Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter Results

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc. (NYSE: HGR) announced net sales of $226.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2010, an increase of $21.4 million, or 10.4%, from $205.1 million in the prior year. Adjusted diluted earnings per share, which excludes the cost to relocate the Company’s corporate headquarters, the cost to refinance debt, the loss incurred to terminate an interest rate swap and the costs related to the acquisition of Accelerated Care Plus Corp (ACP), were $0.52 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2010, a 40.5% increase compared to $0.37 per diluted share for the same period in 2009. Adjusted diluted earnings per share for the quarter included $0.06 in one time tax benefits. Diluted earnings per share were $0.02 for the fourth quarter of 2010.

The $21.4 million increase in sales for the fourth quarter of 2010 was primarily the result of a $11.2 million, or 6.2%, increase in same-center sales in the patient care segment, a $1.9 million, or 8.7% increase in sales from the Company’s distribution segment, $5.3 million in sales from the therapeutic solutions segment and a $3.0 million increase principally related to sales from acquired patient care entities. Income from operations for the quarter ended December 31, 2010 was $25.7 million compared to $27.5 million in the prior year. Excluding the $2.2 million of costs related to the relocation of the corporate headquarters and the $4.9 million of cost related to the acquisition of ACP, income from operations increased 19.3% to $32.8 million due to increased sales and expense management. Adjusted income from operations as a percentage of sales improved 110 basis points to 14.5% in 2010 compared to 13.4% in 2009.

Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2010 increased by $57.3 million, or 7.5%, to $817.4 million from $760.1 million for the prior year. The sales increase was principally the result of a $30.4 million, or 4.6%, increase in same-center sales in the patient care centers, a $7.5 million, or 8.5%, increase in sales of the Company’s distribution segment, $5.5 million in sales from the therapeutic solutions segment and a $13.9 million increase principally related to sales from acquired patient care entities. Income from operations for 2010 was $81.4 million compared to $90.5 million in the prior year. After excluding the $16.4 million of costs related to the relocation of the corporate headquarters and $5.4 million in costs related to the acquisition of ACP, income from operations increased 14.0% to $103.2 million. As was the case for the quarter, the adjusted income from operations increased due to both the sales increase and expense management. Adjusted income from operations as a percentage of sales improved 70 basis points compared to the prior year. Diluted earnings per share for 2010 were $0.65. Adjusted diluted earnings per share for 2010, which excludes the cost to relocate the corporate headquarters, the cost to refinance debt, the loss incurred to terminate an interest rate swap and cost related to the acquisition of ACP, increased 25.8% to $1.42 from $1.13 in the prior year. Adjusted diluted earnings per share for 2010 included $0.06 in one time tax benefits.

The Company generated $70.1 million in cash flow from operations in 2010 compared to $73.1 million in the prior year, a $3.0 million decrease. The decrease was caused by $3.3 million in ACP acquisition costs and $9.3 million in move related payments. After utilizing approximately $100.0 million of cash on hand to partially fund the acquisition of ACP, the Company ended the year with $36.3 million of cash and had total liquidity of $133.1 million, which includes $96.8 million available under its revolving credit facility.

“The quarter completes our fifth consecutive year in which we have met or exceeded street estimates. The credit for this accomplishment belongs to our employees and their drive to provide the best possible care to our patients and to excel at meeting our customers’ needs,” commented Thomas F. Kirk, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hanger Orthopedic Group. Mr. Kirk added, “With the addition of ACP and their dedicated employees we have acquired an exciting new strategic growth platform which, when viewed in conjunction with our existing operations, will expand our market potential.”

The Company has substantially completed the relocation of its corporate headquarters from Bethesda, Maryland to Austin, Texas. The cost of the move is reported as a separate component of income from operations. In connection with the move the Company incurred severance, lease termination and other relocation costs of $2.2 million and $16.4 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2010, respectively. The Company anticipates incurring $1.5 to $2.5 million of additional costs in the first half of 2011 as the final employee moves are completed. Savings from the move have been incorporated into guidance for 2011 discussed below.

For 2011, the Company expects full year revenues to be between $945 million and $955 million and diluted EPS in a range of $1.63 to $1.68. As in past years, the Company has a goal to increase operating margins by 20-40 basis points in its core business. The Company expects to generate cash flow from operations of $85-$95 million and plans to invest $40-$50 million in new capital additions to fund our core businesses, including ACP’s continued expansion and development of a comprehensive electronic practice management system.

About Hanger Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc., headquartered in Austin, Texas, is the world’s premier provider for services and products that enhance human physical capability. Hanger provides orthotic and prosthetic patient care services, distributes O&P devices and components and provides therapeutic solutions to the broader post acute market. Hanger is the largest owner and operator of orthotic and prosthetic patient care centers with in excess of 675 O&P patient care centers located in 45 states and the District of Columbia. Hanger, through its subsidiary Southern Prosthetic Supply, Inc, is also the largest distributor of branded and private label O&P devices and components in the United States. Hanger provides therapeutic solutions through its subsidiaries Innovative Neurotronics and Accelerated Care Plus. Innovative Neurotronics introduces emerging neuromuscular technologies developed through independent research in a collaborative effort with industry suppliers worldwide. Accelerated Care Plus is a developer of specialized rehabilitation technologies and the nation’s leading provider of evidence-based clinical programs for post-acute rehabilitation serving more than 4,000 long-term care facilities and other sub-acute rehabilitation providers throughout the U.S. For more information on Hanger, visit www.hanger.com.

This document contains forward-looking statements relating to the Company’s results of operations. The United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for certain forward-looking statements. Statements relating to future results of operations in this document reflect the current views of management. However, various risks, uncertainties and contingencies could cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements, including the Company’s ability to enter into and derive benefits from managed care contracts, the demand for the Company’s orthotic and prosthetic services and products and the other factors identified in the Company’s periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

-Tables to follow-