




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 Table of Contents





Economic Trends





Economic conditions may continue to negatively impact capital expenditures at the hospital, ambulatory surgical center and physician level. Further, global economic conditions continue to negatively impact the volume and average selling price of the Company’s capital equipment.





Our Business Strategy





The Company’s key strategy is to enhance shareholder value through profitable revenue growth in ophthalmology and neurosurgery markets through the identification and development of reusable and disposable devices in conjunction with leading surgeons and marketing partners and to build out a strong operational infrastructure and financial foundation within which prudently financed growth opportunities can be realized and implemented.  At the same time, we will maintain vigilance and sensitivity to new challenges which may arise from changes in the definition and delivery of appropriate healthcare in our fields of interest.  In fiscal 2012, our primary strategic priorities are to drive the Company onto a different growth trajectory by introducing new products and to continue to enhance the profitability of our operational platform by focusing on manufacturing efficiencies.  For additional detail on the Company’s Strategy, see Part I, Item 1, “Business – Strategy.”





Results of Operations





Year Ended July 31, 2011 Compared to Year Ended July 31, 2010





Net Sales





The following table presents net sales by category (dollars in thousands):





Fiscal Year Ended July 31,2011


2010


% Increase

(Decrease)Ophthalmic

$
34,547


$
31,689



9.0
%Direct Neurosurgery


1,571



8,175



(80.8
%)Marketing Partners


9,448



4,204



124.7
%Total Neurosurgery


11,019



12,379



(11.0
%)OEM


10,007



7,878



27.0
%Other


272



129



110.9
%Total

$
55,845


$
52,075



7.2
%




Ophthalmic sales grew 9.0 percent in fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010. Domestic ophthalmic sales increased 4.5 percent and international ophthalmic sales increased 14.6 percent primarily due to sales of disposable products.





Direct neurosurgery sales fell $6.6 million, or 80.8 percent, to $1.6 million in fiscal 2011 compared with fiscal 2010. This decline in neurosurgery sales was the result of the transition of the majority of our direct neurosurgery product sales to Codman and Stryker under new marketing partner agreements during fiscal 2010. New sales to our domestic marketing partners comprised $9.4 million of sales in fiscal 2011, partially offsetting the loss in neurosurgery sales. Total neurosurgery sales, including sales to marketing partners, declined $1.4 million in fiscal 2011, or 11.0 percent.  The largest portion of this decline can be attributed to the loss of $1.1 million of Omni® capital equipment that was included in our direct neurosurgery sales and which the Company no longer sells. Total traditional OEM sales increased 27.0 percent to $10.0 million in fiscal 2011 compared with $7.9 million in fiscal 2010 (including $1.0 million of deferred revenue recognized).





Overall sales of our disposable products grew $5.0 million, or 12.6 percent, in fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010.  Sales of capital equipment, including the sales of Omni®capital equipment, declined by approximately $2.3 million, or 19.0 percent, in fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010. The downward trend, after excluding the loss of the Omni® ultrasonic aspirator sales, is a result of hospitals tightly controlling their capital budgets.




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The following table presents domestic and international net sales (dollars in thousands):





Year Ended July 31,2011


2010


% IncreaseUnited States (including sales to marketing partners)

$
39,185


$
35,417



10.6
%International  (including Canada)


16,660



16,658



0.0
%Total

$
55,845


$
52,075



7.2
%





Domestic sales increased 10.6 percent in fiscal 2011 due to increases in ophthalmic, OEM and marketing partner sales which are all, except for ophthalmic, recorded as domestic sales.  The increase in international ophthalmology sales of 14.6 percent was offset by the decline in international neurosurgery sales in fiscal 2011 due to the shift in sales from direct international neurosurgery sales to our marketing partners, as these sales are included in domestic revenue.





Gross Profit





Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 58.6 percent in fiscal 2011, compared to 57.4 percent in fiscal 2010.  Gross profit as a percentage of net sales for fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010 increased 1.2 percentage points due to the improved margins on our ophthalmology products and recognition of deferred revenue from our OEM partners, partially offset by the margin impact of the transition of the majority of our direct neurosurgery sales to our marketing partners.  The Company continues to realize incremental savings from the lean manufacturing initiative and will continue to develop its internal resources to expand the lean initiative throughout the entire organization.





Operating Expenses (dollars in thousands)




Fiscal Year Ended July 31,2011


2010$’s


% of Sales



$’s


% of SalesR&D costs

$
3,713



6.6
%

$
3,008



5.8
%Selling expenses


11,474



20.5
%


11,958



23.0
%General and administrative


9,245



16.6
%


8,903



17.1
%




R&D costs increased $705,000 to $3.7 million for fiscal 2011 when compared to fiscal 2010.  As of July 31, 2011, there were 28 active, major projects in various stages of completion.  The Company’s R&D investment is driven by the opportunities to develop new products to meet the needs of its surgeon customers, and reflects the Company’s R&D budget.  This results in an investment rate that is comparable to such spending by other medical device companies.  The Company expects over the next few years to invest in R&D at a rate of approximately 7 percent of net sales.





Selling expenses, which consist of salaries, commissions and direct expenses, decreased $484,000 to $11.5 million, or 20.5 percent of sales, for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011, compared to $12.0 million, or 23.0 percent of net sales, for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010.  The decrease in sales and marketing as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to the elimination of our neurosurgery sales force as of July 31, 2009 as the residual cost was eliminated throughout fiscal 2010.





General and administrative (“G&A”) expenses increased by approximately $342,000 during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011 and as a percentage of net sales were 16.6 percent for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011 as compared to 17.1 percent for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010.  The increase in G&A expenses was primarily due to additional employees required to manage the implementation of our lean manufacturing initiative and quality improvement initiatives.




33
 Table of Contents





Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, and is recognized over the directors’ and employees’ requisite service period.  The Company will continue to grant options to its independent directors and officers but uses restricted stock to provide incentive compensation for its non-officer employees.  As of July 31, 2011, the future compensation cost expected to be recognized is approximately $129,000 in fiscal 2012, $68,000 in fiscal 2013, $68,000 in fiscal 2014, $56,000 in fiscal 2015 and $20,000 in fiscal 2016.  However, the major portion of our stock compensation cost arises from our stock option grants to our directors, which is recognized pro-ratably over the year as the options vest.  As of July 31, 2011, there was approximately $409,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested, restricted-stock based compensation arrangements granted under a stock option plan adopted by Valley Forge in 2001.  The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of four years, which is generally the vesting period.





Other Income/Expense





Other expense in fiscal 2011 increased to $213,000 compared to income of $2.8 million in fiscal 2010. The increase was primarily due to the one-time impact of the $817,000 gain from sale of the Omni® product line to Stryker and the $2.4 million in settlement gain from Alcon which both occurred in fiscal 2010. Interest expense decreased to $289,000 in fiscal 2011 as the Company was able to pay off the remaining bond on the O’Fallon, Missouri facility and further reduce its other debt.  In addition, the Company recorded a $99,000 loss on the sale of the Omni® product line to Stryker as certain receivables were deemed to be uncollectible due to the change in the distribution model.





Operating Income, Income Taxes and Net Income





Operating income for fiscal 2011 was $8.3 million, as compared to operating income of $6.0 million in the comparable 2010 fiscal period. The increase in operating income was primarily the result of a 7.2 percent increase in net sales (including $1.0 million of deferred revenue recognized) partially offset by a 4.3 percent increase in cost of goods sold for a net increase in gross profit of $2.8 million.  In addition, operating income was favorably impacted in fiscal 2011 by a decrease of $484,000 in selling expenses offset by a $705,000 and $342,000 increase in R&D and G&A costs, respectively.





For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011, the Company recorded a $2.4 million income tax provision on a pre-tax income of $8.1 million, or 30.3 percent effective tax rate.  For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010, the Company recorded a $3.1 million income tax provision on pre-tax income of $8.8 million, or 35.0 percent effective tax rate.  The Company’s effective tax rate decreased for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011 due to the re-enactment of the R&D tax credit, the increase in the domestic production deduction from 6 percent to 9 percent and approximately $100,000 of R&D tax credit from the prior year as this credit was re-enacted during the second quarter of fiscal 2011.  The R&D credit from the prior year was for the period that the credit was expired (i.e. from January 1, 2010 through July 31, 2010), and the Company could not accrue the benefits the credit afforded.





Net income decreased by $100,000 to $5.6 million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011 from $5.7 million for the same period in fiscal 2010.  Basic and diluted earnings per share for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011 remained flat at $0.23 when compared to the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010.  Basic weighted average shares outstanding increased from 24,618,403 at July 31, 2010 to 24,901,832 at July 31, 2011.




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Year Ended July 31, 2010 Compared to Year Ended July 31, 2009





Net Sales





The following table presents net sales by category (dollars in thousands):





Fiscal Year EndedJuly 31,


% Increase2010


2009


(Decrease)Ophthalmic

$
31,689


$
29,981



5.7
%Direct Neurosurgery


8,175



13,968



(41.5
)%Marketing Partners


4,204



—



N/MTotal Neurosurgery


12,379



13,968



(11.4
)%OEM


7,878



8,538



(7.7
)%Other


129



478



(73.0
)%Total

$
52,075


$
52,965



(1.7
)%





Ophthalmic sales grew 5.7 percent in fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009. Domestic ophthalmic sales decreased 1.9 percent, while international ophthalmic sales increased 16.9 percent primarily due to sales of disposable products. Direct neurosurgery sales fell $5.8 million, or 41.5 percent, to $8.2 million in fiscal 2010 compared with fiscal 2009. This decline in neurosurgery sales was the result of the transition of the majority of our direct neurosurgery sales to Codman and Stryker under new marketing partner agreements during fiscal 2010. New sales to our domestic marketing partners comprised $4.2 million of sales in fiscal 2010, partially offsetting the loss in neurosurgery sales. Total neurosurgery sales, including sales to marketing partners, declined $1.6 million in fiscal 2010, or 11.4 percent, as compared to fiscal 2009. Total OEM sales fell 7.7 percent in fiscal 2010 to $7.9 million compared with $8.5 million in fiscal 2009.





The two most significant factors impacting the decrease in our sales during fiscal 2010 were the transition of the majority of our direct neurosurgery sales to our marketing partners which resulted in a $1.6 million decrease in our net sales and the significant decline in our capital equipment sales of approximately $3.4 million, or 22.1 percent, in fiscal 2010, which came from hospitals tightly controlling their capital budgets during the fiscal year. These decreases were primarily offset by the growth in our disposable product sales of $2.5 million, or 6.7 percent.





The following table presents domestic and international net sales (dollars in thousands):





Fiscal Year Ended July 31,2010


2009


% DecreaseUnited States (including sales to marketing partners)

$
35,417


$
36,047



(1.7
)%International (including Canada)


16,658



16,918



(1.5
)%Total

$
52,075


$
52,965



(1.7
)%





Domestic and international sales decreased 1.7 and 1.5 percent, in fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal 2009, respectively. In fiscal 2010, sales of domestic ophthalmology decreased 1.9 percent, while international ophthalmology sales increased 16.9 percent. Domestic neurosurgery sales decreased 38.4 percent and international neurosurgery sales decreased 47.4 percent in fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal 2009. Sales to our marketing partners represented $4.2 million in sales during fiscal 2010, partially offsetting the loss of neurosurgery sales.





Gross Profit





Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 57.4 percent in fiscal 2010, compared to 55.5 percent in fiscal 2009. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales for fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009 increased approximately 2.0 percentage points. There were several factors which impacted the gross profit margin increase in fiscal 2010: the elimination of a non-recurring $826,000 fourth quarter write-off in fiscal 2009 of inventory primarily due to excess and discontinued inventory and improved absorption of both labor and overhead deriving from our lean manufacturing initiative, partially offset by the change in our sales mix arising from the increase in our international ophthalmic sales and from transitioning the majority of our neurosurgery product sales to our marketing partners.




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 Table of Contents





Operating Expenses (Dollars in thousands)


Fiscal Year Ended July 31,2010


2009$’s


% of Sales



$’s


% of SalesR&D costs

$
3,008



5.8
%

$
2,998



5.7
%Selling expenses


11,958



23.0
%


14,262



26.9
%G&A expenses


8,903



17.1
%


9,030



17.0
%





R&D costs remained flat at $3.0 million, or 5.8 percent of sales, for fiscal 2010 when compared to fiscal 2009. As of July 31, 2010, there were 23 active, major projects in various stages of completion.





Selling expenses, which consist of salaries, commissions and direct expenses, decreased approximately $2.3 million to $12.0 million, or 23.0 percent of sales, for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010, compared to $14.3 million, or 26.9 percent of net sales, for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009. In July 2009, the Company completed a reduction in personnel of approximately 10 percent of its workforce including most of its direct neurosurgical sales force. This realignment was designed to position the Company to attain increased profitability through the elimination of a substantial portion of its commercial expenses associated with direct distribution of these neurosurgical products.





G&A expenses decreased by $127,000 during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010 and as a percentage of net sales were 17.1 percent for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010 as compared to 17.0 percent for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009. The Company’s legal expenses decreased by $391,000 during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010 compared to the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009 primarily due to elimination of the cost associated with the Alcon patent and trademark infringement lawsuit. The legal expense decrease was partially offset by various other increases.





Other Income/Expense





Other income in fiscal 2010 increased significantly to $2.8 million compared to an expense of $755,000 in fiscal 2009. The increase was primarily due to the one-time impact of the $817,000 gain from sale of the Omni® product line to Stryker and the $2.4 million in settlement gain from Alcon. In addition, interest expense decreased $272,000 as the Company was able to pay down its lines of credit and other debt with the reductions in the carrying value of inventory, the proceeds from the sale of the Omni® product line and the settlement proceeds from Alcon.





Operating Income, Income Taxes and Net Income





Operating income for fiscal 2010 was $6.0 million, as compared to operating income of $3.1 million in the comparable 2009 fiscal period. The increase in operating income was primarily the result of a 1.7 percent decrease in net sales offset by a 5.9 percent decrease in cost of goods sold for a net increase in gross profit of $494,000. In addition, operating income was favorably impacted in fiscal 2010 by a decrease of $2.3 million in selling expenses and a $127,000 decrease in G&A costs, partially offset by a slight increase in R&D costs.




For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010, the Company recorded a $3.1 million income tax provision on a pre-tax income of $8.8 million, or 35.0 percent effective tax rate. For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009, the Company recorded a $775,000 income tax provision on pre-tax income of $2.4 million, or 32.7 percent effective tax rate. The Company’s effective tax rate increased for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010 due to the increase in pre-tax income, causing the relative portion of the provision that is made up by the research and experimentation credit and the manufacturing deduction to decrease. In addition, the research and experimentation credit expired as of December 31, 2009.




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 Table of Contents





Net income increased by $4.1 million to $5.7 million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010, from $1.6 million for the same period in fiscal 2009. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010 increased to $0.23 from $0.07 for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009. Basic weighted average shares outstanding increased from 24,459,749 at July 31, 2009 to 24,618,403 at July 31, 2010.





Liquidity and Capital Resources





The Company had $18.4 million in cash and cash equivalents and total interest-bearing debt of $1.1 million as of July 31, 2011.





Working capital, including the management of inventory and accounts receivable, is a management focus. At July 31, 2011, the Company had an average of 73 days of sales outstanding (“DSO”) in accounts receivable.  The 73 DSO at July 31, 2011 was 10 days higher when compared to July 31, 2010 and 2009 utilizing the trailing twelve months of sales. The increase in the DSO is due to the Company’s fourth quarter sales in fiscal 2011 represented 28.3 percent of total sales for the year as compared to fiscal 2010 when fourth quarter sales represented 25.1 percent of total sales for the year.





At July 31, 2011, the Company had 196 days of inventory on hand.  The inventory on hand was unchanged when compared to July 31, 2010 and 37 days favorable to July 31, 2009 utilizing the trailing twelve months of cost of sales.  Although management attained its goal of reducing inventory to $13 million in the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010, it has since raised inventory levels to what it believes is sufficient to support new product launches and to support service level goals.





Cash flows provided by operating activities were $4.8 million for the year ended July 31, 2011, compared to cash flows provided by operating activities of approximately $27.3 million for the comparable fiscal 2010 period.  The decrease of approximately $22.5 million was primarily attributable to the impact of change in the deferred revenue arising from the settlement with Alcon of approximately $19.5 million. In addition, the decrease was attributable to net increases applicable to deferred income taxes of $5.8 million, receivables of $1.9 million, and inventories of $3.5 million.  These decreases were partially offset by net increases applicable primarily to income taxes payable of $6.2 million, $1.0 million increase in accrued expenses, the change in the gain on sale of the Omni® product line of $916,000 and higher prepaid expenses of $239,000.





Cash flows used by investing activities were $2.3 million for the year ended July 31, 2011, compared to cash provided by investing activities of $337,000 for the comparable fiscal 2010 period.  During the year ended July 31, 2011, cash additions to property and equipment were $2.1 million, compared to $1.1 million for fiscal 2010.  Increases in cash additions in fiscal 2011 to property and equipment were primarily due to the purchase of machinery and equipment to meet the increased demand of our marketing partners and the purchase of our new enterprise resource planning system which was implemented on August 1, 2011.  Proceeds from the sale of the Omni® product line were approximately $1.5 million during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010.





Cash flows used in financing activities were approximately $2.7 million for the year ended July 31, 2011, compared to cash used in financing activities of $9.1 million for the year ended July 31, 2010.  The decrease of $6.4 million was attributable primarily to the decrease in payments on the lines-of-credit of $5.0 million and principal payments on revenue bonds payable and long-term debt of $1.1 million.  The Company paid off its last outstanding revenue bond during fiscal 2011.





The Company had the following committed financing arrangements as of July 31, 2011:





Revolving Credit Facility:The Company has a credit facility with a bank which allows for borrowings of up to $9.5 million with an interest rate based on either the one-, two- or three-month LIBOR plus 2.00 percent and adjusting each quarter based upon our leverage ratio. As of July 31, 2011, interest under the facility is charged at 2.19 percent. The unused portion of the facility is charged at a rate of 0.20 percent. There were no borrowings under this facility at July 31, 2011. Outstanding amounts are collateralized by the Company’s domestic receivables and inventory. This credit facility was amended on November 30, 2010, to extend the termination date through November 30, 2011.  The Company expects this credit facility to be renewed.




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 Table of Contents





The facility has two financial covenants: a maximum leverage ratio of 3.75 times and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.1 times. As of July 31, 2011, the Company’s leverage ratio was 1.13 times and the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio was 5.33 times. Collateral availability under the line as of July 31, 2011 was approximately $8.6 million. The facility restricts the payment of dividends if, following the distribution, the fixed charge coverage ratio would fall below the required minimum.




Equipment Line of Credit: Under this credit facility, the Company may borrow up to $1.0 million, with interest currently at one-month LIBOR plus 3.0 percent. Pursuant to the terms of the equipment line of credit, under no circumstance shall the rate be less than 3.5 percent per annum. The unused portion of the facility is not charged a fee. There were no borrowings under this line as of July 31, 2011. The equipment line of credit was amended on November 30, 2010 to extend the maturity date to November 30, 2011.  The Company expects this credit facility to be renewed.





Management believes that cash flows from operations, together with available cash, will be sufficient to meet the Company’s working capital (including taxes due on the Alcon settlement), capital expenditure and debt service needs for the next twelve months.  In addition, the remaining deferred revenue from the Alcon settlement will flow through our statement of income over approximately the next fifteen years.  However, as the cash has already been collected, it will not impact our future liquidity and will reduce our cash flow from operations.





Contractual Obligations





The Company has entered into contracts with various third parties in the normal course of business that will require future payments.  The following illustrates the Company’s contractual obligations as of July 31, 2011:


Payments due by PeriodContractual Obligations

Total


Less than

1 Year


1-3 Years


4-5 Years


More than

5 YearsMalis® Trademark Note Payable (1)


313,000



313,000



—



—



—Settlement Obligation (2)


800,000



800,000



—



—



—Operating Leases (3)


859,000



337,000



475,000



47,000



—Total Contractual Obligations

$
1,972,000


$
1,450,000


$
475,000


$
47,000


$
--





(1)
Amount represents the expected cash payment on the note payable to the estate of the late Dr. Leonard I. Malis.  The note includes interest at an imputed rate of 6.0 percent.





(2)
Amount represents the expected cash payment on the settlement obligation to Iridex.  The note includes interest at an imputed rate of 8.0 percent.





(3)
We enter into operating leases in the normal course of business.  Some lease agreements provide us with the option to renew the lease.  Our future cash payment would change if we exercised these renewal options or if we entered into additional operating lease agreements.





Use of Estimates and Critical Accounting Policies





The financial results of the Company are affected by the selection and application of accounting policies and methods. Significant accounting policies which require management’s judgment are discussed below.


Revenue Recognition
 
 The Company primarily records revenue from product sales when the revenue is realized and the product is shipped from its facilities.  This includes satisfying the following criteria: the arrangement with the customer is evident, usually through receipt of a purchase order; the sales price is fixed and determinable; delivery to the carrier has occurred; and collectability is reasonably ensured.  Freight and shipping billed to customers is included in net sales, and the cost of shipping is included in cost of sales.  Sales tax billed to customers is included as a liability as products are shipped.


38
 Table of Contents




The terms and conditions of sales to both our domestic and international distributors do not differ materially from the terms and conditions of sales to our domestic and international end-user customers.





Service revenue substantially relates to repairs of products and is recognized when the service has been completed.  Revenue from royalty fees is recorded as the products bearing the trademark are shipped.





Deferred Revenue




In December 2010, the Company received a payment from Codman to establish exclusivity on certain generator products and accessories.  Revenue from this payment has been deferred and is being amortized over the expected term of the agreement.




On April 23, 2010, the Company entered into a Settlement and License Agreement with Alcon  pursuant to which Alcon paid to the Company $32.0 million. The net proceeds to the Company were $21.4 million after contingency payments to attorneys. The Company recognized a gain from this agreement of $2.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2010. The remaining $19.0 million has been accounted for as an up-front license fee under the Confidential Settlement and License Agreement and will be deferred and recognized as earned over a period currently estimated to be fifteen years based upon the units expected to be shipped to Alcon under a Supply Agreement entered pursuant to the settlement.  The Company has recognized $696,000 of this revenue as the estimate of these shipments has been revised for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011.  Significant and unanticipated changes to the forecasted unit volume over the life of the agreement or changes in the expected contribution margins associated with these products could change the timing of the revenue recognized under this agreement.





Inventories





Inventories, consisting of purchased materials, direct labor and manufacturing overhead, are stated at the lower of cost, with cost being determined using the first-in, first-out method, or market.  The Company’s inventory is very dynamic and new products are added frequently.  Thus, the Company reviews the valuation of its inventory on a quarterly basis and determines if a valuation allowance is necessary for items that have not had their values updated recently.  In addition, the Company evaluates inventories for excess quantities and identified obsolescence quarterly.  The Company’s evaluation includes an analysis of historical sales levels by product and projections of future demand, as well as estimates of quantities required to support warranty and other repairs.  To the extent that it determines there are some excess quantities based on its projected levels of sales and other requirements, or obsolete material in inventory, it records valuation reserves against all or a portion of the value of the related parts or products.  If future cost valuations, future demand or market conditions are different from the Company’s projections, a change in recorded inventory valuation reserves may be required and would be reflected in cost of sales in the period the revision is made.


Amortization Periods





The Company records amortization of intangible assets using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of these assets.  It bases the determination of these useful lives on the period over which it expects the related assets to contribute to its cash flows or in the case of patents, their legal life, whichever is shorter.  If the Company’s assessment of the useful lives of intangible assets changes, it may change future amortization expense (see Impairment of Long-Lived Assets).


Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
 
 The Company evaluates the collectability of accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. In circumstances where a specific customer is unable to meet its financial obligations to the Company, the Company records an allowance against amounts due to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount that management reasonably expects to collect. For all other customers, the Company records allowances for doubtful accounts based on the length of time the receivables are past due, the current business environment and historical experience. Accounts receivable are written off when deemed uncollectible.  Recoveries of accounts receivable previously written off are recorded when received.  The Company generally does not charge interest on past-due amounts in accounts receivable.  The Company has a history of minimal uncollectible accounts.  If the financial condition of customers or the length of time that receivables are past due were to change, the Company may change the recorded amount of allowances for doubtful accounts in the future.


39
 Table of Contents




Patents and Research and Development





Incremental legal and other costs to obtain patents are capitalized to a patent asset.  Salaries, benefits and other direct costs of product development are expensed as operating expenses in R&D costs.  Patents are amortized to operations under the straight-line method over the shorter of the remaining statutory life of the patent or the cash flow stream associated with that patent.





Goodwill





As of July 31, 2011, we have recorded $10.7 million of goodwill.  We perform purchase price allocations including recognition of intangible assets when we make a business combination.  The excess of the purchase price after the allocation of fair values to tangible assets and identifiable intangibles is allocated to goodwill.  We make judgments and estimates in conjunction with the carrying value of these assets, including amounts to be capitalized and whether the assets have finite or indefinite lives for amortization purposes.  Currently, we have one reporting unit.





We perform our annual impairment test on goodwill in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350-20-35.  Absent any impairment indicators, goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis.  The Company performs its impairment tests during the fourth fiscal quarter.  Our tests may include three approaches to determine the fair value of our reporting unit.  The first approach is Discounted Cash Flows, which focuses on our expected cash flows available for common equity owners.  Net cash flows to equity is defined as our earnings plus depreciation, amortization and interest expense, or EBITDA, less our estimated usage of cash for debt, capital expenditures and working capital changes.  The resulting net cash flows and the terminal value (our value of invested capital at the end of the five year projection period) are then discounted to derive an indication of the present value of the Company’s invested capital.  Interest-bearing debt is then subtracted to arrive at the Company’s fair value of equity.  This valuation method is dependent upon management’s assumptions made regarding future cash flow and cash requirements and the discount factor used to determine the present value of our future cash flows.  If necessary, we would also analyze two additional valuation methods:  the Guideline Company approach and the Market Capitalization approach.  The Guideline Company approach focuses on comparing the Company to selected reasonably similar, publicly traded companies.  Under this approach, valuation multiples are: (i) derived from operating data of selected similar companies; (ii) evaluated and adjusted based on our strengths and weaknesses relative to this selected group of guideline companies; and (iii) applied to our revenues and EBITDA to arrive at an indication of invested capital.  Interest bearing-debt is subtracted and a control premium and cash balances are added to arrive at the fair value of the Company’s equity.  This valuation approach is dependent upon the assumption that our value can be evaluated by analysis of our earnings and strengths and weaknesses relative to the selected similar companies and an appropriate control premium can be determined.  The Market Capitalization approach focuses on the Company’s market capitalization over a period of time and applies a control premium to arrive at an indication of fair value.  This valuation approach is dependent upon the performance of our stock and the control premiums utilized in acquisitions completed in the healthcare equipment and supplies industry.





The fair value determined under the Discounted Cash Flows methodology in fiscal 2011 resulted in an indication of value which exceeded the book value of the reporting unit by approximately 224 percent.  Significant and unanticipated changes to these assumptions or the Company’s operating performance could require a provision for impairment in a future period.




40
 Table of Contents





Other Intangibles





As of July 31, 2011, we have recorded $5.9 million of indefinite-lived intangible assets for the Malis® trademark.  The life of a trademark is inextricably related to the life of the product bearing the mark or the life of the business entity owning the trademark.  The Company intends to use the trademark indefinitely, and therefore, its useful life is not limited to any specific product.  We perform impairment tests on the carrying value of our indefinite-lived intangible assets at least annually at the end of July or sooner if we identify an event suggesting possible impairment of the value of this asset.  We test indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment using the Discounted Cash Flow methodology, which focuses on our expected cash flows derived from the use of the intangible asset.  With respect to the trademark, the expected cash flows are reduced by the related income taxes and debt.  The indication of value for the trademark exceeds its book value by approximately 38 percent as of July 31, 2011.  Significant and unanticipated changes to either the market for the Malis® branded products or our contract authorizing the use of the Malis® trademark could require a provision for impairment in a future period.





Impairment of Long-Lived Assets





Long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangible assets to be held and used are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such asset may not be recoverable.  Determination of recoverability is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the group of assets and their eventual disposition.  Measurement of an impairment loss for long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangible assets that management expects to hold and use is based on the fair value of the asset. Long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangible assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.





Tax Assets and Liabilities





We account for income taxes in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC Topic 740”), which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities.  ASC Topic 740 also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if its “more likely than not” that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset not be realized.  In our annual evaluation of the need for a valuation allowance, we take into account various factors, including the expected level of future taxable income in our tax jurisdictions and available tax planning strategies.  If actual results differ from these assumptions made in our annual evaluation of our valuation allowance, we may record a change in valuation allowance through income tax expense in the period this determination is made.  At July 31, 2011, we had deferred tax assets related to net foreign operating loss carryforwards with a tax value of $1.9 million.  These net foreign operating loss carryforwards have various expiration dates, depending on the country and period in which they occurred.  The Company has not established a valuation allowance for these deferred tax assets based upon the Company’s ability to use these losses by implementing tax planning strategies, projected future taxable income and the expiration dates of these carryforwards.





In addition, the calculations of our tax liabilities involve dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulation.  On August 1, 2007, we adopted the provisions of ASC Topic 740 related to uncertain tax positions.  It is inherently difficult and subjective to estimate such amounts, as we have to determine the probability of certain outcomes.  We reevaluate these positions on a quarterly basis including an analysis of changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, effectively settled issues or net audit activity.  Such a change in recognition or measurement would result in the recognition of an additional charge to the tax provision.





Stock-Based Compensation





The Company utilizes FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation” in accounting for its employee stock options.  Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award and is recognized over the directors’ and employees’ requisite service period.  Compensation expense is calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  Of the inputs into the Black-Scholes option pricing model, the one that can impact the value of the options the most is the volatility factor.  For awards occurring in fiscal year ended July 31, 2011, the Company has utilized a volatility factor of 75.4 percent in this calculation.  In addition, the Company utilized an expected average risk-free interest rate of 3.30 percent, an expected average life of 10 years and no expected dividends.




41
 Table of Contents





Recent Accounting Pronouncements





Information about recent accounting pronouncements is included in Note 18 to the consolidated audited financial statements.




Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk




The Company’s primary market risks include fluctuations in interest rates and exchange rate variability.




The Company has $18.4 million in cash and cash equivalents with a substantial portion of this cash held in short-term money market funds bearing interest at 70 basis points.  Interest income from these funds is subject to market risk in the form of fluctuations in interest rates.  A reduction in the interest on these funds to 35 basis points would decrease the amount of interest income from these funds by approximately $64,000.





The Company has a revolving credit facility and an equipment line of credit facility in place. The revolving credit facility had no outstanding balance at July 31, 2011, bearing interest at a current rate of LIBOR plus 2.0 percent. The equipment line of credit facility had no outstanding balance at July 31, 2011, bearing interest at one-month LIBOR plus 3.0 percent. Interest expense from these credit facilities is subject to market risk in the form of fluctuations in interest rates. Because the current levels of borrowings are zero, there would be no market risk associated with the interest rates. The Company does not perform any interest rate hedging activities related to these three facilities.





Additionally, the Company has exposure to non-U.S. currency fluctuations through export sales to international accounts. As only approximately 7 percent of our sales revenue is denominated in non-U.S. currencies, we estimate that a change in the relative strength of the dollar to non-U.S. currencies would not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations. The Company does not conduct any hedging activities related to non-U.S. currency.




Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data




Financial statements and financial statement schedules specified by this Item, together with the report thereon by UHY LLP, are filed pursuant to Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.





Information on quarterly results of operations is set forth in Note 17, “Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)” to our consolidated audited financial statements.




Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure




None.




Item 9A. Controls and Procedures


Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures — We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of July 31, 2011.  Based upon such review and evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the date of such evaluation to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.




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Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting — Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting.  Our internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP.  All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations.  Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
 
 We conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework of Internal Control over Financial Reporting issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  This evaluation included review of the documentation of controls, evaluation of the design effectiveness of controls, testing of the operating effectiveness of controls and a conclusion of this evaluation.  Based on its evaluation, management concluded our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of July 31, 2011.
 
 Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting —There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rule 13a-15 or 15d-15 of the Exchange Act of, that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 Attestation Report of Registered Public Accounting Firm — This Annual Report on Form 10-K includes an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.




Item 9B. Other Information


None.




PART III




Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance


The information under the heading, “Executive Officers of the Registrant” in Part I, Item I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference. In addition, certain information required by this Item 10 will be included in the Company’s definitive proxy materials to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year covered by this report and is incorporated herein by reference.  The following sections of such proxy materials are herein incorporated by reference:  “Election of Directors,” information regarding the identification of the members of the Audit Committee of the Company included in section “Corporate Governance,” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance.”
 
 The Board of Directors has determined that Ms. Juanita Hinshaw, one of the Company’s independent directors, qualifies as the Audit Committee financial expert because she has served in an oversight role in finance and accounting.
 The Company has established a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which is applicable to all of its employees, officers and directors.  The Code is available on the Company’s website at www.synergeticsusa.com and also is available to stockholders in print upon request.  The Company intends to satisfy the disclosure requirement under Item 10 of Form 8-K regarding the amendment to, or a waiver from, a provision of this policy that applies to the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions and that relates to any element of the code of ethics definition enumerated in Item 406(b) of Regulation S-K by posting such information on its website.
 43
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During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, there were no material changes to the procedures by which stockholders may recommend nominees to the Board.




Item 11. Executive Compensation




Information required pursuant to this Item 11 will be included in the Company’s definitive proxy materials to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year covered by this report under the sections “Executive Compensation” and “Director Compensation” and is incorporated herein by reference.




Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters




Certain information required pursuant to this Item 12 will be included in the Company’s definitive proxy materials to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year covered by this report under the section “Principal Stockholders” and is incorporated herein by reference.


EXISTING EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION


The table below shows information with respect to all of our equity compensation plans as of July 31, 2011.




Plan Category

Number of Securitiestobe Issued Upon ExerciseofOutstanding Options, Warrants and Rights


Weighted AverageExercise Price ofOutstanding Options, Warrants and Rights


Number of SecuritiesAvailable for Future

IssuanceUnder Equity

Compensation Plans(Excluding Securities

Reflected in the First Column)Equity Compensation Plans ApprovedBy Security Holders


517,029


$
2.68



651,341Equity Compensation Plans Not ApprovedBy Security Holders


—



—



—Total


517,029


$
2.68



651,341




Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence


Information required pursuant to this Item 13 concerning certain relationships and related transactions, as applicable, will be included in the Company’s definitive proxy materials to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year covered by this report under the section “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.” Information required pursuant to this Item 13 concerning director independence will be included in the Company’s definitive proxy materials to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year covered by this report under the section “Corporate Governance” and is incorporated herein by reference.




Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services




Information required pursuant to this Item 14 concerning our principal accountant fees and services will be included in our definitive proxy materials to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year covered by this report under the section Proposal 2 – “Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and is incorporated herein by reference.
  44
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PART IV




Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules




(a)
The following documents are filed as part of this report.





1.
Financial StatementsThe consolidated financial statements and supplemental schedule of Synergetics USA, Inc. and Subsidiaries, together with the report thereon of independent registered public accounting firm, are included following Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  See Index to Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules on page F-1, herein.2.
Financial Statement SchedulesSchedule II — Valuation Allowances and Qualifying Accounts is included in Note 19 to the consolidated financial statements, which are included following Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  See Index to Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules on page F-1 herein.3.
ExhibitsThe exhibits required to be filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are listed in the attached Index to Exhibits.





(b)
The exhibits filed with this Annual Report on Form 10-K are listed in the attached Index to Exhibits.





(c)
None.





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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES





Audited Financial StatementsReports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
47Consolidated Balance Sheets as of July 31, 2011 and 2010
49Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended July 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
50Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income for the years ended July 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
51Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended July 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
52Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
53Financial Statement SchedulesSchedule II - Valuation Allowances and Qualifying Accounts
70





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 Table of Contents










Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm





To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of


Synergetics USA, Inc.





We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Synergetics USA, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of July 31, 2011 and 2010 and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended July 31, 2011.  Synergetics USA, Inc.’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.





In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Synergetics USA, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of July 31, 2011 and 2010, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended July 31, 2011, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.





We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Synergetics USA, Inc. and Subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of July 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO)and our report dated October 11, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion.


/s/ UHY LLP





St. Louis, Missouri


October 11, 2011




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 Table of Contents











Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm





To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of


Synergetics USA, Inc.





We have audited Synergetics USA, Inc. and Subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of July 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Synergetics USA. Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Part II, Item 9A of this Form 10-K. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.





We conducted our audit 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 effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk.  Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.





A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.





Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in condition, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.





In our opinion, Synergetics USA, Inc. and Subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of July 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).





We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and comprehensive income and cash flows of Synergetics USA, Inc. and Subsidiaries and our report dated October 11, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion.





/s/ UHY LLP


St. Louis, Missouri


October 11, 2011




48
 Table of Contents




Synergetics USA, Inc. and Subsidiaries
 Consolidated Balance Sheets
 July 31, 2011 and 2010
 (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
  2011


2010AssetsCurrent AssetsCash and cash equivalents

$
18,399


$
18,669Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $282 and $282, respectively


11,242



9,056Inventories


12,423



11,891Prepaid expenses


961



792Deferred income taxes


792



658Total current assets


43,817



41,066Property and equipment, net


8,964



8,044Intangible and other assetsGoodwill


10,690



10,690Other intangible assets, net


11,792



12,353Deferred income taxes


4,915



--Patents, net


1,050



870Cash value of life insurance


82



72Total assets

$
81,310


$
73,095Liabilities and stockholders’ equityCurrent LiabilitiesCurrent maturities of long-term debt

$
1,053


$
1,398Current maturities of revenue bonds payable


--



116Accounts payable


1,567



1,800Accrued expenses


3,193



2,624Income taxes payable


6,233



11Deferred revenue


540



400Total current liabilities


12,586



6,349Long-Term LiabilitiesLong-term debt, less current maturities


--



939Revenue bonds payable, less current maturities


--



1,612Deferred revenue


18,060



18,630Deferred income taxes


--



1,339Total long-term liabilities


18,060



22,520Total liabilities


30,646



28,869Commitments and contingencies (Notes 9 and 16)Stockholders’ EquityCommon stock at July 31, 2011 and July 31, 2010, $0.001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized; 24,970,884 and 24,772,155 shares issued and outstanding, respectively


25



25Additional paid-in capital


25,598



24,905Retained earnings


24,952



19,319Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):Foreign currency translation adjustment


89



(23
)Total stockholders’ equity


50,664



44,226Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$
81,310


$
73,095
 
 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 49
 Table of Contents
 
 Synergetics USA, Inc. and Subsidiaries
 Consolidated Statements of Income
 Years Ended July 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
 (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
 2011


2010


2009Net sales

$
55,845


$
52,075


$
52,965Cost of sales


23,121



22,166



23,550Gross profit


32,724



29,909



29,415Operating expensesResearch and development


3,713



3,008



2,998Selling


11,474



11,958



14,262General and administrative


9,245



8,903



9,03024,432



23,869



26,290Operating income


8,292



6,040



3,125Other income (expenses)Investment income


99



38



5Interest expense


(202
)


(491
)


(763
)Settlement gain


--



2,398



--Gain (loss) on sale of product line


(99
)


817



--Miscellaneous


(11
)


23



3(213
)


2,785



(755
)Income before provision for income taxes


8,079



8,825



2,370Provision for income taxes


2,446



3,092



775Net income

$
5,633


$
5,733


$
1,595Earnings per share:Basic

$
0.23


$
0.23


$
0.07Diluted

$
0.23


$
0.23


$
0.07Basic weighted average common shares outstanding


24,901,832



24,618,403



24,459,749Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding


25,035,095



24,672,605



24,493,263
 
 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 50
 Table of Contents
  Synergetics USA, Inc. and Subsidiaries
 Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income
 Years Ended July 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
 (Dollars in thousands, except share data)
 
 Number of

Shares


Common

Stock


Additional

Paid in

Capital


Retained

Earnings


Other

Comprehensive

Income (Loss)


TotalBalance, August 1, 2008


24,354,295


$
24


$
24,342


$
11,991


$
--


$
36,357Net income


--



--



--



1,595



--



1,595Restricted stock grants


56,769



--



40



--



--



40Stock-based compensation


43,192



--



138



--



--



138Balance, July 31, 2009


24,454,256



24



24,520



13,586



--



38,130Net income


--



--



--



5,733



--



5,733Foreign currency translation adjustment


--















(23
)


(23
)Total comprehensive income


--



--



--



--



--



5,710Restricted stock grants


174,885



1



114



--



--



115Stock-based compensation


79,244



--



172



--



--



172Proceeds from stock options exercised


63,770



--



68



--



--



68Tax benefit associated with stock options exercised


--



--



31



--



--



31Balance, July 31, 2010


24,772,155



25



24,905



19,319



(23
)


44,226Net income


--



--



--



5,633



--



5,633Foreign currency translation adjustment


--



--



--



--



112



112Total comprehensive income


--



--



--



--



--



5,745Restricted stock grants


43,846



--



153



--



--



153Stock-based compensation


13,466



--



205



--



--



205Proceeds from stock options exercised


141,417



--



210



--



--



210Tax benefit associated with stock option exercised


--



--



125



--



--



125Balance, July 31, 2011


24,970,884


$
25


$
25,598


$
24,952


$
89


$
50,664
  See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 51
 Table of Contents
  Synergetics USA Inc. and Subsidiaries
 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 Years Ended July 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
 (Dollars in thousands, except share data)
 
 2011


2010


2009Cash Flows from Operating ActivitiesNet income

$
5,633


$
5,733


$
1,595Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activitiesDepreciation


1,087



1,053



1,052Amortization


653



879



908Provision for doubtful accounts receivable


(9
)


(48
)


88Stock-based compensation


358



287



178Deferred income taxes


(6,388
)


(588
)


(427
)(Gain) loss on sale of equipment


50



(16
)


2(Gain) loss on sale of product line


99



(817
)


--Changes in assets and liabilities(Increases) decreases in:Accounts receivable


(2,167
)


(265
)


(600
)Inventories


(479
)


3,016



(457
)Prepaid expenses


(150
)


(389
)


(53
)(Decrease) increase in:Accounts payable


(251
)


(87
)


(1,015
)Accrued expenses


559



(453
)


255Income taxes payable


6,222



(26
)


(1,034
)Deferred revenue


(430
)


19,030



--Net cash provided by operating activities


4,787



27,309



492Cash Flows from Investing ActivitiesAcquisition of a business


--



--



(40
)Proceeds on the sale of equipment


11



16



1Purchase of property and equipment


(2,069
)


(1,133
)


(749
)Acquisition of patents and other intangibles


(273
)


(64
)


(20
)Proceeds from the sale of  product line


--



1,527



--Increase in cash value of life insurance


(10
)


(9
)


(8
)Net cash provided (used) in investing activities


(2,341
)


337



(816
)Cash Flows from Financing ActivitiesExcess of outstanding checks over bank balance


--



(75
)


75Net borrowings (repayments) on lines-of-credit


--



(5,035
)


1,748Principal payments on revenue bonds payable


(1,728
)


(1,935
)


(228
)Principal payments on long-term debt


(685
)


(1,620
)


(1,080
)Tax benefit associated with the exercise of non-qualified stock options


125



31



--Payment on debt incurred for acquisition of trademark


(598
)


(564
)


(531
)Proceeds from the issuance of common stock


210



68



--Net cash (used in) financing activities


(2,676
)


(9,130
)


(16
)Foreign exchange rate effect on cash and cash equivalents


(40
)


(7
)


--Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents


(270
)


18,509



(340
)Cash and cash equivalentsBeginning


18,669



160



500Ending

$
18,399


$
18,669


$
160Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow InformationCash paid for:Interest

$
223


$
510


$
781Income taxes paid


2,488



3,692



2,237Supplemental Schedule of Non-cash Investing and Financing ActivityPurchase of equipment included in accounts payable


14



65



61
 
 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 52
 Table of Contents
 
 Synergetics USA, Inc. and Subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 Note 1. Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies
 
 Nature of business: Synergetics USA, Inc. (“Synergetics USA” or the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation incorporated on June 2, 2005, in connection with the reverse merger of Synergetics, Inc. (“Synergetics”) and Valley Forge Scientific Corp. (“Valley Forge”) and the subsequent reincorporation of Valley Forge (the predecessor to Synergetics USA) in Delaware. Synergetics USA is a medical device company.  Through continuous improvement and development of its people, the Company’s mission is to design, manufacture and market innovative disposable and reusable surgical devices, procedural kits capital equipment and accessories of the highest quality in order to enable surgeons who perform surgery around the world to provide a better quality of life for their patients.   The Company’s primary focus is on the surgical disciplines of ophthalmology and neurosurgery. Its distribution channels include a combination of direct and independent distributor sales organizations and important strategic alliances with market leaders. The Company is located in O’Fallon, Missouri and King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.  During the ordinary course of its business, the Company grants unsecured credit to its domestic and international customers.
 
 A summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies follows:
 
 Use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements: The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
 Principles of consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Synergetics USA and its wholly owned subsidiaries: Synergetics, Synergetics IP, Inc., Synergetics Development Company, LLC and Synergetics Delaware, Inc.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
 
 Cash and cash equivalents: For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
 
 Accounts receivable: During the ordinary course of its business, the Company grants unsecured credit to its domestic and international customers.  Accounts receivable are carried at original invoice amount less an estimate made for doubtful accounts based on a review of all outstanding amounts on a monthly basis.  Collateral is not generally required on the Company’s accounts receivable.  Accounts receivable are generally considered past due based upon their specific terms.  Management determines the allowance for doubtful accounts by regularly evaluating individual customer receivables and considering a customer’s financial condition, credit history and current economic conditions.  Accounts receivable are written off when deemed uncollectible.  Recoveries of accounts receivable previously written off are recorded when received.  The Company generally does not charge interest on past-due amounts in accounts receivable.  The Company has a history of minimal uncollectible accounts.
 
 53
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 Concentration of credit risk: Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable.  The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are primarily held in a money market account in a bank and currently exceed the FDIC insurance limit.  Generally these deposits can be redeemed upon demand and therefore, bear minimal risk.
 
 Inventories: Inventories, consisting of purchased materials, direct labor and manufacturing overhead, are stated at the lower of cost, with cost being determined using the first-in, first-out method, or market.  The Company’s inventory is very dynamic and new products are added frequently.  Thus, the Company reviews the valuation of its inventory on a quarterly basis and determines if a valuation allowance is necessary for items that have not had their values updated recently.  In addition, the Company evaluates inventories for excess quantities and identified obsolescence quarterly.  The Company’s evaluation includes an analysis of historical sales levels by product and projections of future demand, as well as estimates of quantities required to support warranty and other repairs.  To the extent that it determines there are some excess quantities based on its projected levels of sales and other requirements, or obsolete material in inventory, it records valuation reserves against all or a portion of the value of the related parts or products.  If future cost valuations, future demand or market conditions are different from the Company’s projections, a change in recorded inventory valuation reserves may be required and would be reflected in cost of sales in the period the revision is made.
 
 Property and equipment: Property and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives as follows:
 
 Useful lives (in years)Building and improvements
7-39Machinery and equipment
5-7Furniture and fixtures
5-7Software
3-10
 
 Goodwill and other intangibles: Absent any impairment indicators, goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis.  The Company performs its goodwill impairment tests during the fourth fiscal quarter.  Other intangible assets, consisting of licensing agreements and proprietary know-how are amortized to operations under the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives or statutory lives whichever is shorter.  These periods range from two to seventeen years.  The life of a trademark is inextricably related to the life of the product bearing the mark or the life of the business entity owning the trademark.  The Company intends to use the trademark indefinitely, and therefore, its useful life is not limited to any specific product. The trademark constitutes an indefinite-lived intangible that will be used in perpetuity.  Proprietary know-how consists of the patented technology which is included in one of the Company’s core products, bipolar electrosurgical generators.  As a proprietary technology is a distinguishing feature of the Company’s products, it represents a valuable intangible asset.
 
 Patents: Incremental legal and other costs to obtain the patent are capitalized to a patent asset.  Salaries, benefits and other direct costs of product development are expensed as operating expenses in research and development (“R&D”) costs.  Patents are amortized to operations under the straight-line method over the remaining statutory life of the patent.  Total amortization for the years ended July 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $653,000, $879,000 and $908,000, respectively.
 
 Deferred revenue:During the second quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company received a payment from Codman & Shurtleff, Inc. (“Codman”), a marketing partner, to establish exclusivity on certain generator products and accessories.  Revenue from the agreement has been deferred and is being amortized over its expected term.  The Company recognized $334,000 in revenue for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011 under the terms of the exclusivity agreement.  On April 23, 2010, the Company entered into a Confidential Settlement and License Agreement with Alcon, Inc. and certain of its affiliates (“Alcon”) pursuant to which Alcon paid to the Company $32.0 million.
 
 54
 Table of Contents
 
 The net proceeds to the Company were $21.4 million after contingency payments to attorneys. The Company recognized a gain from this agreement of $2.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2010. The remaining $19.0 million has been accounted for as an up-front license fee under the Confidential Settlement and License Agreement and will be deferred and recognized as earned over a period currently estimated to be fifteen years based upon the units expected to be shipped to Alcon under a Supply Agreement entered pursuant to the settlement. The Company recognized $696,000 of this deferred revenue as the estimate of these shipments has been revised for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011.
 
 July 31, 2011


July 31, 2010Deferred revenue – Alcon settlement

$
18,334


$
19,030Deferred revenue – Codman exclusivity


266



--Total

$
18,600


$
19,030Less:  Short-term


540



400Long-term portion

$
18,060


$
18,630
 
 Impairment of long-lived assets (excluding goodwill and other intangibles): The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset.  Measurement of an impairment loss for long-lived assets and certain identifiable assets that management expects to hold and use is based on the fair value of the asset.  Assets to be sold are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or the fair value less costs to sell.
 
 Product warranty: The Company provides a warranty against manufacturing and workmanship defects. Under the Company’s general terms and conditions of sale, liability during the warranty period (typically three years) is limited to repair or replacement of the defective item. The Company’s warranty cost is not material.
 
 Income taxes: The Company accounts for income taxes under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC Topic 740”).  Under ASC Topic 740, the deferred tax provision is determined using the liability method whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences.  Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases.  Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.
 
 In addition, under ASC Topic 740, the Company may recognize tax liabilities when, despite the Company’s belief that its tax return positions are supported, the Company believes that certain positions may not be fully sustained upon review by tax authorities.  The Company has identified no uncertain tax positions subsequent to the adoption of this standard on August 1, 2007.
 
 The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties through income tax expense.  As of July 31, 2011, the 2008 to 2011 tax years remain subject to examination by major tax jurisdictions.  There are no federal, state or non-U.S. income tax audits in process as of July 31, 2011.
 
 Fair value of financial instruments: The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and debt.  As of July 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the carrying amounts of financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments.  The carrying amount of notes payable is estimated to approximate fair value because the interest rates fluctuate with market interest rates or the fixed rates are based on estimated current rates offered to the Company for debt with similar terms and maturities.
 
 55
 Table of Contents
 
 Non-financial assets such as goodwill, intangible assets and property, plant and equipment are measured at fair value when there is an indicator of impairment and recorded at fair value only when impairment is recognized.  No impairment indicators existed as of July 31, 2011.
 
 Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  The fair value hierarchy distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and (2) an entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs).  The fair value hierarchy consists of these broad levels, which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3).  The Company’s Level 1 financial assets are money market funds, whose fair values are based on quoted market prices.  The Company does not have any Level 2 or Level 3 financial assets.
 Foreign currency translation:  All balance sheet accounts have been translated using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date.  Statements of income amounts have been translated using the average exchange rate for the year.  The gains and losses resulting from the changes in exchange rates from year to year have been reported in other comprehensive income (loss).  The foreign currency translation adjustment is the only component of accumulated other comprehensive loss.  Foreign currency translation adjustments exclude income tax expense (benefit) given that the Company’s investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries are deemed to be reinvested for an indefinite period of time.
 
 Revenue recognition: The Company primarily records revenue from product sales when the revenue is realized and the product is shipped from its facilities.  This includes satisfying the following criteria: the arrangement with the customer is evident, usually through the receipt of a purchase order; the sales price is fixed and determinable; delivery to the carrier has occurred; and collectability is reasonably ensured. Freight and shipping billed to customers is included in net sales, and the cost of shipping is included in cost of sales.  Sales tax billed to customers is included as a liability as products are shipped.
 
 The terms and conditions of sales to both the Company’s domestic and international distributors do not differ materially from the terms and conditions of sales to its domestic and international end-user customers.
 
 Service revenue substantially relates to repairs of products and is recognized when the service has been completed.  Revenue from royalty fees is recorded as the products bearing the trademark are shipped.
 
 Advertising: The Company follows the policy of charging the costs of advertising to expense as incurred. Advertising expense was approximately $119,500, $41,600 and $63,400 for the years ended July 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
 Royalties: The Company pays royalties to doctors and medical institutions for providing assistance in the design and development of various devices and components.  Royalties are paid quarterly based on the sales of the instrument or components.  Royalty expense was approximately $318,000, $830,800 and $1,172,500 for the years ended July 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
 Stock compensation: The Company has a stock plan for employees and consultants allowing for incentive and non-qualified stock options, restricted stock and stock awards which have been granted to certain employees and consultants of the Company.  In addition, the Company has a stock option plan for non-employee directors allowing for non-qualified stock options.  Options under this plan have been granted to all non-employee directors.  Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award and is recognized over the directors’ and employees’ requisite service period. Compensation expense is calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  In addition, compensation expense equal to number of shares granted multiplied by the market value on the date of the grant over the restriction period is recognized in net earnings for restricted stock awards.
 
 56
 Table of Contents
 
 Earnings per share: Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) data has been computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period presented.  Diluted EPS data has been computed on the basis of the assumed conversion, exercise or issuance of all potential common stock instruments, unless the effect is to reduce the loss or increase the net income per common share (dollars in thousands, except EPS):
 
 Year Ended July 31,2011


2010


2009Numerator:Net Income

$
5,633


$
5,733


$
1,595Denominator:Weighted average common shares and denominator for basic calculation


24,901,832



24,618,403



24,459,749Stock options and restricted stock


133,263



54,202



33,514Denominator for diluted calculation


25,035,095



24,672,605



24,493,263Net income per share – basic

$
0.23


$
0.23


$
0.07Net income per share – diluted

$
0.23


$
0.23


$
0.07
  Stock option shares excluded from computation of dilutive income per share because effect would be antidilutive for the years ended July 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 were 60,000, 228,000 and 228,000, respectively.
  Segment reporting: Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief decision maker or group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.  The Company’s chief decision maker reviews the results of operations and requests for capital expenditures based on one industry segment: producing and selling products and procedures for surgery, primarily for vitreoretinal surgery and neurosurgery.  The Company’s entire revenue is generated through this segment.  Revenues are attributed to countries based upon the location of end-user customers or distributors.
 
 Note 2. Marketing Partner Agreements
 
 The Company sells a portion of its generators, devices and accessories to two U.S. based national and international marketing partners as described below:
 
 Codman & Shurtleff, Inc. (“Codman”)
 
 In the neurosurgical market, the bipolar electrosurgical system manufactured by Valley Forge prior to the merger has been sold for over 25 years through a series of distribution agreements with Codman, an affiliate of Johnson & Johnson.  On April 2, 2009, the Company executed a new, three-year distribution agreement with Codman for the continued distribution by Codman of certain bipolar generators and related disposables and accessories effective January 1, 2009.  In addition, the Company entered into a new, three-year license agreement, which provides for the continued licensing of the Company’s Malis® trademark to Codman for use with certain Codman products, including those covered by the distribution agreement.  Both agreements expire on December 31, 2011 and may renew for an additional three-year period.  In December 2010, Codman elected to exercise its option of exclusive distribution with respect to the bipolar generators and related disposables and accessories.
 
 On November 16, 2009, the Company announced the signing of an addendum to its three-year agreement with Codman.  Under the terms of the revised agreement, Codman has the exclusive right to market and distribute the Company’s branded disposable forceps in fiscal 2010 and beyond produced by Synergetics.  Codman began the domestic distribution of the disposable bipolar forceps on December 1, 2009 and international distribution on February 1, 2010.
 
 Total sales to Codman and its respective percent of the Company’s net sales in the fiscal years ended July 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, including the historical sales of generators, accessories and disposable cord tubing that the Company has supplied in the past, as well as the disposable bipolar forceps sales resulting from the addendum to the existing distribution agreement, were as follows (dollars in thousands):
  57
 Table of Contents
  Year Ended July 31,2011


2010


2009Net sales

$
10,507


$
6,823


$
5,334Percent of net sales


18.8
%


13.1
%


10.1
%
 
 Stryker Corporation (“Stryker”)
 
 The Company supplies a lesion generator used for pain treatment to Stryker pursuant to a supply and distribution agreement dated as of October 25, 2004. The original term of the agreement was for slightly over five years, commencing on November 11, 2004 and ending on December 31, 2009. On August 1, 2007, the Company negotiated a one-year extension to the agreement through December 31, 2010 and increased the minimum purchase obligation to 300 units per year for the remaining contract period.  The Company has negotiated a five-year extension to the agreement through December 31, 2015.
 
 On March 31, 2010, the Company entered into an additional strategic agreement with Stryker including the sale of accounts receivable, open sales orders, inventory and certain intellectual property related to the Omni® ultrasonic aspirator product line. The gain from the sale of the Omni® product line to Stryker was $817,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 2010. In the second quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company recorded an additional $99,000 loss on the sale of this product line, as certain receivables were deemed uncollectible due to a change in the distribution model.  In addition, the agreement provides for the Company to supply disposable ultrasonic instrument tips and certain other consumable products used in conjunction with the ultrasonic aspirator console and handpieces and pursue certain development projects for new products associated with Stryker’s ultrasonic aspirator products.  This agreement expires on March 31, 2014.
 
 Total sales to Stryker and its respective percent of the Company’s net sales in the fiscal years ended July 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, including the historical sales of pain control generators and accessories that the Company has supplied in the past, as well as the disposable ultrasonic instrument tips sales and certain other consumable products resulting from the new agreements, were as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
 Year Ended July 31,2011


2010


2009Net sales

$
7,710


$
4,811


$
2,618Percent of net sales


13.8
%


9.2
%


4.9
%
 
 No other customer comprises more than 10 percent of sales in any given quarter.
 
 Note 3. Inventories
 
 Inventories as of July 31, 2011 and 2010 were as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
 2011


2010Raw material and component parts

$
6,258


$
5,225Work in progress


1,425



2,050Finished goods


4,740



4,616$
12,423


$
11,891
  58
 Table of Contents
 
 Note 4.  Property and Equipment
 
 Property and equipment as of July 31, 2011 and 2010 were as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
 2011


2010Land

$
730


$
730Building and improvements


5,965



5,929Machinery and equipment


7,442



6,136Furniture and fixtures


730



736Software


363



363Construction in progress


685



23215,915



14,126Less accumulated depreciation


6,951



6,082$
8,964


$
8,044
 
 Depreciation expense is included in both cost of sales, selling and general and administrative expenses.  There are no long-lived assets outside of the United States.  Depreciation expense for the years ended July 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $1,087,000, $1,053,000 and $1,052,000, respectively.
 
 Note 5.  Other Intangible Assets
 
 Information regarding the Company’s other intangible assets is as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
 Gross Carrying Value


Accumulated

Amortization


NetJuly 31, 2011Proprietary know-how

$
4,057


$
1,792


$
2,265Trademark


5,923



--



5,923Licensing agreement


5,834



2,230



3,604Patents


1,659



609



1,050$
17,473


$
4,631


$
12,842July 31, 2010Proprietary know-how

$
4,057


$
1,544


$
2,513Trademark


5,923



--



5,923Licensing agreement


5,834



1,917



3,917Patents


1,387



517



870$
17,201


$
3,978


$
13,223
 
 Goodwill of $10,660,000 and proprietary know-how of $4,057,000 are a result of the reverse merger transaction completed on September 21, 2005.  The Company did not incur costs to renew or extend the term of acquired intangible assets during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011.
 
 Amortization is included in general and administrative expense and was $653,000, $879,000 and $908,000 for the years ended July 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Amortization for the years ending July 31, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 is estimated to approximate $586,000, $584,000, $584,000, $583,000 and $568,000, respectively.
 
 59
 Table of Contents
 
 Note 6. Accrued Expenses
 
 Accrued expenses as of July 31, 2011 and 2010 consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):
 
 2011


2010Payroll, commissions and employee benefits

$
1,167


$
790Royalties


168



180Interest


21



42Warranty


15



15Other


1,822



1,597$
3,193


$
2,624
 
 Note 7.  Pledged Assets, Short and Long-Term Debt
 
 Revolving Credit Facility:The Company has a credit facility with a bank which allows for borrowings of up to $9.5 million (collateral available on July 31, 2011 permits borrowings up to $8.6 million) with an interest rate based on either the one-, two- or three-month LIBOR plus 2.0 percent and adjusting each quarter based upon the Company’s leverage ratio. As of July 31, 2011, interest under the facility is charged at 2.19 percent. The unused portion of the facility is charged at a rate of 0.20 percent. There were no borrowings under this facility at July 31, 2011. Outstanding amounts are collateralized by the Company’s domestic receivables and inventory. This credit facility was amended on November 30, 2010, to extend the termination date through November 30, 2011.  The Company expects this credit facility to be renewed.
 
 The facility has two financial covenants: a maximum leverage ratio of 3.75 times and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.1 times. As of July 31, 2011, the leverage ratio was 1.13 times and the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio was 5.33 times. Collateral availability under the line as of July 31, 2011, was approximately $8.6 million. The facility restricts the payment of dividends if, following the distribution, the fixed charge coverage ratio would fall below the required minimum.
 
 Equipment Line of Credit:Under this credit facility, the Company may borrow up to $1.0 million, with interest at one-month LIBOR plus 3.0 percent.  Pursuant to the terms of the equipment line of credit, under no circumstances shall the rate be less than 3.5 percent per annum.  The unused portion of the facility is not charged a fee. There were no borrowings under this facility at July 31, 2011. The equipment line of credit was amended on November 30, 2010, to extend the maturity date to November 30, 2011.   The Company expects this credit facility to be renewed.
 
 Long-term debt as of July 31, 2011 and 2010 consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):
 
 2011


2010Note payable to the estate of the late Dr. Leonard I. Malis, due in quarterly installments of $159,904 which includes interest at an imputed rate of 6.0 percent; remaining balance of $319,808  including the effects of imputing interest, due December 2011, collateralized by the Malis® trademark


313



911Settlement obligation to Iridex Corporation (“Iridex”), due in annual installments of $800,000 which includes interest at an imputed rate of 8.0 percent; remaining balance of $800,000 including the effects of imputing interest, due April 15, 2012


740



1,4261,053



2,337Less current maturities


1,053



1,398Long-term portion

$
--


$
939
  60
 Table of Contents
  Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt as of July 31, 2011 are as follows (dollars in thousands):
  Year Ending July 31,

Amount2012

$
1,053
 
 Note 8. Revenue Bonds Payable
 
 In September 2002, the Company issued $2,645,000 in Private Activity Revenue Bonds, Series 2002. The proceeds from the bond issue were used to provide financing for the construction of a building and equipment for use as a manufacturing facility located in O’Fallon, Missouri.  The bond issue was collateralized by a first deed of trust.  The Company signed a promissory note to a bank payable in monthly installments of interest only, commencing on October 1, 2002.  Principal was payable on May 1, 2004, and on the first day of each month thereafter, in the amount of $11,021 until final payment in monthly installments beginning on September 1, 2022. Interest was payable at 5.5 percent through September 1, 2009, and prime rate plus 0.5 percent thereafter.  The Company retired these bonds in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010.
 
 In December 2004, Synergetics Development Co., LLC issued $2,330,000 in Industrial Revenue Bonds, Series 2004.  The proceeds from the bond issue were used to provide financing for a building expansion and the purchase of land and equipment located in O’Fallon, Missouri.  The bond issue was collateralized by a first deed of trust.  The Company signed a promissory note to a bank payable in monthly installments of interest only, commencing on February 1, 2005.  Principal was payable in monthly installments beginning on June 1, 2005, and on the first day of each month thereafter, in the amount of $9,708, until final payment on December 1, 2024.  Interest was payable at 4.75 percent through December 1, 2011, and prime rate thereafter. The Company retired these bonds in the third quarter of fiscal 2011.  These revenue bonds payable totaled $1.7 million as of July 31, 2010.
 
 Note 9. Operating Leases
 
 The Company leases various equipment, a portion of its facilities in O’Fallon, Missouri and the facility in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania under operating leases.  The O’Fallon, Missouri lease expires in February 2016 and the King of Prussia, Pennsylvania lease has been renewed through October 2012.
 
 The approximate minimum rental commitment under non-cancelable operating leases as of July 31, 2011 is due as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
 Year Ending July 31,

Amount2012

$
3372013


2202014


1582015


972016


47$
859
 
 Rent expense incurred and charged to cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses was approximately $358,000, $268,000 and $310,000 for the years ended July 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
 Note 10. Income Tax Matters
 
 The Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries file as a single entity for income tax reporting purposes.  The net deferred income tax amounts included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of July 31, 2011 and 2010 include the following amounts as deferred income tax assets and liabilities (dollars in thousands):
  61
 Table of Contents
  2011


2010Deferred tax assets:Accounts receivable

$
78


$
68Inventories


168



252Accrued liabilities


162



146Deferred revenue


6,265



--Other


384



192Loss on foreign subsidiaries


1,898



1,2628,955



1,920Deferred tax liabilityProperty and equipment


915



306Other intangible assets


2,333



2,2953,248



2,601$
5,707


$
(681
)
 
 The deferred tax amounts noted above have been classified on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of July 31, 2011 and 2010, as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
 2011


2010Current assets

$
792


$
658Long-term asset (liability)


4,915



(1,339
)$
5,707


$
(681
)
 
 The provision for income taxes for the years ended July 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):
 
 2011


2010


2009Current payable

$
8,834


$
3,680


$
1,202Deferred


(6,388
)


(588
)


(427
)$
2,446


$
3,092


$
775
 
 Reconciliation of the Company’s income tax at the statutory rate to the Company’s effective rate is as follows:
  2011


2010


2009Computed at the statutory rate


35.0
%


34.0
%


34.0
%State taxes, net of federal tax benefit


2.3



3.0



3.0Production deduction for domestic manufacturers


(2.9
)


(2.0
)


(3.3
)Research and experimentation


(3.5
)


(0.6
)


(6.9
)Other


(0.6
)


0.6



5.930.3
%


35.0
%


32.7
%
 
 Note 11. Employee Benefit Plan
 
 The Company has a 401(k) savings plan, which covers employees who have attained the age of 18 and who have been credited with at least one year of service.  Company contributions are made at the discretion of the Board of Directors.  The Company contributed $50,700 to the plan for the year ended July 31, 2011, and made no contributions to the plan for the years ended July 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
 62
 Table of Contents
 
 Note 12. Stock-Based Compensation Plans
 
 Stock Option Plans
 
 In addition to the historical options outstanding for Synergetics prior to the merger, the Company has options outstanding under two existing active option plans and two terminated plans of Valley Forge.  The first active plan (the “2001 Plan”) was adopted by Valley Forge on January 16, 2001 pursuant to which 345,000 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance to employees, officers and consultants of the Company.  The 2001 Plan was amended with the approval of the Valley Forge stockholders on September 19, 2005 to increase the number of share awards issuable under the 2001 Plan from 345,000 to 1,345,000.  There were 501,341 options and restricted shares not yet awarded at July 31, 2011 under the 2001 Plan.  On September 19, 2005, the stockholders of Valley Forge voted to adopt the Valley Forge Scientific Corp. 2005 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan (the “Non-Employee Directors’ Plan”) and voted to authorize up to 200,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options granted thereunder.  On December 11, 2008, the stockholders of the Company voted to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance under the Non-Employee Directors’ Plan from 200,000 to 400,000.  There were 150,000 options available for future grants at July 31, 2011 under this plan.  Generally, options were granted with an exercise price equal to fair market value at the date of grant and expire 10 years from the date of the grant.  Generally, stock options granted under these plans vest over a five-year period, with the exception of the non-employee director options, which vest over a twelve-month period.
 
 A summary of the status of the fixed awards at July 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 and changes during the years ended on those dates is as follows:
 
 Shares


Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price


Weighted

Average Fair

ValueOptions outstanding as of July 31, 2008


436,735


$
2.23


$
1.84For the period from August 1, 2008 through July 31, 2009:Granted


93,000


$
0.95


$
0.78Forfeited


(2,000
)

$
3.75


$
0.99Exercised


--



--



--Options outstanding, July 31, 2009


527,735


$
2.10


$
1.74For the period from August 1, 2009 through July 31, 2010:Granted


127,500


$
1.37


$
1.10Forfeited


(14,770
)

$
0.94


$
0.78Exercised


(63,770
)

$
1.07


$
0.93Options outstanding, July 31, 2010


576,695


$
2.08


$
1.71For the period from August 1, 2010 through July 31, 2011:Granted


108,751


$
4.43


$
3.56Forfeited


(27,000
)

$
3.21


$
2.71Exercised


(141,417
)

$
1.49


$
1.29Options outstanding, July 31, 2011


517,029


$
2.68


$
2.16Options exercisable, July 31, 2011


375,841


$
2.55


$
2.06
 
 63
 Table of Contents
 
 A further summary about awards outstanding at July 31, 2011 is as follows:
 
 Shares


Weighted

Average Grant

Date ValueUnvested options, beginning of period


113,958


$
1.31Granted


108,751


$
4.43Vested


81,521


$
2.47Unvested options, period end


141,188


$
3.04
 
 Proceeds, related tax benefits realized from options exercised and intrinsic value of options exercised were as follows (dollars in thousands), except exercise price:
 
 Fiscal Year EndedJuly 31, 2011


July 31, 2010


July 31, 2009Proceeds of options exercised

$
210


$
68


$
--Related tax benefit recognized


125



31



--Intrinsic value of options exercised


183



59



--
 
 The following table provides information about options outstanding and exercisable options at July 31, 2011 (dollars in thousands):
 
 Options

Outstanding


Exercisable

OptionsNumber


517,029



375,841Weighted average exercise price

$
2.68


$
2.55Aggregate intrinsic value

$
1,117


$
772Weighted average contractual term

6.6 years


5.8 years
 
 The weighted average remaining life for options outstanding and weighted average exercise price per share for exercisable options at July 31, 2011 were as follows:
 
 Options Outstanding

Exercisable OptionsShares

Weighted AverageRemainingContractual Life (in

years)

Shares

Weighted AverageRemainingContractual Life (in

years)$
< 1.00



45,000

7.3 years


45,000

7.3 years$
1.00 - $ 2.00



213,278

6.4 years


149,487

5.6 years$
2.01 - $ 6.00



258,751

6.7 years


181,354

5.6 yearsTotal



517,029

6.6 years


375,841

5.8 years
 
 The Company granted 40,000 options during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011 to the independent directors which vest pro-rata over twelve months from the grant date.  The Company granted 10,164, options during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011 to David M. Hable, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”); 18,633 options to Kurt W. Gampp, the Company’s Chief Operating Officer (“COO”); 12,125 options to each of Jerry Malis, the Company’s Chief Scientific Officer (“CSO”) and Pamela G. Boone, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) and 7,852 options to each of Michael Fanning, the Vice President of Domestic Sales and Jason Stroisch, the Vice President of International Sales and Marketing.  The shares granted to the Company’s executive management team vest pro-rata over five years from the grant date.  The fair value of options granted during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011 was determined at the date of the grant using a Black-Scholes options-pricing model.
 
 64
 Table of Contents
 
 The following table provides the weighted average fair value of options granted and the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model:
 
 Fiscal Year Ended July 31,2011


2010


2009Expected average risk-free interest rate


3.30
%


2.35
%


2.25
%Expected average life (in years)


10



10



10Expected volatility


75.4
%


77.8
%


80.5
%Expected dividend yield


0.0
%


0.0
%


0.0
%
 
 The expected average risk-free rate is based on 10 year U.S. treasury yield curve in December of 2010.  The expected average life represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding giving consideration to vesting schedules, historical exercise and forfeiture patterns.  Expected volatility is based on historical volatilities of Synergetics USA, Inc.’s common stock.  The expected dividend yield is based on historical information and management’s plan.  The Company expects to issue new shares as options are exercised.  As of July 31, 2011, the future compensation cost expected to be recognized is approximately $129,000 in fiscal 2012, $68,000 in fiscal 2013, $68,000 in fiscal 2014, $56,000 in 2015, and $20,000 in 2016.
 
 Restricted Stock Plans
 
 Under our 2001 Plan, our common stock may be granted at no cost to certain employees and consultants of the Company.  Certain plan participants are entitled to cash dividends and voting rights for their respective shares.  Restrictions limit the sale or transfer of these shares during a vesting period whereby the restrictions lapse either pro-ratably over a five-year vesting period or at the end of the fifth year.  Upon issuance of stock under the 2001 Plan, unearned compensation equivalent to the market value at the date of the grant is charged to stockholders’ equity and subsequently amortized to expense over the applicable restriction period.  As of July 31, 2011, there was approximately $409,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Company’s 2001 Plan.  The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of four years which is generally the vesting period.
 
 In addition, during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011, 13,466 shares were granted to advisory consultants under the 2001 Plan.  Compensation expense related to these shares was $44,000 for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011.
 
 The following table provides information about restricted stock grants during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009:
 
 Number of

Shares


Weighted Average

Grant Date Fair

ValueRestricted stock awards at August 1, 2008


53,807


$
3.89Granted


110,065


$
2.78Forfeited


51,796


$
3.18Balance as of July 31, 2009


112,076


$
2.95Granted


176,885


$
1.36Forfeited


2,000


$
3.04Balance as of July 31, 2010


286,961


$
2.04Granted


43,846


$
4.43Balance as of July 31, 2011


330,807


$
2.36
  65
 Table of Contents
  Compensation expense associated with stock-based compensation plans as of July 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
 July 31, 2011


July 31, 2010


July 31, 2009Stock Options:Directors

$
100


$
34


$
52Employees


60



28



20Total

$
160


$
62


$
72Restricted StockEmployees

$
154


$
114


$
40Advisors


44



111



66Total


198



225



106Total Compensation Expense

$
358


$
287


$
178Income Tax benefits from Share-based Compensation

$
108


$
100


$
58
 
 Note 13.  Stockholders’ Equity
  Upon completion of the reverse merger between Valley Forge and Synergetics on September 22, 2005, the Company reincorporated in Delaware, decreased the par value of common stock from $0.01 2/3 to $0.001, increased the authorized common shares to 50,000,000 and eliminated the outstanding treasury shares.
 
 On December 22, 1998, the Company filed amended and restated Articles of Incorporation decreasing the par value of the 8,000,000 shares of common stock it is authorized to issue from $0.03 1/3 to $0.01 2/3. The holders of common stock have no preemptive rights and the common stock has no redemption, sinking fund or conversion provisions.  Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote on any matter submitted to the holders and to equal rights in the assets of the Company upon liquidation.  All of the outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable.
 
 Note 14. Research and Development Costs
 
 R&D costs related to both future and present products are charged to operations as incurred.  The Company incurred approximately $3,713,000, $3,008,000 and $2,998,000 of R&D costs during the years ended July 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
 Note 15. Enterprise-wide Sales Information
  Enterprise-wide sales information as of July 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):
 
 Fiscal Year Ended July 31,2011


2010


2009Net SalesOphthalmic

$
34,547


$
31,689


$
29,981Neurosurgery- Direct


1,571



8,175



13,968Marketing Partners (Codman, Stryker)


9,448



4,204



--OEM (Codman, Stryker, Iridex )


10,007



7,878



8,538Other


272



129



478Total

$
55,845


$
52,075


$
52,965Fiscal Year Ended July 31,2011



2010



2009Net SalesDomestic

$
39,185


$
35,417


$
36,047International


16,660



16,658



16,918Total

$
55,845


$
52,075


$
52,965
 
 Revenues are attributed to countries based upon the location of end-user customers or distributors.
 
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 Note 16. Commitments and Contingencies
 
 Effective January 29, 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors appointed David M. Hable to serve as President and CEO. Also on that date, the Company entered into a change in control agreement with Mr. Hable. On December 9, 2009, the Company entered into a change in control agreement with each of its COO and CSO, which agreements were contemplated in conjunction with the Company’s annual review of compensation; therefore, the agreements were made effective with other compensation changes as of August 1, 2009. On October 12, 2010, the Company entered into a change of control agreement with its CFO, which agreement was contemplated in conjunction with the Company’s annual review of compensation; therefore, the agreement was made effective with other compensation changes as of August 1, 2010.  On March 3, 2011, the Company entered into a change of control agreement with each of its Vice President of Domestic Sales and Vice President of International Sales and Marketing, which agreements were contemplated in conjunction with the Company’s annual review of compensation; therefore, the agreements were made effective with other compensation changes as of August 1, 2010. The change in control agreements with its executive officers provide that if employment is terminated within one year following a change in control for cause or disability (as each term is defined in the change in control agreement), as a result of the officer’s death, or by the officer other than as an involuntary termination (as defined in the change in control agreement), the Company shall pay the officer all compensation earned or accrued through his or her employment termination date, including (i) base salary; (ii) reimbursement for reasonable and necessary expenses; (iii) vacation pay; (iv) bonuses and incentive compensation; and (v) all other amounts to which they are entitled under any compensation or benefit plan of the Company (“Standard Compensation Due”).
 
 If the officer’s employment is terminated within one year following a change in control without cause and for any reason other than death or disability, including an involuntary termination, and provided the officer enters into a separation agreement within 30 days of his or her employment termination, he or she  shall receive the following: (i) all Standard Compensation Due and any amount payable as of the termination date under the Company’s objectives-based incentive plan, the sum of which shall be paid in a lump sum immediately upon such termination; and (ii) an amount equal to one times his or her annual base salary at the rate in effect immediately prior to the change in control, to be paid in 12 equal monthly installments beginning in the month following his or her employment termination. Furthermore, all of the officer’s awards of shares or options shall immediately vest and be exercisable for one year after the date of his or her employment termination.
 
 Various claims, incidental to the ordinary course of business, are pending against the Company.  In the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, resolution of these matters is not expected to have a material effect on the accompanying financial statements.
 
 The Company is subject to regulatory requirements throughout the world. In the normal course of business, these regulatory agencies may require companies in the medical device industry to change their products or operating procedures, which could affect the Company.  The Company regularly incurs expenses to comply with these regulations and may be required to incur additional expenses.  Management is not able to estimate any additional expenditures outside the normal course of operations which will be incurred by the Company in future periods in order to comply with these regulations.
  67
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 Note 17. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
 
 The following table provides the Company’s quarterly information as presented in the Form 10-Q (dollars in thousands except earnings per share):
 
 Quarters ended:

July 31, 2011


April 30, 2011


January 31, 2011


October 31, 2010Net Sales

$
15,796


$
14,695


$
13,278


$
12,076Gross Profit


9,420



8,547



7,734



7,023Operating Income


2,958



2,467



1,838



1,029Loss on sale of product line


--



--



(99
)


--Net Income


2,037



1,643



1,320



633Earnings per shareBasic

$
0.08


$
0.07


$
0.05


$
0.03Diluted

$
0.08


$
0.07


$
0.05


$
0.03Basic weighted average common shares outstanding


24,970,271



24,945,707



24,937,463



24,782,913Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding


25,137,786



25,108,582



25,074,230



24,862,420
  Quarters ended:

July 31, 2010


April 30, 2010


January 31, 2010


October 31, 2009Net Sales

$
13,056


$
13,859


$
13,014


$
12,146Gross Profit


7,536



8,031
(1)


7,415
(1)


6,927
(1)Operating Income


1,472



2,045
(1)


1,544
(1)


979
(1)Settlement Gain


--



2,398



--



--Gain on sale of product line


--



893
(1)


(37
) (1)


(39
) (1)Net Income


1,005



3,309



877



542Earnings per shareBasic

$
0.04


$
0.13


$
0.04


$
0.02Diluted

$
0.04


$
0.13


$
0.04


$
0.02Basic weighted average common shares outstanding


24,735,422



24,701,260



24,584,393



24,458,089Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding


24,827,641



24,740,304



24,614,628



24,496,554
  (1)
Certain reclassifications have been made to the first and second quarter’s quarterly financial statements to conform with the third quarter’s presentation, which increased gross profit margin by $197,000, increased operating income by $76,000 and decreased the gain on the sale of the product line by $76,000.
  Note 18. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
 Recently Adopted
 In July 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance expanding disclosure requirements related to receivables.  The guidance was issued to provide financial statement users with greater transparency about an entity’s allowance for credit losses and the credit quality of its financing receivables.  The guidance is for receivables, off-balance sheet credit exposures and foreclosed and repossessed assets.  The Company’s significant accounting policies shall now include: (i) basis for accounting for loans, trade receivables and lease financing (including those held for sale), (ii) method used in determining the lower cost or fair value of non-mortgage loans held for sale, (iii) classification and method of accounting for interest-only strips, loans and other receivables and (iv) method for recognizing interest income on loan and trade receivables.
 
 In addition, the allowance for credit losses, the allowance for doubtful accounts and, as applicable, any unearned income, any unamortized premiums and discounts, and any net unamortized deferred fees and costs, shall be disclosed in the financial statements.  The Company adopted this guidance, as required, for both interim and annual reporting periods, effective December 15, 2010.  The adoption of this guidance does not impact the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial position.  The Company has included its Accounts Receivable policy in Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.
 
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 Recently Issues
 In January 2010, the FASB issued the Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2010-06, “Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements” (“ASU No. 2010-06”), which amends ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” ASU No. 2010-06 requires disclosures of transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2, more detailed roll forward reconciliations of Level 3 recurring fair value measurement on a gross basis, fair value information by class of assets and liabilities and descriptions of valuation techniques and inputs for Level 2 and 3 measurements. The effective date for the roll forward reconciliations is the second quarter of fiscal 2012. The Company does not believe the adoption of ASU 2010-06 will have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.
  In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income” (“ASU No. 2011-05”).ASU No. 2011-05 amends current guidance to allow a company the option of presenting the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The provisions do not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive must to reclassified to net income. The amendments do not change the option for a company to present components of other comprehensive income either net or related tax effects or before related tax effects, with one amount shown for the aggregate income tax expense (benefit) related to the total of other comprehensive income items. The amendments do not affect how earnings per share is calculated or presented. The provisions of ASU No. 2011-05 are effective for the Company’s reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and should be applied retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted, although the Company has not yet adopted  ASU 2011-05, and there are no required transition disclosures. The Company does not believe the adoption of  ASU 2011-05 will have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
  In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other” (“ASU No. 2011-08”).  ASU No 2011-08 amends current guidance to allow a company to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test.  Under this amendment an entity would not be required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines, based on a qualitative assessment,  that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount.  ASU No. 2011-08 applies to all companies that have goodwill reported in their financial statements.  The provisions of ASU No. 2011-08 are effective for the Company’s reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011.  The Company does not believe the adoption of ASU No. 2011-08 will have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
 
 The Company has reviewed all other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting pronouncements and does not believe any such pronouncements will have a material impact on its financial statements.
 
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 Table of Contents
 
 Note 19. Valuation Allowances and Qualifying Accounts
 
 Schedule II — Valuation Allowances and Qualifying Accounts
 (dollars in thousands)
  Classifications

Balance atBeginningof Year


Charges toCost andExpenses


Charges toOtherAccounts


DeductionfromReserves (1)


Balance atEnd of YearYear ended July 31, 2009Allowance for Doubtful Accounts  & Returned Goods

$
250


$
206


$
--


$
(126
)

$
330Allowance for Excess and Obsolete Inventory

$
65


$
--


$
--


$
(26
)

$
39Year ended July 31, 2010Allowance for Doubtful Accounts  & Returned Goods

$
330


$
48


$
--


$
(96
)

$
282Allowance for Excess and Obsolete Inventory

$
39


$
--


$
--


$
(1
)

$
38Year ended July 31, 2011Allowance for Doubtful Accounts  & Returned Goods

$
282


$
5


$
--


$
(5
)

$
282Allowance for Excess and Obsolete Inventory

$
38


$
44


$
--


$
--


$
82
 
 (1)
Adjustments represent write-offs of uncollectible accounts receivable or excess and obsolete inventory.
  70
 Table of Contents
  SIGNATURES
 
 Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
  Synergetics USA, Inc.(registrant)October 11, 2011/s/ David M. HableDavid M. Hable, President and ChiefExecutive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)/s/ Pamela G. BoonePamela G. Boone, Executive Vice President, ChiefFinancial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer (PrincipalFinancial and Accounting Officer)
 
 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
 October 11, 2011/s/ David M. HableDavid M. Hable, President and ChiefExecutive Officer and Director(Principal Executive Officer)October 11, 2011
/s/ Pamela G. BoonePamela G. Boone, Executive Vice President, ChiefFinancial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer (PrincipalFinancial and Accounting Officer)October 11, 2011
/s/ Robert DickRobert Dick, Chairman of the Board of DirectorsOctober 11, 2011
/s/ Lawrence C. CardinaleLawrence C. Cardinale, DirectorOctober 11, 2011
/s/ Kurt W. Gampp, Jr.Kurt W. Gampp, Jr., DirectorOctober 11, 2011
/s/ Guy GuarchGuy Guarch, DirectorOctober 11, 2011
/s/ Juanita H. HinshawJuanita H. Hinshaw, DirectorOctober 11, 2011
/s/ Jerry L. MalisJerry L. Malis, Director
 October 11, 2011
/s/ D. Graeme ThomasD. Graeme Thomas, DirectorOctober 11, 2011
/s/ Patricia S. WilliamsPatricia S. Williams, Director
 
 71
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  Index to Exhibits
  Exhibit

Number

Description2.1

Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Valley Forge Scientific Corp. (“Valley Forge”), Synergetics Acquisition Corporation and Synergetics, Inc. dated May 2, 2005. (Filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Valley Forge’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 4, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.)2.2

Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Valley Forge, Synergetics Acquisition Corporation and Synergetics, Inc. dated June 2, 2005. (Filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Valley Forge’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 3, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.)2.3

Amendment No. 2 to Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Valley Forge, Synergetics Acquisition Corporation and Synergetics, Inc. dated July 15, 2005. (Filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Valley Forge’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 15, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.)2.4

Agreement and Plan of Reincorporation Merger, dated as of September 22, 2005, between Valley Forge and VFSC Delaware, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 27, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.)3.1

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant. (Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 27, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.)3.2

Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant. (Filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 27, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.)4.1

Form of common stock certificate of the Registrant. (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 27, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.1**

Amended and Restated Synergetics USA, Inc. 2001 Stock Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.2**

Valley Forge Scientific Corp. 2000 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 4.3 to Valley Forge’s Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-72134 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.3**

Valley Forge Scientific Corp. 1988 Non-Qualified Employee Stock Option Plan, as amended. (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Valley Forge’s Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-63637 and incorporated herein by reference).10.4**

Amended and Restated Synergetics USA, Inc. 2005 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference).10.5**

Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Synergetics USA, Inc. 2005 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 29, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference).10.6**

401(k) and Profit-Sharing Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 10(x) to Valley Forge’s Registration Statement on Form S-18, Registration No. 33-35668-NY and incorporated herein by reference).10.7**

Change of Control Agreement between Synergetics USA, Inc. and David M. Hable (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 3, 2009), and incorporated herein by reference).10.8**

Change in Control Agreement effective as of August 1, 2009 by and between Kurt Gampp and Synergetics USA, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit  10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 15, 2009).  72
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  10.9**

Change in Control Agreement effective as of August 1, 2009 by and between Jerry Malis, MD and Synergetics USA, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit  10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 15, 2009).10.10**

Change in Control Agreement effective as of August 1, 2010 by and between Pamela G. Boone and Synergetics USA, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10.10 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on October 12, 2010).10.11**

Change in Control Agreement effective as of August 1, 2010 by and between Michael Fanning and Synergetics USA, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on March 9, 2011.10.12**

Change in Control Agreement effective as of August 1, 2010 by and between Jason Stroisch and Synergetics USA, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on March 9, 2011.10.13**

Employment Agreement, dated as of September 21, 2005, between Valley Forge and Jerry Malis.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 27, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.14**

Employment Agreement, dated as of September 21, 2005, between Valley Forge and Kurt W. Gampp, Jr. (Filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 27, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.15**

Employment Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2007, between Synergetics USA, Inc. and Pamela G. Boone.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 6, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.16

Assignment of Know-How Agreement, dated June 30, 1989. (Filed as Exhibit 10(I) to Valley Forge’s Registration Statement on Form S-18, Registration No. 33-35668-NY and incorporated herein by reference.)10.17

Assignment of Patents — Bipolar Electrosurgical Systems, June 30, 1989. (Filed as Exhibit 10(h) to Valley Forge’s Registration Statement on Form S-18, Registration No. 33-31008-NY and incorporated herein by reference.)10.18

Assignment of Patents — Binocular Magnification System, June 30, 1989. (Filed as Exhibit 10(i) to Valley Forge’s Registration Statement on Form S-18, Registration No. 33-31008-NY and incorporated herein by reference.)10.19

Assignment of Malis® Trademark, dated June 30, 1989. (Filed as Exhibit 10(j) to Valley Forge’s Registration Statement on Form S-18, Registration No. 33-31008-NY and incorporated herein by reference.)10.20

Option Agreement for Malis® Trademark with Leonard I. Malis dated October 22, 2004. (Filed as Exhibit 10.14 to Valley Forge’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.21

Promissory Note from the Company and Synergetics IP, Inc. to the Estate of Dr. Leonard I. Malis dated October 12, 2005 in the Principal Amount of $3,997,600. (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 18, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.22

Supply and Distribution Agreement with Stryker Corporation dated October 25, 2004. (Filed as Exhibit 10.13 to Valley Forge’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.23

Agreement of Lease between Liberty Property Limited Partnership and Valley Forge. (Filed as Exhibit 10.16 to Valley Forge’s to Registration Statement on Form S-4, Registration No. 333-125521 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.24

Amendment to Agreement of Lease between Liberty Property Limited Partnership and Synergetics USA, Inc. dated March 26, 2009 (Filed as Exhibit 10.23 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.)  73
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  10.25

Loan Agreement between The Industrial Development Authority of St. Charles County, Missouri and Synergetics Development Company, L.L.C. dated as of September 1, 2002.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.25 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.26

Promissory Note from Synergetics Development Company, L.L.C. to The Industrial Development Authority of St. Charles County, Missouri dated September 1, 2002 in the Principal Amount of $2,645,000 (Filed as Exhibit 10.26 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.27

Security Agreement (Equipment) dated as of September 1, 2002 from Synergetics, Inc. for the benefit of The Industrial Development Authority of St. Charles County, Missouri.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.27 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.28

Future Advance Deed of Trust and Security Agreement dated as of September 1, 2002 between Synergetics Development Company, L.L.C. and Victor Zarrilli, as trustee, and The Industrial Development Authority of St. Charles County, Missouri.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.28 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.29

Guaranty Agreement dated as of September 1, 2002 by and among William L. Bates, Gregg D. Scheller and Kurt W. Gampp, Jr. and Synergetics, Inc. and The Industrial Development Authority of St. Charles County, Missouri.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.29 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.30

Guaranty of Unassigned Issuer’s Rights dated as of September 1, 2002 by and among William L. Bates, Gregg D. Scheller and Kurt W. Gampp, Jr. and Synergetics, Inc. and The Industrial Development Authority of St. Charles County, Missouri.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.30 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.31

Bond Purchase Agreement dated as of September 1, 2002 by and among The Industrial Development Authority of St. Charles County, Missouri, Union Planters Bank, N.A. and Synergetics Development Company, L.L.C.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.31 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.32

First Supplemental Loan Agreement between The Industrial Development Authority of St. Charles County, Missouri and Synergetics Development Company, L.L.C. dated as of December 1, 2004.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.32 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.33

Promissory Note from Synergetics Development Company, L.L.C. to The Industrial Development Authority of St. Charles County, Missouri dated December 1, 2004 in the Principal Amount of $2,330,000.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.33 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.34

First Supplemental Future Advance Deed of Trust and Security Agreement dated as of December 1, 2004 between Synergetics Development Company, L.L.C. and Victor Zarrilli, as trustee, and The Industrial Development Authority of St. Charles County, Missouri.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.34 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.35

First Supplemental Guaranty of Unassigned Issuer’s Rights dated as of December 1, 2004 by and between Synergetics, Inc. and the Industrial Development Authority of St. Charles County, Missouri.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.35 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.36

Bond Purchase Agreement dated as of December 1, 2004 by and among The Industrial Development Authority of St. Charles County, Missouri, Union Planters Bank, N.A. and Synergetics Development Company, L.L.C.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.36 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.)  74
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  10.37**

Form of Employee Restricted Stock Agreement for the Amended and Restated Synergetics USA, Inc. 2001 Stock Plan (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference).10.38

Letter Agreement between Synergetics, Inc. and Regions Bank, dated February 22, 2006 (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 2, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.39

Credit and Security Agreement among Synergetics USA, Inc., Synergetics, Inc. and Regions Bank, dated March 13, 2006.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 15, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.40

First Amendment to Credit and Security Agreement by and among Synergetics, Inc., Synergetics USA, Inc., Regions Bank, as Agent and Lender, and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Lender, dated September 26, 2006.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.52 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.41

Second Amendment to Credit and Security Agreement by and among Synergetics, Inc., Synergetics USA, Inc., Regions Bank, as Agent and Lender, and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Lender, dated December 8, 2006 (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 8, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.42

Third Amendment to Credit and Security Agreement by and among Synergetics, Inc., Synergetics USA, Inc. and Regions Bank, as Lender, dated June 7, 2007.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 8, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.43

Revolving Note from Synergetics USA, Inc. and Synergetics, Inc. in favor of Regions Bank, dated March 13, 2006 (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 15, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.44

Revolving Note from Synergetics USA, Inc. and Synergetics, Inc. in favor of Regions Bank, dated September 26, 2006.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.53 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.45

Amended and Restated Revolving Note from Synergetics USA, Inc. and Synergetics, Inc. in favor of Regions Bank, dated December 8, 2006.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 8, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.46

Amended and Restated Revolving Note from Synergetics USA, Inc. and Synergetics, Inc. in favor of Regions Bank, dated June 7, 2007.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 8, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.47

Second 2008 Amended and Restated Revolving Note from Synergetics, Inc. and Synergetics USA, Inc. in favor of Regions Bank, dated December 1, 2008.   (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 3, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).10.48

Letter Agreement between Synergetics, Inc. and Regions Bank, dated September 28, 2006.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.55 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.49

Foreign Accounts Credit and Security Agreement dated June 20, 2007 by and among Synergetics, Inc., Synergetics USA, Inc., Synergetics Germany, GmbH, and Synergetics Italia, Srl as Borrowers and Regions Bank as Lender.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 26, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.)  75
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  10.50

Foreign Accounts Revolving Note from Synergetics, Inc., Synergetics USA, Inc., Synergetics Germany, GmbH, and Synergetics Italia, Srl in favor of Regions Bank, dated June 20, 2007.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 26, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.51

Fourth Amendment to Credit and Security Agreement by and among Synergetics, Inc. and Synergetics USA, Inc. as Borrowers and Regions Bank as Lender, dated as of January 31, 2008 (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 11, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.52

Amended and Restated Revolving Note from Synergetics USA, Inc. and Synergetics, Inc. in favor of Regions Bank, dated as of January 31, 2008.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 11, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.53

First Amendment to Foreign Accounts Credit Agreement by and among Synergetics, Inc., Synergetics USA, Inc., Synergetics Germany, GmbH and Synergetics Italia, Srl as Borrowers and Regions Bank as Lender, dated as of January 31, 2008 (Filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 4, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.54

Amended and Restated Foreign Accounts Revolving Note from Synergetics, Inc., Synergetics USA, Inc., Synergetics Germany, GmbH and Synergetics Italia, Srl in favor of Regions Bank, dated as of January 31, 2008 (Filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 11, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.55

Second Amendment to Foreign Accounts Credit Agreement by and among Synergetics, Inc., Synergetics USA, Inc., Synergetics Germany, GmbH, Synergetics Italia, Srl and Synergetics France, SARL as Borrowers and Regions Bank as lender dated as of June 5, 2008 (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 10, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.56

Second Amended and Restated Foreign Accounts Revolving Note from Synergetics, Inc., Synergetics USA, Inc., Synergetics Germany, GmbH, Synergetics Italia, Srl and Synergetics France, SARL, in favor of Regions Bank, dated as of June 5, 2008.  (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 10, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.57

Fifth Amendment to Credit and Security Agreement by and among Synergetics, Inc. and Synergetics USA, Inc. as Borrowers and Regions Bank as Lender, dated December 1, 2008 (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 3, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.)10.58

Third Amendment to Foreign Accounts Credit Agreement by and among Synergetics, Inc. Synergetics USA, Inc., Synergetics Germany, GmbH, Synergetics Italia, Srl and Synergetics France, SARL as Borrowers and Regions Bank as lender dated as of June 4, 2009.10.59***

Seventh Amendment to Credit and Security Agreement by and among Synergetics Inc. and Synergetics USA, Inc. as Borrowers and Regions Bank as Lender, dated as of November 30, 2009 (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 3, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).10.60

Fourth Amendment to Credit and Security Agreement by and among Synergetics Inc., Synergetics USA, Inc., Synergetics Germany, GMBH, Synergetics Italia, Srl and Synergetics France, SARL as Borrowers and Regions Bank as Lender, dated as of November 30, 2009 (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 3, 2009 and incorporated by reference).10.61

Eighth Amendment to Credit and Security Agreement by and among Synergetics USA, Inc., Synergetics, Inc., as Borrowers and Regions Bank as Lender, dated as of November 30, 2010 (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 6, 2010).10.62

Termination of Foreign Accounts Credit and Security Agreement by and among Synergetics USA, Inc., and Synergetics, Inc., Synergetics Germany, GmbH, Synergetics Italia, Srl and Synergetics France SARL as Borrowers and Regions Bank as Lender, dated as of November 30, 2010 (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 6, 2010).  76
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  10.63

Confidential Settlement and License Agreement between Synergetics USA, Inc. and Alcon, Inc., Alcon Laboratories, Inc. and Alcon Research Ltd. (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).10.64

Supply Agreement between Synergetics, Inc. and Alcon Research Ltd. (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).10.65

Agreement dated October 19, 2009 by and among Synergetics USA, Inc., Steven R. Becker, BC Advisors, LLC, SRB Management, L.P., SRB Greenway Opportunity Fund, L.P. and SRB Greenway Capital (Q.P.), L.P. (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 20, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).10.66

Amendment executed April 19, 2010 by and among Synergetics USA, Inc., Steven R. Becker, BC Advisors, LLC, SRB Management, L.P., SRB Greenway Opportunity Fund, L.P. and SRB Greenway Capital (Q.P.), L.P. (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 22, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).21*

Subsidiaries of Registrant.23.1*

Consent of UHY, LLP.31.1*

Certification of the Registrant’s Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.31.2*

Certification of the Registrant’s Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.32.1*

Certification of the Registrant’s Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.32.2*

Certification of the Registrant’s Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  
 *           Filed herewith.
 **         Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
 ***       The Company did not enter into a sixth amendment to credit agreement.
  77