Annual Report (Form 10-K), fiscal year 1994

ITEM 1. BUSINESS
The Company* was incorporated in 1943 as a manufacturer of precision mechanical push/pull controls for military aircraft. From this original single market, single product orientation, the Company began to emphasize products and services in a broader range of economically diverse markets to reduce its vulnerability to economic cycles. Since the mid-1970s, the Company's investments have been directed toward specific market niches employing its technical capabilities to provide solutions to specific engineering problems and, more recently toward expanding into new but related medical businesses. The continuing stream of new products and value-added product improvements that have resulted from this strategy have enabled the Company to participate in larger market segments. Several of these new products and product improvements were developed by means of an unusual investment program of the Company called the New Venture Fund. Established in 1972, the Fund directs monies representing one-half percent of sales into the development of new products and services. This concept allows for entrepreneurial risk taking in new areas by encouraging innovation and competition among the Company's managers for funds to pursue new programs and activities independent of their operating budgets. Examples of New Venture projects include the initial funding of SermeTel(R) research and most of the early seed money for certain medical products.
The Company's business is separated into three segments -- Aerospace Products and Services, Medical Products and Commercial Products.
AEROSPACE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES SEGMENT
The Aerospace Products and Services Segment serves the aerospace, defense and turbine engine markets. Its businesses design and manufacture precision controls and systems for both military and commercial application; provide coating and repair services for turbine engine manufacturers, operators and overhaulers; and manufacture airfoils for both flight and land-based turbine engines.
These products and services, many of which are proprietary, require a high degree of engineering sophistication and are often custom designed. External economic influences on these products and services relate primarily to spending patterns in the worldwide aerospace and defense industry. The Aerospace Products and Services Segment consists of the Aerospace/Defense Group and Sermatech International.
Within the Aerospace/Defense Group, the Company designs and manufactures advanced mechanical and electromechanical controls, actuators, valves, control systems and other components for the aerospace and defense industries for application on commercial and military aircraft and helicopters, commuter aircraft, missiles, space vehicles, naval vessels, ground support equipment and ordnance. Many of these controls and control systems are based on the principle of mechanically transmitting, by flexible cable, a push-pull or rotary thrust. By advanced engineering techniques, this simple concept is employed in components and systems capable of transmitting force with precision to control and actuate functions at remote locations.
Aircraft controls and control systems include highly complex engine controls, aerodynamic surface controls and cargo handling systems. The principal products consist of throttle and thrust-reverser/feedback control systems for use on various fixed and rotary-wing aircraft and numerous other critical mechanical and electromechanical control systems. Controls and actuators designed and manufactured by the Company over the last several years include the canopy actuators for military fighter aircraft and missile launch components, specialized mechanical control systems for naval vessels, and alternate flap actuators and cargo systems for commercial aircraft.
The Company's design engineers work with design personnel from the major aircraft and jet engine manufacturers in the development of products for use on new aircraft. In addition, the Company supplies spare parts to aircraft operators. This spare parts business extends as long as the particular type of aircraft continues in service.
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* As used herein the "Company" refers to Teleflex Incorporated and its consolidated subsidiaries.
In the early 1960s, aircraft manufacturers began to encounter high temperature lubrication problems in connection with mechanical controls for aircraft jet engines. Through its subsidiary, Sermatech International, the Company utilized its aerospace experience and engineering capabilities to develop a series of formulations of inorganic coatings to solve these high temperature lubrication problems. These products were further developed by the Company and sold under the trademark SermeTel(R) to provide anti-corrosion protection for compressor blades and other airfoils. Sermatech International through a network of facilities in five countries, provides a variety of sophisticated protective coatings and other services for gas turbine engine components; highly-specialized repairs for critical components such as fan blades and airfoils; and manufacturing and high quality dimensional finishing of airfoils.
Through the years the Company has added other technologies through acquisition and internal development and now offers a diverse range of technical services and materials technologies to turbine markets throughout the world. In 1993 the Company acquired Mal Tool & Engineering, a manufacturer of fan blades for flight turbines, and airfoils for both flight and land-based gas turbines and steam turbines. The acquisition broadens the Company's product offering including turnkey manufactured and coated airfoils and provides another entree to major international turbine manufacturers.
MEDICAL PRODUCTS SEGMENT
Within the Medical Products Segment, the Company operates three businesses: TFX OEM, Rusch International and Pilling Weck. In the late 1970s, the Company decided to apply its polymer technologies to the medical market, and began by extruding intravenous catheter tubing which it sold to original equipment manufacturers. Through TFX OEM, the Company produces standard and custom-designed semi-finished components for other medical device manufacturers using its polymer materials and processing technology. Through acquisitions the Company established the other two product lines of this segment: hospital supply and surgical devices.
In 1989, the acquisition of Willy Rusch AG and affiliates in Germany brought with it an established manufacturing base and distribution network, particularly in Europe. This and other smaller acquisitions designed to broaden the Company's product offerings form the base of the hospital supply business. The Company conducts its hospital supply business under the name of Rusch International. This business includes the manufacture and sale of invasive disposable and reusable devices for the urology, gastroenterology, anesthesiology and respiratory care markets worldwide. The Rusch International product offerings include among others latex catheters, endotracheal tubes, laryngoscopes, face masks and tracheostomy tubes.
The acquisitions of the Pilling Company in 1991 and Edward Weck Incorporated in 1993 became the foundation of the surgical devices business now operating as Pilling Weck. The Weck acquisition was assimilated during 1994 into the existing surgical device operations. The combination of Pilling and Weck significantly expands the product offerings, marketing opportunities and selling capabilities in the surgical devices market in the United States; and provides opportunities for increasing international sales. During 1994, smaller acquisitions were made to balance the Company's product offerings in Europe. Pilling Weck manufactures and distributes primarily through its own sales force instruments used in both traditional (open) and minimally-invasive surgical procedures including general and specialized surgical instruments such as scissors, forceps, vascular clamps, needle holders, retractors, ligation clips, appliers, skin staples and electrosurgery products.
COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS SEGMENT
The Commercial Products Segment involves the design and manufacture of mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic controls and electronic products for the pleasure marine market; proprietary mechanical controls for the automotive market; and certain innovative proprietary products for the fluid transfer and outdoor power equipment markets.
Products in the Commercial Products Segment generally are less complex and are produced in higher unit volume, are manufactured for general distribution, as well as custom fabricated to meet individual customer needs. Consumer spending patterns generally influence the market trends for these products.
The Commercial Products Segment consists of three major product lines: Marine, Automotive and Industrial.
The Company is a leading domestic producer of mechanical steering systems for pleasure power boats. It also manufactures hydraulic steering systems, engine throttle and shift controls, electrical instrumentation and recently has expanded into electronic navigation, location and communication systems. In 1991 the Company acquired Marinex Industries, Ltd., a British manufacturer of marine electronics. Its Cetrek autopilots and navigational equipment complement Teleflex's hydraulic steering products which together can be sold to both the commercial and pleasure marine markets. Techsonic Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of marine information systems (electronic navigation, communication and fish location devices) sold through mass merchandisers under the Humminbird brand name, became a wholly owned subsidiary in 1992. In 1994, the Company acquired TX Controls, a Swedish manufacturer of mechanical and hydraulic steering systems, engine control systems and cables for application on marine craft and industrial vehicles. The acquisition of TX Controls, along with Marinex, enhanced the Company's access to the international marine market. Aside from the Humminbird products, the Company's marine products are sold principally to boat builders, in the aftermarket, and are used principally on pleasure craft but also have application on commercial vessels.
The Company is a major supplier of mechanical controls to the domestic automotive market. The principal products in this market are accelerator, transmission, shift, park lock, window regulator controls and a new heat resistant flexible fuel line. Acceptance by the automobile manufacturers of a Company-developed control for use on a new model ordinarily assures the Company a large, but not exclusive, market share for the supply of that control. The sales of mechanical automotive controls were $123,390,000, $139,128,000 and $164,500,000 in 1992, 1993 and 1994, respectively.
Industrial controls and electrical instrumentation products are also manufactured for use in other applications, including agricultural equipment, outdoor power equipment, leisure vehicles and other on- and off-road vehicles. In addition, the Company produces stainless steel overbraided fluoroplastic hose for fluid transfer in such markets as the chemical, petroleum and food processing industries.
MARKETING
In 1994, the percentages of the Company's consolidated net sales represented by its major markets were as follows: aerospace -- 25%; medical -- 31%; marine and industrial -- 24%; and automotive -- 20%.
The major portion of the Company's products are sold to original equipment manufacturers. Generally, products sold to the aerospace and automotive markets are sold through the Company's own force of field engineers. Products sold to the marine, medical and general industrial markets are sold both through the Company's own sales forces and through independent representatives and independent distributor networks.
For information on foreign operations, export sales, and principal customers, see text under the heading "Business segments and other information" on page 26 of the Company's 1994 Annual Report to Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
COMPETITION
The Company has varying degrees of competition in all elements of its business. None of the Company's competitors offers products for all the markets served by the Company. The Company believes that its competitive position depends on the technical competence and creative ability of its engineering and development personnel, the know-how and skill of its manufacturing personnel as well as its plants, tooling and other resources.
PATENTS
The Company owns a number of patents and has a number of patent applications pending. The Company does not believe that its business is materially dependent on patent protection.
SUPPLIERS
Materials used in the manufacture of the Company's products are purchased from a large number of suppliers. The Company is not dependent upon any single supplier for a substantial amount of the materials it uses.
BACKLOG
As of December 25, 1994 the Company's backlog of firm orders for the Aerospace Products and Services Segment was $106 million, of which it is anticipated that approximately three-fourths will be filled in 1995. The Company's backlog for Aerospace Products and Services on December 26, 1993 was $94 million.
As of December 25, 1994 the Company's backlog of firm orders for the Medical Products and Commercial Products segments was $21 million and $74 million, respectively. This compares with $23 million and $54 million, respectively, as of December 26, 1993. Substantially all of the December 25, 1994 backlog will be filled in 1995. Most of the Company's medical and commercial products are sold on orders calling for delivery within no more than a few months so that the backlog of such orders is not indicative of probable net sales in any future 12-month period.
EMPLOYEES
The Company had approximately 9,000 employees at December 25, 1994.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The names and ages of all executive officers of the Company as of March 1, 1995 and the positions and offices with the Company held by each such officer are as follows:
Mr. Boyer was elected as a director on December 6, 1993.
Mr. Sickler was elected Senior Vice President and President of TFX Equities Inc. on December 3, 1990. Prior to that date he was President and Chief Operating Officer -- Aerospace/Defense Group.
Dr. Carriker was named President and Chief Operating Officer -- TFX Aerospace on January 3, 1994. Prior to that date he was President -- Sermatech International.
Mr. Woodfield was elected President and Chief Operating Officer -- TFX Medical on March 9, 1992. Prior to that date, he was President of Empire Abrasive Equipment Corporation.
Mr. Chance was elected to the position of Secretary on December 3, 1990.
Mr. Boldt was named to the position of Vice President -- Human Resources on March 9, 1992. Prior to that date he was Director of Human Resources.
Ms. Dusossoit was named to the position of Vice President -- Investor Relations on March 1, 1993. From April 1, 1992 to March 1, 1993 she was Director of Investor Relations. Prior to that date she was a business consultant.
Mr. Byrne was elected Assistant Treasurer on December 3, 1990. Prior to that date, he was Director of Internal Auditing.
Officers are elected by the Board of Directors for one year terms. No family relationship exists between any of the executive officers of the Company.
ITEM 2.



ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Company's operations have approximately 90 owned and leased properties consisting of plants, engineering and research centers, distribution warehouses and other facilities. The properties are maintained in good operating condition. All the plants are suitably equipped and utilized, and have space available for the activities currently conducted therein and the increased volume expected in the foreseeable future.
The following are the Company's major facilities:
--------------- (1) The Company is the beneficial owner of these facilities under installment sale or similar financing agreements.
In addition to the above, the Company owns or leases approximately 500,000 square feet of warehousing, manufacturing and office space located in the United States, Canada and Europe.
ITEM 3.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Two subsidiaries of the Company have been identified as potentially responsible parties (PRPs) in connection with the Casmalia Resources Hazardous Waste Management Facility. The Company has joined a group of other PRPs, predominately in the aerospace industry, to negotiate with the United States Environmental Protection Agency a good faith offer to take over responsibility for a program of closure and post-closure care of the site. The PRPs from the aerospace industry are currently engaged in negotiations with a second PRP group with the aim of providing a common negotiating front with the Environmental Protection Agency.
In July 1994, the North Penn Water Authority ("NPWA") instituted suit against the Company in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. NPWA alleges that acts or omissions of the Company and four other defendants caused releases of chlorinated solvents that have contaminated, and continue to contaminate, one of NPWA's wells located near Lansdale, Pennsylvania. NPWA seeks injunctive relief to require defendants to abate the alleged contamination. NPWA also seeks the recovery of costs allegedly incurred because of the contamination. The Company filed an answer denying any liability to NPWA for the claims made in the complaint and is vigorously defending this action. The parties are engaged in settlement negotiations.
In the opinion of the Company's management, based on the current allocation formula and the facts presently known, the ultimate outcome of these environmental matters will not result in a liability material to the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
ITEM 4.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5.

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
See "Quarterly Financial Data" on page 27 of the Company's 1994 Annual Report to Shareholders for market price and dividend information. Also see the Note entitled "Borrowings and Leases" on page 23 of such Annual Report for certain dividend restrictions under loan agreements, all of which information is incorporated herein by reference. The Company had approximately 1,500 registered shareholders at February 1, 1995.
ITEM 6.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
See pages 28 through 31 of the Company's 1994 Annual Report to Shareholders, which pages are incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 7.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
See the text under the heading "Financial Review" on pages 32 through 37 of the Company's 1994 Annual Report to Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 8.


ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
See pages 19 through 27 of the Company's 1994 Annual Report to Shareholders, which pages are incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 9.

ITEM 9. DISAGREEMENTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 10.



ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
For information with respect to the Company's Directors and Director nominees, see "Election Of Directors" and "Additional Information About The Board Of Directors" on pages 2 through 4 of the Company's Proxy Statement for its 1995 Annual Meeting, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
For information with respect to the Company's Executive Officers, see Part I of this report on pages 4 and 5, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 11.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
See "Additional Information About The Board of Directors", "Board Compensation Committee", "Five-Year Shareholder Return Comparison" and "Executive Compensation and Other Information" on pages 4 through 10 and "Amendments to the 1990 Stock Compensation Plan" on pages 10 through 13 of the Company's Proxy Statement for its 1995 Annual Meeting, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
See "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" on pages 1 and 2 and "Election Of Directors" on pages 2 through 4 of the Company's Proxy Statement for its 1995 Annual Meeting, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 13.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
See "Additional Information About The Board Of Directors", "Board Compensation Committee" and "Executive Compensation and Other Information" on pages 4 through 10 of the Company's Proxy Statement for its 1995 Annual Meeting, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
ITEM 14.

ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) Consolidated Financial Statements:
The index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules is set forth on page 10 hereof.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K:
A Form 8-K was filed on January 5, 1994, as amended February 24, 1994 in connection with the acquisition of certain assets and the assumption of certain liabilities of Edward Weck Incorporated.
(c) Exhibits:
The Exhibits are listed in the Index to Exhibits.
For the purposes of complying with the amendments to the rules governing Form S-8 (effective July 13, 1990) under the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned registrant hereby undertakes as follows, which undertaking shall be incorporated by reference into registrant's Registration Statements on Form S-8 Nos. 2-84148 (filed June 28, 1989), 2-98715 (filed May 11, 1987), 33-34753 (filed May 10, 1990) and 33-53385 (filed April 29, 1994):
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Annual Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized as of the date indicated below.
TELEFLEX INCORPORATED
By LENNOX K. BLACK ------------------------------------ Lennox K. Black Chairman of the Board
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 as of the date indicated below.
By LENNOX K. BLACK ------------------------------------ Lennox K. Black (Principal Executive Officer)
By HAROLD L. ZUBER, JR. ------------------------------------ Harold L. Zuber, Jr. (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Pursuant to General Instruction D to Form 10-K, this report has been signed by Steven K. Chance as Attorney-in-Fact for a majority of the Board of Directors as of the date indicated below.
By STEVEN K. CHANCE ------------------------------------ Steven K. Chance Attorney-in-Fact
Dated: March 24, 1995
TELEFLEX INCORPORATED
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The consolidated financial statements together with the report thereon of Price Waterhouse LLP dated February 9, 1995 on pages 19 to 27 of the accompanying 1994 Annual Report to Shareholders are incorporated in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. With the exception of the aforementioned information, and those portions incorporated by specific reference in this document, the 1994 Annual Report to Shareholders is not to be deemed filed as part of this report. The following Financial Statement Schedule together with the report thereon of Price Waterhouse LLP dated February 9, 1995 on page 11 should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements in such 1994 Annual Report to Shareholders. Financial Statement Schedules not included in this Form 10-K Annual Report have been omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
Schedule:
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
To the Board of Directors of Teleflex Incorporated
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements referred to in our report dated February 9, 1995 appearing on page 27 of the 1994 Annual Report to Shareholders of Teleflex Incorporated (which report and consolidated financial statements are incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K) also included an audit of the Financial Statement Schedule listed in Item 14(a) of this Form 10-K. In our opinion, the Financial Statement Schedule presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements.
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
Thirty South Seventeenth Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 February 9, 1995
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectuses constituting part of the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (No. 2-84148, No. 2-98715, No. 33-34753, and No. 33-53385) of Teleflex Incorporated of our report dated February 9, 1995 appearing on page 27 of the 1994 Annual Report to Shareholders which is incorporated in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We also consent to the incorporation by reference of our report on the Financial Statement Schedule, which appears above.
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
Thirty South Seventeenth Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 March 24, 1995
TELEFLEX INCORPORATED
SCHEDULE VIII -- VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS
March 20, 1995
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT
3 (a) - The Company's Articles of Incorporation (except for Article Thirteenth and the first paragraph of Article Fourth) are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to the Company's Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 1985. Article Thirteenth of the Company's Articles of Incorporation is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3 of the Company's Form 10-Q for the period ended June 28, 1987. The first paragraph of Article Fourth of the Company's Articles of Incorporation is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3 of the Company's Form 10-Q for the period ended June 25, 1989 (filed with Form 8, dated August 23, 1989).
(b) - The Company's Bylaws are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(b) of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 1987.
10 (a) - The 1982 Stock Option Plan, incorporated herein by reference to the Company's registration statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 2-84148), as supplemented, with amendments of April 26, 1991 incorporated by reference to the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the 1991 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
(b) - The 1990 Stock Compensation Plan, incorporated herein by reference to the Company's registration statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 33-34753), with amendments of April 26, 1991 incorporated by reference to the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the 1991 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
(c) - The Salaried Employees' Pension Plan, as amended and restated in its entirety, effective July 1, 1985 and the retirement income plan as amended and restated in its entirety effective January 1, 1994 and related Trust Agreements, dated July 1, 1994.
(d) - Description of deferred compensation arrangements between the Company and its Chairman, L.K. Black, incorporated by reference to the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the 1995 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
(e) - Information on the Company's Profit Participation Plan,
INDEX TO EXHIBITS . . . PAGE 2
insurance arrangements with certain officers and deferred compensation arrangements with certain officers, non-qualified supplementary pension plan for salaried employees and compensation arrangements with directors is incorporated by reference to the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the 1993, 1994 and 1995 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
(f) - The Company's Voluntary Investment Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28 of the Company's registration statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 2-98715).
(g) - Asset Purchase Agreement between Teleflex Incorporated and Edward Weck Incorporated dated as of November 15, 1993 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 of the Company's Form 8-K filed January 5, 1994.
13 - Pages 19 through 31 of the Company's Annual Report to Shareholders for the period ended December 25, 1994.
22 - The Company's Subsidiaries.
24 - Consent of Independent Accountants (see page 11 herein).
25 - Power of Attorney.