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CONMED Corporation

cnmd · NYSE Healthcare
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Ticker cnmd
Exchange NYSE
Sector Healthcare
Industry Medical - Devices
Employees 3900
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FY2019 Annual Report · CONMED Corporation
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Annual Report 2019

CONTINUING THE CLIMB

5
50
5

5 years ago a transformation of CONMED was initiated as the company faced investor concern, 
market changes and slowed innovation leading to decreased demand. A broad revamp of the board, 
management team and company strategy followed. With a new emphasis on people, products and 
profits, CONMED began the process of regaining customer trust.  New people brought fresh ideas 
and novel perspectives. CONMED invested in innovation through internal R&D and acquisitions to 
deliver quality products that make a difference to the healthcare providers and the patients they 
treat. The results of these efforts have led to the above-market revenue and profitability growth 
illustrated in this report.

50 years ago, on February 10th, 1970, the CONMED story began when Eugene Corasanti started 
manufacturing disposable ECG electrodes in Utica, New York. Through commercial channel evolution 
and  acquisitions,  CONMED  grew  in  both  revenue  and  profitability  resulting  in  a  public  listing  in 
1987. In addition to electrodes, CONMED developed a diversified portfolio with a broad offering of 
products in the attractive orthopedic, general surgery and gastrointestinal markets. Today, there are 
over 3,300 CONMED employees spanning 6 continents with a global sales presence in over 100 
countries. In 2020, CONMED is proud to celebrate our 50-year anniversary punctuated by our move 
to the New York Stock Exchange on February 10th, 2020 exactly 50 years after our founding. We think 
Mr. Corasanti would be proud of CONMED today! 

5 years from now, we see CONMED continuing to Make a Difference in the lives of our customers 
and the patients they treat. Times will change, but our mission to enable healthcare providers around 
the world to deliver exceptional outcomes for patients through accessible CONMED solutions will 
not. We will continue to be focused on people, products and profits. Though the future is impossible 
to predict, we know that when we listen to our customers, understand the challenges they face, 
solve their problems with new innovations and make it easier for them to care for their patients – 
success and growth will follow.

Dear Shareholder,

2019 was a year of continued progress for CONMED Corporation. Our focus on driving innovation through 
internal development and strategic acquisitions resulted in a steady cadence of new product introductions 
that drove strong revenue and earnings growth. 

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Board of Directors and to the entire CONMED team, whose 
dedication and ingenuity continued to position the Company as a leading innovator in the markets we serve. 

I am excited to be celebrating CONMED’s 50th anniversary in 2020, and it is a great time to reflect on 
our achievements. Most notably, our commitment to management’s key initiatives over the last five years 
has transformed the Company, and, looking ahead, we remain confident that our strategy will put even 
more innovative new products in the hands of clinicians and drive continued momentum in our financial 
performance. 

I am also proud of the enhancements to support our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) program in 
2019. While this is a new topic in my letter, it is not a new topic across CONMED. For example, our Chihuahua, 
Mexico plant received its 6th consecutive Clean Industry Certification, and our recently acquired portfolio of 
Buffalo Filter products is improving air quality in operating rooms worldwide. In 2020, we will formalize our 
global programs by hiring an ESG-focused resource and establishing a CONMED Foundation for charitable 
contributions. 

In the second half of 2019, we welcomed two new board members, LaVerne Council and Barbara 
Schwarzentraub, and both of these women bring a wealth of global executive leadership experience that will  
be invaluable in contributing to CONMED’s continued growth. 

On behalf of CONMED’s Board of Directors and management team, I would like to thank you for your 
continued support and trust in us as stewards of your Company.

Sincerely, 

Mark Tryniski
Chair

Dear Shareholder, 

When I arrived at CONMED five years ago, we outlined a transformation strategy centered on two core 
components: hire the right people and strategically invest in developing a more innovative product portfolio. 
As we made progress on these first two components, we introduced a third component in 2018 focused on 
greatly improving our profitability. Our commitment to – and focus on – these three strategic mandates has 
resulted in above-market revenue and profitability growth, as well as an average annual shareholder return of 
22.6% over the 5 years ending on December 31, 2019.

In 2019, we continued to drive innovation within our existing markets, delivered a strong cadence of new 
products, and also entered the smoke evacuation market through the exciting acquisition of Buffalo Filter. 
Our sales in 2019 were $955.1 million, an increase over the prior year of 11.1% as reported and 11.7% in 
constant currency. We also delivered adjusted net income of $77.9 million, an increase of 24.0% over the prior 
year, and adjusted diluted net earnings per share of $2.64, an increase of 21.1% over the prior year. 

We achieved this solid top- and bottom-line growth for the year while continuing to invest in our future 
success. We accelerated investments in our sales infrastructure during the fourth quarter to further solidify 
our foundation for sustainable near- and long-term, above-market revenue and profitability growth and to 
ensure that we build on the momentum generated throughout 2019.  

Now, in 2020, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of CONMED by Eugene Corasanti, we 
are poised to cross the $1 billion annual revenue mark for the first time in the Company’s history. Further, on 
February 10th, 2020 the exact day of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Company, we transitioned 
the listing of our common stock to the New York Stock Exchange and joined an impressive group of high-
performing medical device companies. These are exciting milestones in our continued progress, and all are 
made possible by having the right people in the right places to put the innovative products in the hands of  
our customers. 

As we turn our attention to the next five years, we remain squarely focused on driving revenue growth in the 
mid-single-digits or higher, as well as at least double-digit earnings growth on an annual basis. In the last five 
years, we have nearly doubled our annual R&D spend, which has played a key role in revenue and profitability 
growth of almost 30% and 45%, respectively, as shown in the following chart. We are committed to continuing 
to build on this momentum over the next five years. 

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0

Annual  
Revenue

Annual R&D 
Spend

Annual  
EBITDA

After 45 Years

Added in 5 Years

A balanced product portfolio remains a key driver of our long-term growth outlook. When I joined the company  
in 2014, our overall performance was heavily weighted to the performance of our orthopedics portfolio. 
Through both internal development and meaningful M&A, including the acquisitions of SurgiQuest in 2016 
and Buffalo Filter in 2019, we have achieved more consistent company performance given the good balance 
between General Surgery and Orthopedics. 

Within this portfolio, we are applying more focus and resources on the faster growing areas of these very 
large and attractive markets. As we do this, we are shifting the mix of the portfolio to faster growth, which we 
believe will allow us to continue to grow faster than our markets in total.        

I would also like to welcome CONMED’s two newest board members, LaVerne Council and Barbara Schwarzentraub. 
Both of these women are very distinguished in their previous endeavors, with success at every level of their 
careers. I have enjoyed getting to know each of them on a personal and professional level, and I look forward 
to their contributions as we continue to drive CONMED forward.

We are very pleased with continued strength of the business demonstrated in 2019, and with the operational 
strides we have made, as well as the shareholder value we have created. On behalf of our management team 
and the Board of Directors, I thank you for your confidence in CONMED, and I look forward to updating you on 
our progress throughout 2020. I truly feel the best is yet to come!

Respectfully,

Curt Hartman
President & CEO

*Constant currency net sales growth, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted net earnings per share are Non-GAAP financial measures.  
Refer to the Additional Information page for the “GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations” section for reconciliations to the most directly 
comparable GAAP financial measures, reported net sales, net income and diluted net earnings per share.

A Culture of Success Reflected in 2019Became the Leader in Smoke ManagementCONMED completed the acquisition of Buffalo Filter and its comprehensive product portfolio that includes smoke evacuation pencils, smoke evacuators, and laparoscopic solutions. CONMED is now the Leader in Surgical Smoke Evacuation – focused on helping improve air quality and safety in operating rooms.A Paradigm Shift in Hip Arthroscopy In March of 2019, CONMED Orthopedics announced the Paradigm™ Hip System. Designed by some of the world’s leading hip surgeons, this system is a complete portfolio of products designed with safety in mind to provide surgeons with simple and reproducible solutions for arthroscopic hip repairs. ACL and PCL Made EasyIn August of 2019, CONMED’s design team comprised of R&D and world-renowned surgeons, announced the new Infinity™ Knee System.  Infinity™  is a modular platform for ACL & PCL reconstructions that is designed to give surgeons one system with multiple possibilities.JANUARYMAYAPRILFEBRUARYJUNEMARCHIncreasing Diversity on CONMED’s BoardBringing a wealth of global executive leadership experience and proven track records of success in developing and implementing strategies across global organizations while driving shareholder value, CONMED welcomed LaVerne Council and Barbara Schwarzentraub to our Board of Directors.  Winning with  Medical Education The number of surgeons trained by CONMED’s Medical Education Team increased by 36% in 2019 – setting a new all-time record and helping ensure that more surgeons received valuable firsthand experience with CONMED’s newest innovations. SEPTEMBERAUGUSTDECEMBEROCTOBERJULYNOVEMBER2019 Company Snapshot

$955M / FY2019 Revenue

Geographic Revenue

Product Revenue

All Other 
17%

Americas 
Ex-US 10%

46%
Int’l Rev.

US
54%

Europe
19%

  Orthopedics

  Endoscopic Technologies

  Patient Care

  Legacy Advanced Surgical

  AirSeal®

  Buffalo Filter®

Orthopedics

 Surgical devices including capital, single-use, and implants 
used in the repair of soft tissue and joint injuries.

79%

Recurring, single-use revenue

General Surgery

 Low Impact™ Laparoscopy, enabled by the AirSeal® System

   GI therapeutic and diagnostic products

 ECG, MFE (Multi-Function Electrodes), and other  
Patient Care devices

 OR Smoke Management, Buffalo Filter® product line

3,300

Employees globally

1970

Founded and Headquartered in 
Utica, New York

   
  
  
  
Board Members

Top row (Left to Right):

Jerome J. Lande  
Director 

Charles M. Farkas 
Director

David Bronson  
Director

Dr. John L. Workman 
Director

Brian P. Concannon 
Director

Barbara J. Schwarzentraub 
Director

Bottom row (Left to Right):

Martha Goldberg Aronson  
Director

LaVerne Council 
Director

Mark E. Tryniski  
Chair of the Board of Directors

Curt R. Hartman 
President, Chief Executive  
Officer & Director

Executive Officers

Top row (Left to Right):

Peter K. Shagory 
Executive Vice President, Strategy 
& Corporate Development 

Nathan Folkert  
Vice President & General  
Manager, U.S. Orthopedics

Wilfredo Ruiz-Caban 
Executive Vice President, Quality 
Assurance, Regulatory Affairs & 
Operations

John E. (Jed) Kennedy  
Group Executive Vice President, 
Patient Care and Endoscopic 
Technologies

Patrick J. Beyer  
President, CONMED International

Stanley W. (Bill) Peters  
Vice President & General Manager,  
U.S. Advanced Surgical

Bottom row (Left to Right):

Daniel S. Jonas, Esq. 
Executive Vice President, Legal 
Affairs & General Counsel & 
Secretary

Curt R. Hartman  
President, Chief Executive  
Officer & Director

Heather L. Cohen  
Executive Vice President,  
Human Resources

Todd W. Garner  
Executive Vice President  
& Chief Financial Officer

Not Pictured:

Terence M. Bergé 
Vice President, Corporate Controller

Sarah M. Oliker, Esq. 
Assistant General Counsel & 
Assistant Secretary

Johonna Pelletier 
Treasurer & Vice President, Tax

 
Additional Information

CORPORATE OFFICE

CONMED Corporation 
525 French Road 
Utica, NY 13502 
Phone: 1-315-797-8375 
Fax: 1-315-797-0321

Customer Service 
1-866-4CONMED 
customerexperience@CONMED.com

Website: www.CONMED.com 
Ethics policy available at 
www.CONMED.com

SHAREHOLDER 
INFORMATION

Interested shareholders may  
obtain a copy of the Company’s  
Annual Report without charge  
upon written request to:

Transfer Agent/Registrar 
Computershare Investor Services

P.O. Box 505000 
Louisville, KY 40233-5000 
1-800-368-5948 
www.computershare.com/investor

Investor Relations Department 
CONMED Corporation

Independent Registered  
Public Accounting Firm

Attn: Todd Garner 
525 French Road 
Utica, NY 13502 
1-315-624-3317

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
1200 Bausch & Lomb Place 
Rochester, NY 14604

STOCK

CONMED Corporation’s stock is  
traded on the New York Stock 
Exchange with the symbol: CNMD

GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations

Reconciliation	of	Reported	Net	Income	to	Adjusted	Net	Income*
(in	thousands,	except	per	share	amounts,	unaudited)

Reconciliation	of	Reported	Net	Income	to	Adjusted	Net	Income*
(in	thousands,	except	per	share	amounts,	unaudited)
Reconciliation	of	Reported	Net	Income	to	Adjusted	Net	Income*
Reconciliation	of	Reported	Net	Income	to	Adjusted	Net	Income*
(in	thousands,	except	per	share	amounts,	unaudited)
(in	thousands,	except	per	share	amounts,	unaudited)

Reconciliation	of	Reported	Net	Income	to	Adjusted	Net	Income*
(in	thousands,	except	per	share	amounts,	unaudited)

Reconciliation	of	Reported	Net	Income	to	Adjusted	Net	Income*
(in	thousands,	except	per	share	amounts,	unaudited)
Year	Ended	December	31,	2019

Reconciliation	of	Reported	Net	Income	to	Adjusted	Net	Income*
(in	thousands,	except	per	share	amounts,	unaudited)

Gross	Profit

Gross	Profit
Gross	Profit

$															

$															

Gross	Profit

As	reported
%	of	sales
Business	acquisition	costs
Manufacturing	consolidation	costs
Debt	refinancing	costs

As	reported
%	of	sales
As	reported
As	reported
As	reported
$															
As	reported
524,715
As	reported
$															
Business	acquisition	costs
%	of	sales
%	of	sales
%	of	sales
%	of	sales
54.9%
%	of	sales
Manufacturing	consolidation	costs
Business	acquisition	costs
Business	acquisition	costs
Business	acquisition	costs
Business	acquisition	costs
1,335
Business	acquisition	costs
Debt	refinancing	costs
Manufacturing	consolidation	costs
Manufacturing	consolidation	costs
Manufacturing	consolidation	costs
Manufacturing	consolidation	costs
2,858
Manufacturing	consolidation	costs
$															
Debt	refinancing	costs
Debt	refinancing	costs
Debt	refinancing	costs
Debt	refinancing	costs
-
Debt	refinancing	costs
Adjusted	gross	profit	%
$															
528,908
$															
Amortization
$																				
Adjusted	gross	profit	%
Adjusted	gross	profit	%
Adjusted	gross	profit	%
Adjusted	gross	profit	%
Adjusted	gross	profit	%
55.4%
Adjusted	gross	profit	%
Adjusted	net	income
Amortization
Amortization
Amortization
Amortization
Amortization
6,000
Amortization
%	of	sales
Adjusted	net	income
Adjusted	net	income
Adjusted	net	income
Adjusted	net	income
Adjusted	net	income
Adjusted	net	income
%	of	sales
%	of	sales
%	of	sales
%	of	sales
%	of	sales
%	of	sales

$																				
$																				

$																				

$															

Year	Ended	December	31,	2019

Year	Ended	December	31,	2019

Year	Ended	December	31,	2019
Year	Ended	December	31,	2019

Research	&	
Selling	&	
Year	Ended	December	31,	2019
Year	Ended	December	31,	2019
Effective	
Other	
Tax
Operating	
Development	
Administrative	
Interest	
Research	&	
Selling	&	
Research	&	
Selling	&	
Research	&	
Selling	&	
Research	&	
Research	&	
Selling	&	
Selling	&	
Research	&	
Selling	&	
Tax	Rate
Expense
Expense
Income
Expense
Expense
Expense
Tax
Other	
Interest	
Operating	
Effective	
Effective	
Tax
Other	
Tax
Other	
Interest	
Operating	
Operating	
Interest	
Development	
Administrative	
Development	
Administrative	
Development	
Administrative	
Tax
Effective	
Other	
Interest	
Tax
Interest	
Operating	
Operating	
Other	
Development	
Administrative	
Development	
Administrative	
Effective	
Tax
Other	
Operating	
Interest	
Development	
Administrative	
$											
$								
$											
8.3%
2,605
5,188
45,460
400,141
524,715
$											
$																			
79,114
42,701
$																	
Gross	Profit
Gross	Profit
Expense
Expense
Expense
Expense
Income
Tax	Rate
Tax	Rate
Expense
Expense
Expense
Expense
Income
Income
Expense
Expense
Expense
Expense
Expense
Expense
Expense
Net	Income
Gross	Profit
Income
Expense
Tax	Rate
Expense
Expense
Expense
Expense
Income
Expense
Expense
Expense
Expense
Expense
Expense
Expense
Income
Tax	Rate
Expense
Expense
Expense
4.8%
41.9%
54.9%
8.3%
$											
2,605
$								
5,188
$											
42,701
$											
79,114
$																			
45,460
$																	
400,141
$															
524,715
2,605
$											
8.3%
$								
5,188
42,701
$											
2,605
$								
5,188
79,114
$											
$											
$											
$																			
45,460
$																	
400,141
$															
524,715
$											
79,114
$																			
45,460
400,141
42,701
524,715
$																	
$								
$											
8.3%
5,188
$											
42,701
45,460
400,141
79,114
28,620
$											
$											
2,605
2,605
$								
5,188
$											
42,701
$											
$																	
$															
400,141
524,715
$																			
45,460
$											
$																			
79,114
$																	
8.3%
$											
$								
2,605
5,188
$											
$											
79,114
$																			
45,460
400,141
42,701
524,715
$																	
3,609
-
-
14,401
-
(13,066)
1,335
8.3%
4.8%
41.9%
54.9%
8.3%
4.8%
41.9%
54.9%
8.3%
4.8%
41.9%
54.9%
4.8%
41.9%
8.3%
41.9%
54.9%
4.8%
8.3%
8.3%
4.8%
41.9%
54.9%
354
-
2,858
-
-
-
2,858
-
-
14,401
-
(13,066)
1,335
-
-
3,609
-
14,401
-
(13,066)
1,335
14,401
-
(13,066)
-
1,335
3,609
-
-
-
(13,066)
-
-
(13,066)
1,335
14,401
14,401
-
3,609
-
14,401
-
(13,066)
-
1,335
(3,904)
1,149
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,858
-
-
2,858
-
-
354
-
2,858
-
-
2,858
2,858
-
-
-
2,858
354
-
-
-
-
2,858
2,858
-
2,858
-
-
-
354
-
2,858
-
-
-
2,858
1,284
$											
$											
$																			
$																	
$											
$								
7,717
42,701
96,373
45,460
387,075
528,908
-
-
(3,904)
-
-
-
-
-
(3,904)
-
1,149
(3,904)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(3,904)
-
-
-
-
(3,904)
1,149
-
-
-
-
1,149
(3,904)
-
-
-
-
-
55.4%
$								
1,284
$											
42,701
$											
96,373
$																			
45,460
$																	
387,075
$															
528,908
$											
$								
1,284
$											
42,701
$											
96,373
$																			
45,460
$																	
387,075
$															
528,908
$								
$											
7,717
1,284
$											
96,373
$																			
45,460
387,075
$											
42,701
528,908
$																	
$								
$											
42,701
96,373
$											
$																	
$															
1,284
$											
42,701
7,717
45,460
528,908
$											
96,373
$																			
45,460
387,075
$											
$																			
$								
1,284
$																	
387,075
$											
$								
7,717
1,284
$											
96,373
$																			
45,460
387,075
$											
42,701
528,908
$																	
(26,075)
-
(11,756)
32,075
10,590
-
6,000
55.4%
55.4%
55.4%
55.4%
55.4%
18,307
1,284
128,448
$																	
$									
$								
$									
30,945
45,460
361,000
-
-
-
(11,756)
32,075
-
$																				
6,000
(11,756)
32,075
$																				
6,000
10,590
-
32,075
-
(26,075)
(11,756)
6,000
-
-
(11,756)
10,590
(11,756)
32,075
(26,075)
32,075
-
$																				
6,000
(26,075)
-
10,590
32,075
-
(26,075)
(11,756)
6,000
4.8%
37.8%
13.4%
128,448
$									
$								
1,284
$											
30,945
$									
$																			
45,460
$																	
$									
$								
1,284
$											
30,945
$									
128,448
$																			
45,460
$																	
$									
18,307
1,284
$									
128,448
45,460
361,000
$								
30,945
$																	
$											
$											
$								
$									
$																	
1,284
19.0%
30,945
18,307
361,000
$											
128,448
$																			
45,460
128,448
$									
$																			
$								
1,284
361,000
30,945
$									
$											
$									
$								
$									
1,284
18,307
30,945
128,448
45,460
361,000
$																	
13.4%
4.8%
13.4%
4.8%
13.4%
4.8%
37.8%
13.4%
4.8%
37.8%
13.4%
37.8%
13.4%
4.8%
37.8%
Sales	Summary*
(in	millions,	unaudited)
Sales	Summary*
Sales	Summary*
Sales	Summary*
Sales	Summary*
Sales	Summary*
%	Change	from	2019	to	2018
(in	millions,	unaudited)
(in	millions,	unaudited)
(in	millions,	unaudited)
(in	millions,	unaudited)
(in	millions,	unaudited)
%	Change	from	2019	to	2018
%	Change	from	2019	to	2018
%	Change	from	2019	to	2018
%	Change	from	2019	to	2018
%	Change	from	2019	to	2018
Impact	of	
Foreign	
Impact	of	
Impact	of	
Impact	of	
Impact	of	
Currency
Foreign	
Foreign	
Constant	
Foreign	
Foreign	
0.6%
11.1%
As	Reported
Currency
As	Reported
Currency
As	Reported
Currency
Currency
Currency
11.1%
11.1%
0.6%
11.1%
0.6%
11.1%
11.7%
0.6%
11.1%

859.6
$																						
2019
2018
2019
2018
2018
2018
2019
2018
$																						
859.6
$																				
955.1
$																						
859.6
$																				
955.1
$																						
955.1
859.6
859.6
$																						
$																						
$																				
955.1
859.6
955.1
$																						

Sales	Summary*
(in	millions,	unaudited)
%	Change	from	2019	to	2018

Constant	
Impact	of	
Impact	of	
Currency
Constant	
Foreign	
Foreign	
Constant	
11.7%
Currency
Currency
Currency
Currency
0.6%
0.6%
11.7%
11.7%

$																			
(26,075)
(26,075)
-
361,000
361,000
$																			
$																	
45,460
$																			
37.8%
37.8%
4.8%

3,609
354
1,149
$											
7,717

3,609
354
1,149
7,717
$											
$											

3,609
10,792
354
2,504
1,149
2,755
7,717
44,671

Constant	
Currency
0.6%

Constant	
Currency
11.7%

Constant	
Currency
11.7%

10,590
18,307
$											
$									

As	Reported
As	Reported

10,590
18,307

10,590
18,307

33,241
77,912

As	Reported

As	Reported

19.0%
19.0%

$											

19.0%

955.1

2018

2018

Net	Income
Diluted	EPS
Effective	
Effective	
$															
$											
28,620
0.97
Diluted	EPS
Diluted	EPS
Net	Income
Net	Income
Net	Income
Diluted	EPS
Tax	Rate
Diluted	EPS
Diluted	EPS
Net	Income
Tax	Rate
Diluted	EPS
Net	Income
$															
0.97
$											
28,620
8.3%
0.97
$															
$											
28,620
8.3%
$											
28,620
$															
0.97
$															
28,620
0.97
8.3%
$											
$															
0.97
$											
28,620
$															
0.97
10,792
0.37
2,504
0.08
10,792
0.37
10,792
10,792
0.37
2,755
0.09
2,504
0.08
2,504
2,504
0.08
44,671
1.51
2,755
0.09
2,755
2,755
0.09
$															
$											
44,671
1.51
$															
44,671
44,671
1.51
33,241
1.13
77,912
2.64
33,241
1.13
33,241
33,241
1.13
$															
$											
77,912
2.64
$															
19.0%
77,912
77,912
2.64

10,792
10,792
0.37
2,504
2,504
0.08
$															
2,755
2,755
0.09
$											
44,671
44,671
$															
$											
1.51
$															

0.37
0.08
0.09
$															
1.51
$															

1.13
$															
2.64
$															

$															
33,241
77,912
$															
$											
$															

33,241
1.13
$											
77,912
2.64

0.37
0.08
0.09
1.51

0.37
0.08
0.09
1.51

$											
$											

19.0%
$											
$											

1.13
2.64

1.13
2.64

$											

$											

19.0%

Net	Sales

2019
$																				
2019
2019
$																				
$																				

955.1

2019
$																				

Net	Sales

Net	Sales

Net	Sales

Net	Sales

*	

Net	Sales
Net	Sales
Refer	to	our	2019	Annual	Report	on	Form	10-K,	available	both	within	this	document	and	at	www.conmed.com,	as	well	as	our	Form	8-K	filed	with	the	SEC	on	January	29,	2020,	for	additional	information	
regarding	our	non-GAAP	measures.
Refer	to	our	2019	Annual	Report	on	Form	10-K,	available	both	within	this	document	and	at	www.conmed.com,	as	well	as	our	Form	8-K	filed	with	the	SEC	on	January	29,	2020,	for	additional	information	
Refer	to	our	2019	Annual	Report	on	Form	10-K,	available	both	within	this	document	and	at	www.conmed.com,	as	well	as	our	Form	8-K	filed	with	the	SEC	on	January	29,	2020,	for	additional	information	
regarding	our	non-GAAP	measures.
regarding	our	non-GAAP	measures.

*	
Refer	to	our	2019	Annual	Report	on	Form	10-K,	available	both	within	this	document	and	at	www.conmed.com,	as	well	as	our	Form	8-K	filed	with	the	SEC	on	January	29,	2020,	for	additional	information	
regarding	our	non-GAAP	measures.

*	
Refer	to	our	2019	Annual	Report	on	Form	10-K,	available	both	within	this	document	and	at	www.conmed.com,	as	well	as	our	Form	8-K	filed	with	the	SEC	on	January	29,	2020,	for	additional	information	
regarding	our	non-GAAP	measures.

Refer	to	our	2019	Annual	Report	on	Form	10-K,	available	both	within	this	document	and	at	www.conmed.com,	as	well	as	our	Form	8-K	filed	with	the	SEC	on	January	29,	2020,	for	additional	information	
regarding	our	non-GAAP	measures.

Refer	to	our	2019	Annual	Report	on	Form	10-K,	available	both	within	this	document	and	at	www.conmed.com,	as	well	as	our	Form	8-K	filed	with	the	SEC	on	January	29,	2020,	for	additional	information	
regarding	our	non-GAAP	measures.

11.1%

11.7%

859.6

*	
*	

*	

*	

																						
																				
																												
														
																				
															
													
														
																	
																						
																												
																												
																
																				
															
																	
																
																	
																										
																												
																												
																				
																				
									
													
																
																	
																				
																												
														
												
															
											
														
																	
																						
																				
																												
														
																				
															
													
														
																	
																						
																												
																												
																
																				
															
																	
																
																	
																										
																												
																												
																				
																				
									
													
																
																	
																				
																												
														
												
															
											
														
																	
																						
																				
																												
														
																				
															
													
														
																	
																						
																												
																												
																
																				
															
																	
																
																	
																										
																												
																												
																				
																				
									
													
																
																	
																				
																												
														
												
															
											
														
																	
																						
																				
																												
														
																				
															
													
														
																	
																						
																												
																												
																
																				
															
																	
																
																	
																										
																												
																												
																				
																				
									
													
																
																	
																				
																												
														
												
															
											
														
																	
																						
																				
																												
														
																				
															
													
														
																	
																						
																												
																												
																
																				
															
																	
																
																	
																										
																												
																												
																				
																				
									
													
																
																	
																				
																												
														
												
															
											
														
																	
																						
																				
																												
														
																				
															
													
														
																	
																						
																												
																												
																
																				
															
																	
																
																	
																										
																												
																												
																				
																				
									
													
																
																	
																				
																												
														
												
															
											
														
																	
																						
																				
																												
														
																				
															
													
														
																	
																						
																												
																												
																
																				
															
																	
																
																	
																										
																												
																												
																				
																				
									
													
																
																	
																				
																												
														
												
															
											
														
																	
United States 
Securities and Exchange Commission 
Washington, D.C. 20549 

Form 10-K 

   Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of   1934 

or 
   Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of   1934 

For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2019 Commission file number: 0-16093 

CONMED CORPORATION 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 

New York 
(State or other jurisdiction of 
incorporation or organization) 

525 French Road 

Utica,  New York 

(Address of principal executive 
offices) 

16-0977505
(I.R.S. Employer Identification 
No.) 

13502 
(Zip Code) 

(315) 797-8375
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code) 

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

Title of each class 

Trading Symbol 

Name of each exchange on 
which registered 

Common Stock, $0.01 par value 

CNMD 

NYSE 

Yes 

Yes 

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

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

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

No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes  

     No 

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

Large accelerated filer 

 Accelerated filer 

 Non-accelerated filer 

 Smaller reporting company 

 Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for 

complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 

Yes 

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

As of June 28, 2019, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of 
the shares of voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $2,420,684,853 based upon the closing price of the 
Company’s common stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market. 

The number of shares of the registrant's $0.01 par value common stock outstanding as of February 19, 2020 was 28,492,005. 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: 

Portions of the Definitive Proxy Statement and any other informational filings for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated 

by reference into Part III of this report. 

CONMED CORPORATION
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FOR YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 1B.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.

Business
Risk Factors
Unresolved Staff Comments
Properties
Legal Proceedings
Mine Safety Disclosures

Part I

Part II

Item 5.

Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder

Item 6.
Item 7.

Item 7A.
Item 8.
Item 9.

Item 9A.
Item 9B.

Item 10.
Item 11.
Item 12.

Item 13.
Item 14.

Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Selected Financial Data
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial

Condition and Results of Operations

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on

Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Controls and Procedures
Other Information

Part III

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Executive Compensation
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and

Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Principal Accounting Fees and Services

Item 15.

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

Signatures

Item 16.

Form 10-K Summary

Part IV

1

Page

2
7
16
17
17
17

18
20

21
 28
28

28
28
29

30
30

30
31
31

32

33

77

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONMED CORPORATION

 Item 1.  Business

Forward Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2019 (“Form 10-K”) contains certain forward-
looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) and information relating to 
CONMED Corporation (“CONMED”, the “Company”, “we” or “us” — references to “CONMED”, the “Company”, “we” or 
“us” shall be deemed to include our direct and indirect subsidiaries unless the context otherwise requires) which are based on 
the beliefs of our management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to our management.

When used in this Form 10-K, the words “estimate”, “project”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect” and similar 
expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties 
and other factors, including those identified under the caption “Item 1A-Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Form 10-K which 
may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, 
performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Such factors include, among others, the 
following:

• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 

• 
• 
• 

general economic and business conditions;
compliance with and changes in regulatory requirements;
environmental compliance risks, including lack of availability of sterilization with Ethylene Oxide (“EtO”); 
the possibility that United States or foreign regulatory and/or administrative agencies may initiate enforcement actions 
against us or our distributors;
competition;
changes in customer preferences;
changes in technology;
the introduction and acceptance of new products;
the availability and cost of materials;
cyclical customer purchasing patterns due to budgetary and other constraints;
quality of our management and business abilities and the judgment of our personnel;
the availability, terms and deployment of capital;
future levels of indebtedness and capital spending;
changes in foreign exchange and interest rates;
the ability to evaluate, finance and integrate acquired businesses, products and companies;
changes in business strategy;
the risk of an information security breach, including a cybersecurity breach;
the risk of a lack of allograft tissues due to reduced donations of such tissues or due to tissues not meeting the appropriate 
high standards for screening and/or processing of such tissues; 
the ability to defend and enforce intellectual property, including the risks related to theft or compromise of intellectual 
property in connection with our international operations;
the risk of patent, product and other litigation as well as the cost associated with such litigation;
trade protection measures, tariffs and other border taxes, and import or export licensing requirements; and
various other factors referenced in this Form 10-K.

See “Item 7-Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, “Item 1-Business” 
and “Item 1A-Risk Factors” for a further discussion of these factors.  You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these 
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.  We do not undertake any obligation to publicly release any 
revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Form 10-K or to reflect the 
occurrence of unanticipated events.

General

CONMED Corporation was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York in 1970.  CONMED is a medical 
technology company that provides surgical devices and equipment for minimally invasive procedures.  The Company’s products 
are used by surgeons and physicians in a variety of specialties including orthopedics, general surgery, gynecology, neurosurgery, 
thoracic surgery and gastroenterology.  Headquartered in Utica, New York, the Company’s 3,300 employees distribute its products 
worldwide from three primary manufacturing locations.  

2

 
 
 
 
 
We have historically used strategic business acquisitions, internal product development and distribution relationships to 
diversify our product offerings, increase our market share in certain product lines, realize economies of scale and take advantage 
of growth opportunities in the healthcare field. 

We are committed to offering products with the highest standards of quality, technological excellence and customer 
service.  Substantially all of our facilities have attained certification under the ISO international quality standards and other domestic 
and international quality accreditations.

Our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those 
reports are accessible free of charge through the Investor Relations section of our website (http://www.conmed.com) as soon as 
practicable after such materials have been electronically filed with, or furnished to, the United States Securities and Exchange 
Commission (the "SEC").  In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet site (http:/www.sec.gov) containing reports, proxy and 
information statements and other information regarding issuers that file with the SEC.

Business Strategy

CONMED's vision is to empower healthcare providers worldwide to deliver exceptional outcomes for patients through 

the following initiatives: 

• 

Introduction  of  New  Products  and  Product  Enhancements.  We  pursue  organic  growth  through  developing  new 
products  and  enhancing  existing  products.  We  seek  to  develop  new  technologies  which  improve  the  durability, 
performance and usability of existing products.  In addition to our internal research and development efforts, we receive 
new ideas for products and technologies, particularly in procedure-specific areas, from surgeons, inventors and other 
healthcare professionals.

•  Pursue Strategic Acquisitions.  We pursue strategic acquisitions, distribution and similar arrangements in existing and 
new  growth  markets 
increased  operating  efficiencies,  geographic  diversification  and  market 
penetration.  Targeted companies have historically included those with proven technologies and established brand names 
which provide potential sales, marketing and manufacturing synergies.  This includes the February 11, 2019 acquisition 
of Buffalo Filter.

to  achieve 

•  Realize Manufacturing and Operating Efficiencies.  We continually review our production systems for opportunities 
to reduce operating costs, consolidate product lines or process flows, reduce inventory and optimize existing processes.  

•  Geographic Diversification.  We believe that significant growth opportunities exist for our surgical products outside 
the United States.  Principal international markets for our products include Europe, Latin America, Canada and Asia/
Pacific Rim.  

•  Active Participation in the Medical Community.  We believe that excellent working relationships with physicians and 
others  in  the  medical  industry  enable  us  to  gain  an  understanding  of  trends  and  emerging  opportunities.  Active 
participation allows us to quickly respond to the changing needs of physicians and patients.  In addition, we are an active 
sponsor  of  medical education both in  the United States  and internationally,  offering training on  new  and innovative 
surgical techniques as well as other medical education materials for use with our products.

Products 

The following table sets forth the percentage of net sales for each of our product lines during each of the three years 

ended December 31:

Orthopedic surgery
General surgery

Consolidated net sales

Net sales (in thousands)

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2019

2017

49%
51
100%

52%
48
100%

54%
46
100%

$

955,097

$

859,634

$

796,392

3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Orthopedic Surgery

Our orthopedic surgery product offering includes sports medicine, powered surgical instruments, and sports biologics 
and tissue.  These products are marketed under a number of brands, including Hall®, CONMED Linvatec®, Concept® and Shutt®.  
In 2019, approximately 71% of orthopedic surgery revenue came from single-use products that are expected to be recurring.

We offer a comprehensive range of products to repair injuries in the articulating joint areas of the body.  Many of these 
injuries  are  the  result  of  sports  related  events  or  similar  traumas.  Our  sports  medicine  products  include  powered  resection 
instruments, arthroscopes, reconstructive systems, tissue repair sets, metal and bioabsorbable implants as well as related disposable 
products and fluid management systems.  It is our standard practice to place some of these products, such as shaver consoles and 
fluid pumps, with certain customers at no charge in exchange for commitments to purchase disposable products over certain time 
periods.  We loan this capital equipment, and it is subject to return if the customer does not meet certain minimum single-use 
purchases.  Single-use products include products such as shaver blades, burs and pump tubing.  In sports medicine, we compete 
with Smith & Nephew, plc; Arthrex, Inc.; Stryker Corporation; Johnson & Johnson: DePuy Mitek, Inc. and Zimmer Biomet, Inc.

Our powered instruments offering is sold principally under the Hall® Surgical brand name, for use in large and small 
bone orthopedic, arthroscopic, oral/maxillofacial, podiatric, spinal and cardiothoracic surgeries.  Our newest product is the Hall 
50™ Powered Instrument System.  The modularity and versatility of the Hall 50™ Powered Instrument System allows a facility 
to purchase a single power system to perform total joint arthroplasty, trauma, arthroscopy and some small bone procedures.  In 
powered instruments, our competition includes Stryker Corporation; Medtronic plc; Johnson & Johnson: DePuy Synthes, Inc.; 
and Zimmer Biomet, Inc.

Our surgical visualization products offer imaging systems for use in minimally invasive orthopedic and general surgery 
procedures including 2DHD and 3DHD vision technologies.  In surgical visualization, our competition includes Smith & Nephew, 
plc; Arthrex, Inc.; Stryker Corporation; Olympus, Inc.; Richard Wolf and Karl Storz GmbH.

The Company is party to an agreement with Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation (“MTF”) for the exclusive worldwide 
sales  representation,  marketing  and  promotion  of  MTF's  allograft  tissues  in  the  field  of  sports  medicine  and  related  areas  to 
customers through our sales force and marketing. The allograft tissues supplied by MTF under this agreement are used in the 
reconstruction and/or replacement of tendon, ligament, cartilage or menisci, along with the correction of deformities within the 
extremities. 

General Surgery

Our general surgery product line offers a large range of products in the areas of advanced surgical, endoscopic technologies 
and critical care.  In 2019, approximately 87% of general surgery revenue came from single-use products that are expected to be 
recurring.

Our advanced surgical product offering includes the leading clinical insufflation system (AirSeal®), an extensive energy 
line and a broad offering of endomechanical products.  AirSeal® includes proprietary valveless access ports to deliver significant 
benefits to traditional minimally invasive surgery and robotic surgery.  The electrosurgical offering consists of monopolar and 
bipolar generators, Argon beam coagulation generators, handpieces, smoke management systems and other accessories.  Our 
endomechanical products offer a full line of instruments, including tissue retrieval bags, trocars, suction irrigation devices, graspers, 
scissors and dissectors, used in minimally invasive surgery.  Our competition includes Medtronic plc; Johnson & Johnson: Ethicon 
Endo-Surgery, Inc.; Stryker Endoscopy, Olympus, ERBE Elektromedizin GmbH; and Applied Medical Resources Corporation.

Our  endoscopic  technologies  offering  includes  a  comprehensive  line  of  diagnostic  and  therapeutic  products  used  in 
gastroenterology  procedures  which  utilize  flexible  endoscopes.    This  offering  includes  forceps,  snares,  infection  prevention 
accessories, and devices for  dilatation, stricture management, hemostasis and for the treatment of diseases of the biliary structures.  
Our competition includes Boston Scientific Corporation - Endoscopy; Cook Medical, Inc.; Merit Medical Endotek; Olympus, 
Inc.; STERIS Corporation - U.S. Endoscopy and Cantel Medical- Medivators, Inc.

Our cardiology and critical care offering includes a line of vital signs, cardiac monitoring and patient care products 
including ECG electrodes & accessories, cardiac defibrillation & pacing pads and a complete line of suction instruments and 
tubing. Finally, we offer a physician's office electrosurgical product mainly used by dermatologists.  Cardiology and critical care's 
main competition includes Cardinal and 3M Company.

4

 
 
 
 
International

Expanding our international presence is an important component of our long-term growth plan.  Our products are sold 
in over 100 foreign countries.  International sales efforts are coordinated through local country dealers (including sub-distributors 
or sales agents) or through direct in-country sales.  We distribute our products through sales subsidiaries and branches with offices 
located  in Australia, Austria,  Belgium,  Brazil,  Canada,  China,  Denmark,  Finland,  France,  Germany,  Italy,  Japan,  Korea,  the 
Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.  In these countries, our sales are denominated in the local currency 
and amounted to approximately 33% of our total net sales in 2019.  In the remaining countries where our products are sold through 
independent distributors, sales are denominated in United States dollars.  

Competition

We compete in orthopedic and general surgery medical device markets across the world.  Our competitors range from 
large manufacturers with multiple business units to smaller manufacturers with limited product offerings.  We believe we have 
appropriate product offerings and adequate market share to compete effectively in these markets.  The global markets are constantly 
changing due to technological advances.  We seek to closely align our research and development with our key business objectives, 
namely developing and improving products and processes, applying innovative technology to the manufacture of products for 
new global markets and reducing the cost of producing core products.  

The breadth of our product lines in our key product areas enables us to meet a wide range of customer requirements and 
preferences.  This  has  enhanced  our  ability  to  market  our  products  to  surgeons,  hospitals,  surgery  centers,  group  purchasing 
organizations ("GPOs"), integrated delivery networks ("IDNs") and other customers, particularly as institutions seek to reduce 
costs and minimize the number of suppliers.

Marketing

A significant portion of our products are distributed domestically directly to more than 6,000 hospitals, surgery centers 
and other healthcare institutions as well as through medical specialty distributors.  We are not dependent on any single customer 
and no single customer accounted for more than 10% of our net sales in 2019, 2018 and 2017.

A significant portion of our U.S. sales are to customers affiliated with GPOs, IDNs and other large national or regional 
accounts, as well as to the Veterans Administration and other hospitals operated by the Federal government.  For hospital inventory 
management purposes, some of our customers prefer to purchase our products through independent third-party medical product 
distributors.

Our  employee  sales  representatives  are  extensively  trained  in  our  various  product  offerings.    Each  employee  sales 
representative is assigned a defined geographic area and compensated on a commission basis or through a combination of salary 
and commission.  The sales force is supervised and supported by either area directors or district managers.  In certain geographies, 
sales agent groups are used in the United States to sell our orthopedic products.  These sales agent groups are paid a commission 
for sales made to customers while home office sales and marketing management provide the overall direction and training for 
marketing and positioning of our products.  Our sales professionals provide surgeons and medical personnel with information 
relating to the technical features and benefits of our products.

Our healthcare systems organization is responsible for interacting with large regional and national accounts (e.g. GPOs, 
IDNs, etc.).  We have contracts with many such organizations and believe that the loss of any individual group purchasing contract 
would not materially impact our business.

We sell to a diversified base of customers around the world and, therefore, believe there is no material concentration of 

credit risk.

Manufacturing

Raw material costs constitute a substantial portion of our cost of production.  Substantially all of our raw materials and 
select components used in the manufacturing process are procured from external suppliers.  We work closely with multiple suppliers 
to ensure continuity of supply while maintaining high quality and reliability.  As a consequence of supply chain best practices, 
new product development and acquisitions, we often form strategic partnerships with key suppliers.  As a result, components and 
raw materials may be sole sourced.  Due to the strength of these suppliers and the variety of products we provide, we do not believe 
the risk of supplier interruption poses an overall material adverse effect on our financial and operational performance.  We schedule 
production and maintain adequate levels of safety stock based on a number of factors, including experience, knowledge of customer 
5

 
ordering patterns, demand, manufacturing lead times and optimal quantities required to maintain the highest possible service 
levels.  Customer orders are generally processed for immediate shipment and backlog of firm orders is therefore not generally 
material to an understanding of our business. 

Research and Development

New and improved products play a critical role in our continued sales growth.  Internal research and development efforts 
focus on the development of new products and product technological and design improvements aimed at complementing and 
expanding existing product lines.  We continually seek to leverage new technologies which improve the durability, performance 
and usability of existing products.  In addition, we maintain close working relationships with surgeons, inventors and operating 
room personnel who often make new product and technology disclosures, principally in procedure-specific areas.  In certain cases, 
we  seek  to  obtain  rights  to  these  ideas  through  negotiated  agreements.  Such  agreements  typically  compensate  the  originator 
through payments based upon a percentage of licensed product net sales.  Annual royalty expense approximated $2.0 million, $1.5 
million and $1.8 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Amounts expended for Company research and development were approximately $45.5 million, $42.2 million and $32.3 

million during 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. 

Intellectual Property

Patents and other proprietary rights, in general, are important to our business.  We have rights to intellectual property, 
including United States patents and foreign equivalent patents which cover a wide range of our products.  We own a majority of 
these patents and have exclusive and non-exclusive licensing rights to the remainder.  We believe that the development of new 
products and technological and design improvements to existing products will continue to be important to our competitive position.

Government Regulation and Quality Systems

The development, manufacture, sale and distribution of our products are subject to regulation by numerous agencies and 
legislative bodies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") and comparable foreign counterparts.  In the United 
States, these regulations were enacted under the Medical Device Amendments of 1976 to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic 
Act and its subsequent amendments, and the regulations issued or proposed thereunder.  

The  FDA’s  Quality  System  Regulations  set  forth  requirements  for  our  product  design  and  manufacturing  processes, 
require the maintenance of certain records, provide for on-site inspection of our facilities and continuing review by the FDA.  Many 
of our products are also subject to industry-defined standards.  Authorization to commercially market our products in the U.S. is 
granted by the FDA under a procedure referred to as a 510(k) pre-market notification and clearance.  We believe that our products 
and processes presently meet applicable standards in all material respects.

Medical device regulations continue to evolve world-wide.  Products marketed in the European Union and other countries 
require preparation of technical files and design dossiers which demonstrate compliance with applicable international regulations.  
As government regulations continue to change, there is a risk that the distribution of some of our products may be interrupted or 
discontinued if they do not meet the country specific requirements.

We market our products in numerous foreign countries and therefore are subject to regulations affecting, among other 
things,  product  standards,  sterilization,  packaging  requirements,  labeling  requirements,  import  laws  and  onsite  inspection  by 
independent bodies with the authority to issue or not issue certifications we may require to be able to sell products in certain 
countries.  Many of the regulations applicable to our devices and products in these countries are similar to those of the FDA.  The 
member countries of the European Union have adopted the European Medical Device Directives, which create a single set of 
medical device regulations for all member countries.  These regulations require companies that wish to manufacture and distribute 
medical devices in the European Union to maintain quality system certifications through European Union recognized Notified 
Bodies.  These Notified Bodies authorize the use of the CE Mark allowing free movement of our products throughout the member 
countries.  Requirements pertaining to our products vary widely from country to country, ranging from simple product registrations 
to detailed submissions such as those required by the FDA.  We believe that our products and quality procedures currently meet 
applicable standards for the countries in which they are marketed.

As noted above, our facilities are subject to periodic inspection by the United States Food and Drug Administration 
(“FDA”) and foreign regulatory agencies or notified bodies for, among other things, conformance to Quality System Regulation 
and Current Good Manufacturing Practice (“CGMP”) requirements and foreign or international standards.  Refer to Note 13 for 
further discussion. 

6

 
We  are  also  subject  to  various  environmental  health  and  safety  laws  and  regulations  both  in  the  United  States  and 
internationally, as are our suppliers and sterilization service providers. Our operations involve the use of substances regulated 
under environmental laws, primarily in manufacturing and sterilization processes. We believe our policies, practices and procedures 
are properly designed to comply, in all material respects, with applicable environmental laws and regulations. We do not expect 
internal compliance with these requirements to have a material effect on purchases of property, plant and equipment, cash flows, 
net income or our competitive position.  Refer to Item 1A, Risk Factors, for further discussion of the use of outside EtO sterilization 
service providers.

Employees

As of December 31, 2019, we had approximately 3,300 full-time employees, including approximately 2,100 in operations, 
180 in research and development and the remaining in sales, marketing and related administrative support.  We believe that we 
have good relations with our employees and have never experienced a strike or similar work stoppage.  None of our domestic 
employees are represented by a labor union.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

An investment in our securities, including our common stock, involves a high degree of risk.  Investors should carefully 
consider the specific factors set forth below as well as the other information included or incorporated by reference in this Form 
10-K. See “Forward Looking Statements”.

(i)  Risks Related to Our Business and the Medical Device Industry

Our financial performance is dependent on conditions in the healthcare industry and the broader economy.

The results of our business are directly tied to the economic conditions in the healthcare industry and the broader economy as a 
whole.  We will continue to monitor and manage the impact of the overall economic environment on the Company.  

In this regard, approximately 21% of our revenues are derived from the sale of capital products.  The sales of such products may 
be negatively impacted if hospitals and other healthcare providers are unable to secure the financing necessary to purchase these 
products or otherwise defer purchases.

In addition, some of our products and components are sourced from countries impacted by the Coronavirus. If we cannot source 
these products, our revenues may be affected.

Our financial performance may be adversely impacted by healthcare reform legislation.

Provisions of healthcare legislation, including provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ("ACA") in the United 
States, and similar attempts to reform or manage health care costs in other markets, could meaningfully change the way health 
care is developed and delivered and may adversely affect our business and results of operations.  For example, the ACA includes 
provisions  aimed  at  improving  quality  and  decreasing  costs  of  Medicare,  governing  comparative  effectiveness  research,  and 
implementing an independent payment advisory board and pilot programs to evaluate alternative payment methodologies.  That 
legislation also included a 2.3% excise tax imposed upon sales within the U.S. of certain medical device products, which was 
repealed in 2019.  We also face uncertainties that might result in the modification or repeal of health care laws or reimbursement 
in the United States and other markets.  The uncertainty associated with modifications or a repeal could generally cause healthcare 
markets to be unstable and we could be subject to some interruptions, the magnitude of which are impossible to determine. 

Limitations on the availability of Ethylene Oxide (“EtO”) sterilization services may limit our ability to sell certain sterile 
products. 

Approximately 30% of our products when measured in terms of revenues, are sterilized by third-party sterilizers using ethylene 
oxide, a chemical which, when present or used in high levels of concentrations, has raised some environmental concerns in some 
areas within the United States, with the result that some EtO sterilization facilities have closed either temporarily or permanently 
in connection with government enforcement actions prompted by environmental concerns.  We have been able to work to secure 
 alternate EtO sterilization services to date, and do not currently expect sterilization availability to have a material impact on our 
business.  If, however, there are further restrictions on capacity or further government actions adverse to EtO sterilization, it is 
possible that we could be impacted materially in the future. 

7

 
 
 
 
 
As a manufacturer of medical devices that interacts with physicians and health care providers domestically and internationally, 
we face risks under domestic and foreign regulations, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Manufacturers of medical devices have been the subject of various investigations or enforcement actions relating to interactions 
with health care providers domestically or internationally.  The interactions with domestic health care providers are subject to 
regulations, known as the Anti-Kickback Statute, the Stark Act and the False Claims Act, that generally govern incentives for 
health care providers, or methods of reimbursement funded in whole or in part by the government.  Similarly, the Foreign Corrupt 
Practices Act (“FCPA”) prohibits certain conduct by manufacturers, generally described as bribery, with respect to interactions, 
either directly through foreign subsidiaries or indirectly through distributors, with health care providers who may be considered 
government officials because they are affiliated with public hospitals.  The FCPA also imposes obligations on manufacturers listed 
on U.S. stock exchanges to maintain accurate books and records, and maintain internal accounting controls sufficient to provide 
assurance that transactions are accurately recorded, lawful and in accordance with management’s authorization.  The FCPA can 
pose unique challenges for manufacturers who operate in foreign cultures where conduct prohibited by the FCPA may not be 
viewed as illegal in local jurisdictions, and because, in some cases, a United States manufacturer may face risks under the FCPA 
based on the conduct of third parties over whom the manufacturer may not have complete control.  

In this regard, from time to time, the Company may receive an information request or subpoena from a government agency, such 
as  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission,  Department  of  Justice,  Equal  Employment  Opportunity  Commission,  the 
Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Department of Labor, the Treasury Department or other federal and state 
agencies or foreign governments or government agencies.  Alternatively, employees or private parties may provide us with reports 
of alleged misconduct.  These information requests or subpoenas may or may not be routine inquiries, or may begin as informal 
or routine inquiries and over time develop into investigations or enforcement actions of various types under the FCPA or otherwise.  
Similarly, the employee and third party reports may prompt us to conduct internal investigations into the alleged misconduct.  As 
a  medical  device  company,  CONMED’s  operations  and  interactions  with  government  hospitals,  healthcare  professionals  and 
purchasers may be subject to various federal and state regulations, including the federal False Claims Act, which provides, in part, 
that the federal government may bring a lawsuit against any person or entity that it believes has knowingly presented, or caused 
to be presented, a false or fraudulent request for payment to the government, or has made or used, or caused to be made or used, 
a false statement or false record material to a false claim. In addition, in certain circumstances, private parties may bring so-called 
Qui Tam claims as plaintiffs purportedly on behalf of the government asserting claims arising under the False Claims Act.   A 
violation of the False Claims Act may result in fines up to $11,000 for each false claim, plus up to three times the amount of 
damages sustained by the government, and may also provide the basis for the imposition of administrative penalties and exclusion 
from participation in federal healthcare programs.  Many states have enacted false claims acts that are similar to the federal False 
Claims Act.  No inquiry or claim that the Company currently faces or has faced to date, and no report of misconduct that the 
Company has received to date, has had a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.  
There can be no assurance, however, that any pending inquiries will not become investigations or enforcement actions, or the costs 
associated with responding to such inquiries, investigations, enforcement actions or investigations relating to reports of misconduct 
will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Failure to comply with regulatory requirements may result in recalls, loss of revenues, fines or materially adverse implications.

Substantially all of our products are classified as class II medical devices subject to regulation by numerous agencies and legislative 
bodies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") and comparable international counterparts.  As a manufacturer 
of medical devices, our manufacturing processes and facilities are subject to on-site inspection and continuing review by the FDA 
for compliance with the Quality System Regulations.  We may have future inspections at our sites and there can be no assurance 
that the costs of responding to such inspections will not be material. 

Manufacturing and sales of our products outside the United States are also subject to international regulatory requirements which 
vary from country to country.  Moreover, we are generally required to obtain regulatory clearance or approval prior to marketing 
a new product.  The time required to obtain approvals from foreign countries may be longer or shorter than that required for FDA 
clearance, and requirements for such approvals may differ from FDA requirements.  Failure to comply with applicable domestic 
and/or foreign regulatory requirements may result in:

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

fines or other enforcement actions;
recall or seizure of products;
total or partial suspension of production;
loss of certification;
withdrawal of existing product approvals or clearances;
refusal to approve or clear new applications or notices;
increased quality control costs; or

8

 
• 

criminal prosecution.

In addition to the Quality System Regulations, many of our products are also subject to industry-defined standards.  We may not 
be able to comply with these regulations and standards due to deficiencies in component parts or our manufacturing processes.  If 
we are not able to comply with the Quality System Regulations or industry-defined standards, we may not be able to fill customer 
orders and we may decide to cease production or sale of non-compliant products.  Failure to produce products could affect our 
revenues, profit margins and could lead to loss of customers.

Our products are subject to product recall and we have conducted product recalls in the past.  Although no recall has had a material 
adverse effect on our business or financial condition, we cannot assure you that regulatory issues will not have a material adverse 
effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations in the future or that product recalls will not harm our reputation 
and our customer relationships.

The highly competitive market for our products may create adverse pricing pressures.

The market for our products is highly competitive and our customers have numerous alternatives of supply.  Many of our competitors 
offer a range of products in areas other than those in which we compete, which may make such competitors more attractive to 
surgeons,  hospitals,  group  purchasing  organizations  and  others.  In  addition,  many  of  our  competitors  are  large,  technically 
competent firms with substantial assets.  Competitive pricing pressures or the introduction of new products by our competitors 
could have an adverse effect on our revenues.  See “Products” in Item 1 - Business for a further discussion of these competitive 
forces.

Factors which may influence our customers’ choice of competitor products include:

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

changes in surgeon preferences;
increases or decreases in healthcare spending related to medical devices;
our inability to supply products to them as a result of product recall, market withdrawal or back-order;
the introduction by competitors of new products or new features to existing products;
the introduction by competitors of alternative surgical technology; and
advances in surgical procedures, discoveries or developments in the healthcare industry.

Cost reduction efforts in the healthcare industry could put pressures on our prices and margins.

In recent years, the healthcare industry has undergone significant change driven by various efforts to reduce costs.  Such efforts 
include national healthcare reform, trends towards managed care, cuts in Medicare reimbursement for procedures, consolidation 
of healthcare distribution companies and collective purchasing arrangements by GPOs and IDNs.  Demand and prices for our 
products may be adversely affected by such trends.

We use a variety of raw materials in our businesses, and significant shortages or price increases could increase our 
operating costs and adversely impact the competitive positions of our products.

Our reliance on certain suppliers and commodity markets to secure raw materials used in our products exposes us to volatility in 
the prices and availability of raw materials.  In some instances, we participate in commodity markets that may be subject to 
allocations by suppliers.  A disruption in deliveries from our suppliers, price increases or decreased availability of raw materials 
or commodities could have an adverse effect on our ability to meet our commitments to customers or increase our operating costs.  
We believe that our supply management practices are based on an appropriate balancing of the foreseeable risks and the costs of 
alternative practices.  Nonetheless, price increases or the unavailability of some raw materials may have an adverse effect on our 
results of operations or financial condition.

We may not be able to keep pace with technological change or to successfully develop new products with wide market acceptance, 
which could cause us to lose business to competitors.

The market for our products is characterized by rapidly changing technology.  Our future financial performance will depend in 
part on our ability to develop and manufacture new products on a cost-effective basis, to introduce them to the market on a timely 
basis and to have them accepted by surgeons.

We may not be able to keep pace with technology or to develop viable new products.  In addition, many of our competitors are 
substantially larger with greater financial resources which may allow them to more rapidly develop new products.  Factors which 
may result in delays of new product introductions or cancellation of our plans to manufacture and market new products include:
9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
• 
• 
• 
• 

capital constraints;
research and development delays;
delays in securing regulatory approvals; and
changes  in  the  competitive landscape,  including  the  emergence  of  alternative  products  or  solutions  which  reduce  or 
eliminate the markets for pending products.

Ordering patterns of our customers may change resulting in reductions in sales.

Our hospital and surgery center customers purchase our products in quantities sufficient to meet their anticipated demand.  Likewise, 
our healthcare distributor customers purchase our products for ultimate resale to healthcare providers in quantities sufficient to 
meet the anticipated requirements of the distributors’ customers.  Should inventories of our products owned by our hospital, surgery 
center and distributor customers grow to levels higher than their requirements, our customers may reduce the ordering of products 
from us.  This could result in reduced sales during a financial accounting period.

(ii) Risks Related to Our Indebtedness

The terms of our indebtedness outstanding from time to time, including our senior credit agreement, may restrict our 
current and future operations, particularly our ability to respond to changes or to take certain actions.

The senior credit agreement contains, and future credit facilities are expected to contain, a number of restrictive covenants that 
impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us and may limit our ability to respond to changes in our business or 
competitive activities, or to otherwise engage in acts that may be in our long-term best interest, including restrictions on our ability 
to:

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

incur indebtedness;
allow for liens to be placed on our assets;
make investments;
engage in transactions with affiliates;
make certain restricted payments;
enter into certain restrictive agreements;
enter into certain swap agreements;
change our line of business;
pay dividends or make other distributions on, or redeem or repurchase, capital stock;
consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets; 
prepay and/or modify the terms of certain indebtedness; and
pursue acquisitions.

These  covenants,  unless  waived,  may  prevent  us  from  pursuing  acquisitions,  significantly  limit  our  operating  and  financial 
flexibility and limit our ability to respond to changes in our business or competitive activities.  Our ability to comply with such 
provisions  may  be  affected  by  events  beyond  our  control.  In  the  event  of  any  default  under  our  credit  agreement,  the  credit 
agreement lenders may elect to declare all amounts borrowed under our credit agreement, together with accrued interest, to be 
due and payable.  If we were unable to repay such borrowings, the credit agreement lenders could proceed against collateral 
securing the credit agreement which consists of substantially all of our property and assets.  Our credit agreement also contains a 
material adverse effect clause which may limit our ability to access additional funding under our credit agreement should a material 
adverse change in our business occur.

We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service our indebtedness, and, our leverage and debt service requirements 
may require us to adopt alternative business strategies.

As of December 31, 2019, we had $820.1 million of debt outstanding, representing 53% of total capitalization.  We may not have 
sufficient cash flow available to enable us to meet our obligations.  If we are unable to service our indebtedness, we will be forced 
to adopt an alternative strategy that may include actions such as foregoing acquisitions, reducing or delaying capital expenditures, 
selling assets, restructuring or refinancing our indebtedness or seeking additional equity capital.  We cannot assure you that any 
of these strategies could be implemented on terms acceptable to us, if at all.  See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of 
Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources” and Note 7.

10

 
 
The degree to which we are leveraged could have important consequences to investors, including but not limited to the following:

• 

• 

• 
• 
• 

• 

a portion of our cash flow from operations must be dedicated to debt service and will not be available for operations, 
capital expenditures, acquisitions, dividends and other purposes;
our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or general 
corporate purposes may be limited or impaired or may be at higher interest rates;
we may be at a competitive disadvantage when compared to competitors that are less leveraged;
we may be hindered in our ability to adjust rapidly to market conditions;
our degree of leverage could make us more vulnerable in the event of a downturn in general economic conditions or other 
adverse circumstances applicable to us; and
our interest expense could increase if interest rates in general increase because a portion of our borrowings, including 
our borrowings under our credit agreement, are and will continue to be at variable rates of interest.

Our variable rate indebtedness subjects us to interest rate risk, which could cause our debt service obligations to increase 
significantly. 

Borrowings under our senior credit agreement are at variable rates of interest and expose us to interest rate risk. If interest rates 
were to increase, our debt service obligations on the variable rate indebtedness would increase even though the amount borrowed 
remained the same, and our net income and cash flows, including cash available for servicing our indebtedness, will correspondingly 
decrease. In the future, we may enter into interest rate swaps that involve the exchange of floating for fixed rate interest payments 
in order to reduce interest rate volatility.  However, we may not maintain interest rate swaps with respect to all of our variable rate 
indebtedness, and any swaps we enter into may not fully mitigate our interest rate risk. 

Our interest rates may be impacted by the phase out of LIBOR.

LIBOR, the London Interbank Offered Rate, is the basic rate of interest used in lending transactions between banks on the London 
interbank market and is widely used as a reference for setting the interest rate on loans globally.  Certain of the interest rates 
applicable to our sixth amended and restated senior credit agreement are calculated using LIBOR.  On July 27, 2017, the United 
Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it intends to phase out LIBOR by the end of 
2021. It is unclear if at that time LIBOR will cease to exist or if new methods of calculating LIBOR will be established such that 
it continues to exist after 2021.  If LIBOR ceases to exist, then any existing LIBOR-based loans outstanding under our sixth 
amended and restated credit agreement will become alternative base rate loans (as defined in Note 7) until an alternative rate of 
interest is determined.  This alternative rate will require an amendment to the sixth amended and restated senior credit agreement, 
and may result in exposure to additional interest rate risk.

Despite our current level of indebtedness, we and our subsidiaries may still be able to incur substantially more debt.  This 
could further exacerbate the risks to our financial condition described above.

We may incur substantial additional indebtedness, including secured indebtedness. As of December 31, 2019, we have $362.5 
million of availability under the senior credit agreement.  If we incur secured indebtedness and such secured indebtedness is 
either accelerated or becomes subject to a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization, our assets would be used to satisfy obligations 
with respect to the indebtedness secured thereby before any payment could be made on the debt that is not similarly secured.  If 
new debt or other liabilities are added to our current debt levels, the related risks that we now face could intensify.  Our senior 
credit agreement restricts our ability to incur additional indebtedness, including secured indebtedness, but if the facilities mature 
or are repaid, we may not be subject to such restrictions under the terms of any subsequent indebtedness.

The conditional conversion features of our 2.625% Convertible Notes due 2024 (the “Convertible Notes”), if triggered, may 
adversely affect our financial condition.    

In the event the conditional conversion features of the Convertible Notes issued on January 29, 2019 are triggered, holders of the 
Convertible Notes will be entitled to convert the Convertible Notes at any time during specified periods at their option.  If one or 
more holders elect to convert their Convertible Notes, unless we elect to satisfy our conversion obligation by delivering solely 
shares of our common stock, we would be required to make cash payments to satisfy all or a portion of our conversion obligation 
based on the conversion rate, which could adversely affect our liquidity.  In addition, even if holders do not elect to convert their 
Convertible Notes, we could be required under applicable accounting rules to reclassify all or a portion of the outstanding principal 
of the Convertible Notes as a current rather than long-term liability, which could result in a material reduction of our net working 
capital.  Refer to Item 7. Management and Discussion and Analysis - Financing Cash Flows and Note 7 for further details on the 
Convertible Notes.

11

 
 
 
The convertible notes hedge and warrant transactions that we entered into in connection with the offering of the Convertible 
Notes may affect the value of the Convertible Notes and our common stock.

In connection with the offering of the Convertible Notes, we entered into convertible notes hedge transactions with certain option 
counterparties (each an “option counterparty”).  The convertible notes hedge transactions are expected generally to reduce the 
potential dilution upon conversion of the Convertible Notes and/or offset any cash payments we are required to make in excess 
of the principal amount of converted Convertible Notes, as the case may be.  We also entered into warrant transactions with each 
option counterparty.  The warrant transactions could separately have a dilutive effect on our common stock to the extent that the 
market price per share of our common stock exceeds the strike price of the warrants, unless we elect to settle the warrants in 
cash.  In  connection  with  establishing  its  initial  hedge  of  the  convertible  notes  hedge  and  warrant  transactions,  each  option 
counterparty  or  an  affiliate  thereof  may  have  entered  into  various  derivative  transactions  with  respect  to  our  common  stock 
concurrently with or shortly after the pricing of the Convertible Notes.  This activity could increase (or reduce the size of any 
decrease in) the market price of our common stock or the Convertible Notes at that time.  In addition, each option counterparty 
or an affiliate thereof may modify its hedge position by entering into or unwinding various derivatives with respect to our common 
stock and/or purchasing or selling our common stock or other securities of ours in secondary market transactions prior to the 
maturity of the Convertible Notes (and is likely to do so during any observation period related to a conversion of the Convertible 
Notes).  This activity could also cause or avoid an increase or a decrease in the market price of our common stock or the Convertible 
Notes.  In addition, if any such convertible notes hedge and warrant transactions fail to become effective, each option counterparty 
may unwind its hedge position with respect to our common stock, which could adversely affect the value of our common stock 
and the value of the Convertible Notes.

We are subject to counterparty risk with respect to the convertible notes hedge transactions.

Each option counterparty to the convertible notes hedge transactions is a financial institution whose obligation to perform under 
the convertible notes hedge transaction will not be secured by any collateral.  If an option counterparty becomes subject to insolvency 
proceedings, we will become an unsecured creditor in those proceedings with a claim equal to our exposure at that time under our 
transactions with the option counterparty.  Our exposure will generally correlate to the increase in the market price and in the 
volatility of our common stock.  In addition, upon a default by an option counterparty, we may suffer adverse tax consequences 
and more dilution than we currently anticipate with respect to our common stock.  Although these counterparties are large, reputable 
U.S. financial institutions, we can provide no assurances as to the financial stability or viability of any option counterparty.

(iii) Risks Related to Our Acquisition Strategy

Our financial performance is subject to the risks inherent in any acquisition, including the effects of increased borrowing and 
integration of newly acquired businesses or product lines.

A key element of our business strategy has been to expand through acquisitions and we may seek to pursue additional acquisitions 
in the future.  Our success in pursuing acquisitions depends on our ability to identify target companies or product lines that are 
available for sale, and, negotiating successful terms with the sellers, as the sellers may also be negotiating with other bidders with 
greater financial resources than we have.  Even when we win a bid, our success is also dependent in part upon our ability to 
integrate acquired companies or product lines into our existing operations.  We may not have sufficient management and other 
resources to accomplish the integration of our past and future acquisitions, which may strain our relationship with customers, 
suppliers, distributors, personnel or others.  There can be no assurance that we will be able to identify and make acquisitions on 
acceptable terms or that we will be able to obtain financing for such acquisitions on acceptable terms.  In addition, while we are 
generally entitled to customary indemnification from sellers of businesses or coverage from representation and warranty insurance 
for any difficulties that may have arisen prior to our acquisition of each business, acquisitions may involve exposure to unknown 
liabilities and the amount and time for claiming under these indemnification provisions is often limited.  As a result, our financial 
performance is now, and will continue to be, subject to various risks associated with the acquisition of businesses, including the 
financial  effects  associated  with  any  increased  borrowing  required  to  fund  such  acquisitions  or  with  the  integration  of  such 
businesses. 

The terms of any future preferred equity or debt financing may give holders of any preferred securities or debt securities rights 
that are senior to rights of our common shareholders or impose more stringent operating restrictions on our company. 

Debt or equity financing may not be available to us on acceptable terms. If we incur additional debt or raise equity through the 
issuance of preferred stock or convertible securities, the terms of the debt or the preferred stock issued may give the holders rights, 
preferences and privileges senior to those of holders of our common stock, particularly in the event of liquidation. The terms of 
the debt may also impose additional and more stringent restrictions on our operations. If we raise funds through the issuance of 
additional equity, the ownership percentage of our existing shareholders would be diluted.

12

 
 
 
 
 
(iv)  Other Risks Related to Our Business

We could experience a failure of a key information technology system, process or site or a breach of information security, 
including a cybersecurity breach or failure of one or more key information technology systems, networks, processes, associated 
sites or service providers, and could potentially become liable for a breach of various data privacy regulations.

We rely extensively on information technology (“IT”) systems for the storage, processing, and transmission of our electronic, 
business-related, information assets used in or necessary to conduct business.  We leverage our internal IT infrastructures, and 
those of our business partners, to enable, sustain, and support our global business activities.  In addition, we rely on networks and 
services,  including  internet  sites,  data  hosting  and  processing  facilities  and  tools  and  other  hardware,  software  and  technical 
applications and platforms, some of which are managed, hosted, provided and/or used by third-parties or their vendors, to assist 
in conducting our business.  The data we store and process may include customer payment information, personal information 
concerning our employees, confidential financial information, and other types of sensitive business-related information.  In limited 
instances, we may also come into possession of information related to patients of our physician customers.  Numerous and evolving 
cybersecurity threats pose potential risks to the security of our IT systems, networks and services, as well as the confidentiality, 
availability and integrity of our data.  In addition, the laws and regulations governing security of data on IT systems and otherwise 
collected, processed, stored, transmitted, disclosed and disposed of by companies are evolving, adding another layer of complexity 
in the form of new requirements.  We have made, and continue to make investments, seeking to address these threats, including 
monitoring of networks and systems, hiring of experts, employee training and security policies for employees and third-party 
providers.  The techniques used in these attacks change frequently and may be difficult to detect for periods of time and we may 
face difficulties in anticipating and implementing adequate preventative measures.  

Our worldwide operations mean that we are subject to laws and regulations, including data protection and cybersecurity laws and 
regulations, in many jurisdictions. For example, The European Union ("E.U.") General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requires 
us to manage personal data in the E.U. and may impose fines of up to four percent of our global revenue in the event of certain 
violations. Other jurisdictions are also implementing or proposing a variety of data privacy laws and regulations.  Further, there 
has been a developing trend of civil lawsuits and class actions relating to breaches of consumer data held by large companies or 
incidents arising from other cyber-attacks. Any data security breaches, cyber-attacks, malicious intrusions or significant disruptions 
could result in actions by regulatory bodies and/or civil litigation, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business, 
results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, reputation or competitive position.

While the breaches of our IT systems to date have not been material to our business or results of operations, the costs of attempting 
to protect IT systems and data may increase, and there can be no assurance that these added security efforts will prevent all breaches 
of our IT systems or thefts of our data.  If our IT systems are damaged or cease to function properly, the networks or service 
providers we rely upon fail to function properly, we fail to comply with an applicable law or regulation, such as the GDPR, or we 
or one of our third-party providers suffer a loss or disclosure of our business or stakeholder information due to any number of 
causes ranging from catastrophic events or power outages to improper data handling or security breaches and our business continuity 
plans do not effectively address these failures on a timely basis, we may be exposed to potential disruption in operations, loss of 
customers, reputational, competitive and business harm as well as significant costs from remediation, litigation and regulatory 
actions.

We rely on a third party to obtain, process and distribute sports medicine allograft tissue.  If such tissue cannot be obtained, 
is not accepted by the market or is not accepted under numerous government regulations, our results of operations could be 
negatively impacted. 

A portion of our orthopedic revenues relate to our share of the service fees from the MTF allograft tissues for which we have 
exclusive worldwide sales representation, marketing and promotion rights, as further described in our revenue recognition policy 
in Note 1.  Our primary costs related to these revenues come from our commission expense and certain marketing costs.  Our 
ability to increase the service fees may be constrained by certain factors which are outside of our control, such as the limited supply 
of donors and donated tissue that meets the quality standards of MTF.  Similarly, under the terms of the agreement, MTF remains 
responsible for tissue procurement and processing, shipment of tissues and invoicing of service fees to customers.  To the extent 
MTF’s performance does not meet customer expectations or otherwise fails, CONMED may be unable to increase the allograft 
service fees or to find a suitable replacement for MTF on terms that are acceptable.  

The FDA and several states have statutory authority to regulate allograft processing and allograft-based materials.  The FDA could 
identify deficiencies in future inspections of MTF or MTF's suppliers or promulgate future regulatory rulings that could disrupt 
our business, reducing profitability.  

13

We distribute some products for third-party companies, and cannot ensure that our rights to distribute such third-party products 
will continue indefinitely.

While we generally own the products' designs and rights to the products we sell, in some cases we distribute products for third-
parties.  While these third-parties may have business reasons for contracting with us to distribute their products, we may face the 
risk that the third-parties may seek alternate distribution partners when their distribution contracts with us expire or are scheduled 
for renewal.  If we lose the distribution rights to such products, we may not be able to find replacement products that are acceptable 
to our customers, or to us.

If we lose our patents or they are held to be invalid, or if our products or services infringe on third party patents, we could 
become subject to liability and our competitive position could be harmed.

Much of the technology used in the markets in which we compete is covered by patents.  We have numerous U.S. patents and 
corresponding international patents on products expiring at various dates from 2020 through 2040 and have additional patent 
applications pending.  See Item 1 Business “Research and Development” and “Intellectual Property” for a further description of 
our  patents.  The  loss  of  our  patents  could  reduce  the  value  of  the  related  products  and  any  related  competitive 
advantage.  Competitors may also be able to design around our patents and to compete effectively with our products.  In addition, 
the cost of enforcing our patents against third parties and defending our products against patent infringement actions by others 
could be substantial, and we may not prevail.

While we seek to take reasonable steps to avoid infringing on patents we do not own or license, we cannot be sure that our services 
and products do not infringe on the intellectual property rights of third parties, and we may have infringement claims asserted 
against us. These claims could cost us money, prevent us from offering some services or products, or damage our reputation.  We 
cannot assure you that:

• 
• 
• 

• 

pending patent applications will result in issued patents;
patents issued to or licensed by us will not be challenged by competitors;
our patents will be found to be valid or sufficiently broad to protect our technology or provide us with a competitive 
advantage; or
we will be successful in defending against pending or future patent infringement claims asserted against our products.

We can be sued for product liability claims and our insurance coverage may be insufficient to cover the nature and amount of 
any product liability claims.

Even if our products are properly designed and perform as intended, we may be sued because the nature of our products as medical 
devices and today’s litigious environment should be regarded as potential risks which could significantly and adversely affect our 
financial condition and results of operations.  The insurance we maintain to protect against claims associated with the use of our 
products has deductibles and may not adequately cover the amount or nature of any claim asserted against us.  We are also exposed 
to the risk that our insurers may become insolvent or that premiums may increase substantially.  See “Item 3 - Legal Proceedings” 
for a further discussion of the risk of product liability actions and our insurance coverage.

Damage to our physical properties as a result of windstorm, earthquake, fire or other natural or man-made disaster may cause 
a financial loss and a loss of customers.

Although we maintain insurance coverage for physical damage to our property and the resultant losses that could occur during a 
business interruption, we are required to pay deductibles and our insurance coverage is limited to certain caps.  For example, our 
deductible for windstorm damage to our Florida property amounts to 2% of any loss.

Further, while insurance reimburses us for our lost gross earnings during a business interruption, if we are unable to supply our 
customers with our products for an extended period of time, there can be no assurance that we will regain the customers’ business 
once the product supply is returned to normal.

Our significant international operations subject us to foreign currency fluctuations and other risks associated with operating 
in countries outside the United States.

A significant portion of our revenues, approximately 46% of 2019 consolidated net sales, were to customers outside the United 
States.  We have sales subsidiaries in a significant number of countries in Europe as well as Australia, Canada, China, Japan and 
Korea.  In those countries in which we have a direct presence, our sales are denominated in the local currency and those sales 
denominated in local currency amounted to approximately 33% of our total net sales in 2019.  The remaining 13% of sales to 
14

 
 
 
 
 
 
customers outside the United States was on an export basis and transacted in United States dollars.

Because a significant portion of our operations consist of sales activities in jurisdictions outside the United States, our financial 
results may be affected by factors such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates or weak economic conditions in the markets 
in which we distribute products.  While we have implemented a hedging strategy involving foreign currency forward contracts 
for 2019, our revenues and earnings are only partially protected from foreign currency translation if the United States dollar 
strengthens as compared with currencies such as the Euro.  Further, as of the date of this Form 10-K, we have not entered into any 
foreign currency forward contracts beyond 2021.  Our international presence exposes us to certain other inherent risks, including:

• 

• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 

imposition of limitations on conversions of foreign currencies into dollars or remittance of dividends and other payments 
by international subsidiaries;
imposition or increase of withholding and other taxes on remittances and other payments by international subsidiaries;
trade barriers and tariffs;
compliance with economic sanctions, trade embargoes, export controls, and the customs laws and regulations of the many 
countries in which we operate;
political risks, including political instability;
reliance on third parties to distribute our products;
hyperinflation in certain countries outside the United States; and
imposition or increase of investment and other restrictions by foreign governments.

We cannot assure you that such risks will not have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Our new products may fail to achieve expected levels of market acceptance.

New product introductions may fail to achieve market acceptance.  The degree of market acceptance for any of our products will 
depend upon a number of factors, including:

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

our ability to develop and introduce new products and product enhancements in the time frames we currently estimate;
our ability to successfully implement new technologies;
the market’s readiness to accept new products;
having adequate financial and technological resources for future product development and promotion;
the efficacy of our products; and
the prices of our products compared to the prices of our competitors’ products.

If our new products do not achieve market acceptance, we may be unable to recover our investments and may lose business to 
competitors.

In addition, some of the companies with which we now compete, or may compete in the future, have or may have more extensive 
research, marketing and manufacturing capabilities and significantly greater technical and personnel resources than we do, and 
may be better positioned to continue to improve their technology in order to compete in an evolving industry.  See “Products” in 
Item 1 - Business for a further discussion of these competitive forces.

Our Board of Directors may, in the future, limit or discontinue payment of a dividend on common stock.

We have paid a regular quarterly dividend to our shareholders since 2012. However, we may not declare or pay such dividends 
in the future at the prior rate, or at all.  All decisions regarding our payment of dividends will be made by our Board of Directors 
from time to time and will be subject to an evaluation of our financial condition, results of operations and capital requirements, 
as well as applicable law, regulatory constraints, industry practice, contractual restraints and other business considerations that 
our Board of Directors considers relevant.  In addition, our senior credit agreement contains restrictions on our ability to pay 
dividends, and the terms of agreements governing debt that we may incur in the future may also limit or prohibit dividend 
payments. We may not have sufficient surplus or net profits under New York law to be able to pay any dividends, which may 
result  from  extraordinary  cash  expenses,  actual  expenses  exceeding  contemplated  costs,  funding  of  capital  expenditures  or 
increases in reserves.

Anti-takeover provisions in our organizational documents and New York law could delay or prevent a change in control.

Provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may delay or prevent a merger or acquisition that a shareholder may 
consider favorable. These provisions include:

15

 
 
 
•  the ability of our board of directors to determine to issue shares of preferred stock and to determine the price and other terms 
of those shares, including preferences and voting rights, without shareholder approval, which could be used to significantly 
dilute the ownership of a hostile acquirer;

•  the requirement that a special meeting of shareholders may be called only by the board of directors, the chairman of the 
board of directors or the president, which may delay the ability of our shareholders to force consideration of a proposal or 
to take action;

•  providing indemnification to our directors and officers;
•  providing that directors may be removed prior to the expiration of their terms by shareholders only for cause; and
•  advance notice procedures that shareholders must comply with in order to nominate candidates to our board of directors or 
to propose matters to be acted upon at a shareholders’ meeting, which may discourage or deter a potential acquiror from 
conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquiror’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of 
us.

As a New York corporation, we are also subject to provisions of New York law, including Section 912 of the New York Business 
Corporation Law, which prevents some shareholders holding more than 20% of our outstanding common stock from engaging in 
certain business combinations without approval of the board of directors or the holders of substantially all of our outstanding 
common stock.  Any provision of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws or New York law that has the effect of delaying or 
deterring a change in control could limit the opportunity for our shareholders to receive a premium for their shares of our common 
stock, and could also affect the price that some investors are willing to pay for our common stock.

Environmental laws and regulations and climate change initiatives could materially and adversely affect our business, 
financial condition, and results of operations.

Our business and facilities and those of our suppliers are subject to a number of federal, state, local and international laws and 
regulations  governing  the  protection  of  human  health  and  the  environment.    In  addition,  concern  over  climate  change  and 
sustainability has led to foreign and domestic legislative and regulatory initiatives directed at limiting carbon dioxide and other 
greenhouse gas emissions.  A failure to comply with current or future environmental laws and regulations could result in fines or 
penalties.  Any such expenses or liability could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or 
cash flows.

Our ability to attract and retain qualified employees is critical to our success.

CONMED’s employees are its most important resource, and in many areas of the medical industry, competition for qualified 
personnel is intense. CONMED seeks to attract talented and diverse new employees and retain and motivate its existing employees. 
If we are unable to continue to attract or retain qualified employees, including our executives, CONMED’s performance, including 
its competitive position, could be materially and adversely affected.

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

16

Item 2.  Properties

Facilities

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our principal operating facilities.  We believe that our 

facilities are generally well maintained, are suitable to support our business and adequate for present and anticipated needs.

Location

Square Feet

Own or Lease

Lease Expiration

Utica, NY
Largo, FL
Chihuahua, Mexico
Chihuahua, Mexico
Lithia Springs, GA
Brussels, Belgium
Mississauga, Canada
Greenwood Village, CO
Westborough, MA
Frenchs Forest, Australia

500,000
278,000
207,720
40,626
188,400
58,276
22,421
22,162
19,515
16,912

Own
Own
Lease
Lease
Lease
Lease
Lease
Lease
Lease
Lease

—
—
October 2024
March 2028
January 2025
June 2024
December 2023
July 2024
November 2025
July 2020

Our principal manufacturing facilities are located in Utica, NY, Largo, FL and Chihuahua, Mexico.  Lithia Springs, GA 
and  Brussels,  Belgium  are  our  principal  distribution  centers.   We  also  maintain  sales  and  administrative  offices  in  countries 
throughout the world.

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

We are involved in various proceedings, legal actions and claims arising in the normal course of business, including 
proceedings related to product, labor and intellectual property and other matters that are more fully described in Note 13.  We are 
not a party to any pending legal proceedings other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to our business.  

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

17

 
 
 
PART II

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

Our common stock, par value $.01 per share, is traded on the New York Stock Exchange, effective February 10, 2020,  
under the symbol “CNMD”.  Prior to this date, our common stock was traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the same 
symbol.  At January 31, 2020, there were 524 registered holders of our common stock and approximately 28,900 accounts held 
in “street name”.

Our Board of Directors has authorized a share repurchase program; see Note 9. 

The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share in 2018 and 2019.  The fourth quarter 
dividend for 2019 was paid on January 7, 2020 to shareholders of record as of December 13, 2019.  The total dividend payable at 
December 31, 2019 was $5.7 million and is included in other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.  Future decisions 
as to the payment of dividends will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors, subject to conditions then existing, including 
our financial requirements and condition and the limitation and payment of cash dividends contained in debt agreements.

Refer to Item 12 for information relating to compensation plans under which equity securities of CONMED Corporation 

are authorized for issuance.

18

 
 
Performance Graph

The  performance  graph  below  compares  the  yearly  percentage  change  in  the  Company’s  Common  Stock  with  the 
cumulative total return of the NASDAQ Composite Index and the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poor’s Health Care 
Equipment Index.  In each case, the cumulative total return assumes reinvestment of dividends into the same class of equity 
securities at the frequency with which dividends are paid on such securities during the applicable fiscal year.

19

Item 6.  Selected Financial Data

The following table sets forth selected historical financial data for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016
and 2015.  The financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with the information under “Management’s Discussion 
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in Item 7 of this Form 10-K and the Consolidated Financial 
Statements of the Company and the notes thereto.

FIVE YEAR SUMMARY OF SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
(In thousands, except per share data)

2019

Years Ended December 31,
2017

2018

2016

2015

Statements of Operations Data (1):

Net sales
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Selling and administrative expense
Research and development expense
Income from operations
Interest expense
Other expense
Income before income taxes
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
Net income

Per Share Data:

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

Dividends per share of common stock

Other Financial Data:

Depreciation and amortization
Capital expenditures

Balance Sheet Data (at period end):

Cash and cash equivalents
Total assets
Long-term obligations
Total shareholders’ equity

$ 955,097
430,382
524,715
400,141
45,460
79,114
42,701
5,188
31,225
2,605
28,620

$

$ 859,634
390,524
469,110
355,617
42,188
71,305
20,652
—
50,653
9,799
40,854

$

$ 796,392
365,351
431,041
351,799
32,307
46,935
18,203
—
28,732
(26,755)
55,487

$

$ 763,520
355,190
408,330
338,400
32,254
37,676
15,359
2,942
19,375
4,711
14,664

$

$ 719,168
337,466
381,702
303,091
27,436
51,175
6,031
—
45,144
14,646
30,498

$

$

$

$

$

$

1.01

0.97

0.80

72,323
20,066

25,856
1,775,095
876,541
710,467

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

1.45

1.41

0.80

60,761
16,507

17,511
1,369,138
545,924
662,270

1.99

1.97

0.80

57,506
12,842

32,622
1,357,961
576,526
631,432

$

$

$

$

$

0.53

0.52

0.80

54,267
14,753

27,428
1,328,983
634,455
580,576

$

$

$

$

$

1.10

1.09

0.80

43,285
15,009

72,504
1,101,700
396,909
585,073

(1) 

Results of operations of acquired businesses have been recorded in the financial statements since the date of acquisition. 
Refer to Note 2 and Note 14 for discussion of the Buffalo Filter acquisition.  On January 4, 2016 we acquired SurgiQuest, 
Inc.  During 2016, we incurred $17.0 million in acquisition and integration related costs associated with this acquisition.

20

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

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with Selected Financial Data (Item 6), and our Consolidated 

Financial Statements and related notes contained elsewhere in this report.

This  section  of 

this  Form  10-K  generally  discusses 2019 and 2018 items  and  year-to-year  comparisons 
between 2019 and 2018. Discussions of 2017 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2018 and 2017 that are not included 
in this Form 10-K can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” 
in Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

Overview of CONMED Corporation

CONMED Corporation (“CONMED”, the “Company”, “we” or “us”) is a medical technology company that provides 
surgical devices and equipment for minimally invasive procedures.  The Company’s products are used by surgeons and physicians 
in a variety of specialties including orthopedics, general surgery, gynecology, neurosurgery, thoracic surgery and gastroenterology.  

Our product lines consist of orthopedic surgery and general surgery.  Orthopedic surgery consists of sports medicine 
instrumentation and small bone, large bone and specialty powered surgical instruments as well as, imaging systems for use in 
minimally invasive surgery procedures including 2DHD and 3DHD vision technologies and service fees related to the promotion 
and marketing of sports medicine allograft tissue.  General surgery consists of a complete line of endo-mechanical instrumentation 
for minimally invasive laparoscopic and gastrointestinal procedures, a line of cardiac monitoring products as well as electrosurgical 
generators and related instruments.  These product lines as a percentage of consolidated net sales are as follows:

Orthopedic surgery
General surgery

Consolidated net sales

2019

2018

2017

49%
51
100%

52%
48
100%

54%
46
100%

A significant amount of our products are used in surgical procedures with approximately 79% of our revenues derived 
from the sale of single-use products.  Our capital equipment offerings also facilitate the ongoing sale of related single-use products 
and accessories, thus providing us with a recurring revenue stream.  We manufacture substantially all of our products in facilities 
located in the United States and Mexico.  We market our products both domestically and internationally directly to customers and 
through distributors.  International sales approximated 46% in 2019 and 48% in 2018 and 2017.

Buffalo Filter Acquisition

On February 11, 2019, we acquired Buffalo Filter and all of the issued and outstanding common stock of Palmerton 
Holdings, Inc. from Filtration Group FGC LLC (the “Buffalo Filter Acquisition”) for approximately $365 million, in cash.  Buffalo 
Filter develops, manufactures and markets smoke evacuation technologies that are complementary to our general surgery offering. 
See Note 2 for further information on this business acquisition. 

We financed the purchase price for the Buffalo Filter Acquisition using a combination of the issuance of $345.0 million
of 2.625% convertible notes due 2024 issued on January 29, 2019 (the Convertible Notes”) and the incurrence of indebtedness 
under our sixth amended and restated senior secured credit agreement, which closed on February 7, 2019.  Refer to Financing 
Cash Flows and Note 7 for further details.

Critical Accounting Policies

Preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions which affect the reported amounts 
of  assets,  liabilities,  revenues  and  expenses.  Note  1  describes  the  significant  accounting  policies  used  in  preparation  of  the 
consolidated financial statements.  The most significant areas involving management judgments and estimates are described below 
and are considered by management to be critical to understanding the financial condition and results of operations of CONMED 
Corporation.  Actual results may or may not differ from these estimates.

21

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill and Intangible Assets

We have a history of growth through acquisitions.  Assets and liabilities of acquired businesses are recorded at their 
estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition.  Goodwill represents costs in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying 
net assets of acquired businesses.  Factors that contribute to the recognition of goodwill include synergies that are specific to our 
business and are expected to increase net sales and profits; acquisition of a talented workforce; cost savings opportunities; the 
strategic benefit of expanding our presence in core and adjacent markets; and diversifying our product portfolio.  Customer and 
distributor relationships, trademarks, tradenames, developed technology, patents and other intangible assets primarily represent 
allocations  of  purchase  price  to  identifiable  intangible  assets  of  acquired  businesses.    Sales  representation,  marketing  and 
promotional  rights  represent  intangible  assets  created  under  our  agreement  with  Musculoskeletal  Transplant  Foundation 
(“MTF”).  Determining the fair value of intangible assets acquired as part of a business combination requires us to make significant 
estimates. These estimates include the amount and timing of projected future cash flows of each project or technology, revenue 
growth rates, projected cost of sales, customer attrition rates, the discount rate used to discount those cash flows to present value, 
the assessment of the asset’s useful life, and the consideration of legal, technical, regulatory, economic, and competitive risks.  As 
these are significant estimates, we would obtain the assistance of a third-party valuation specialist in estimating fair values of 
intangible assets for significant acquisitions.

Goodwill  and  intangible  assets  deemed  to  have  indefinite  lives  are  not  amortized,  but  are  subject  to  at  least  annual 
impairment  testing.    It  is  our  policy  to  perform  our  annual  impairment  testing  in  the  fourth  quarter.   The  identification  and 
measurement of goodwill impairment involves the estimation of the fair value of our business.  Estimates of fair value are based 
on the best information available as of the date of the assessment.  We completed our goodwill impairment testing during the 
fourth quarter of 2019.  We performed our impairment test utilizing the market capitalization approach to determine whether the 
fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount.  Based upon our assessment, the fair value continues to exceed 
carrying value.

Intangible assets with a finite life are amortized over the estimated useful life of the asset and are evaluated each reporting 
period to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of amortization.  Intangible 
assets subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying 
amount may not be recoverable.  The carrying amount of an intangible asset subject to amortization is not recoverable if it exceeds 
the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset.  An impairment loss is recognized by reducing 
the carrying amount of the intangible asset to its current fair value.

For all other indefinite-lived intangible assets, we perform a qualitative impairment test.  Based upon this assessment, 

we have determined that our indefinite-lived intangible assets are not impaired. 

See Note 6 for further discussion of goodwill and other intangible assets.

Consolidated Results of Operations

The following table presents, as a percentage of net sales, certain categories included in our consolidated statements of 

comprehensive income for the periods indicated:

Years Ended December 31,
2018

2017

2019

Net sales
Cost of sales

Gross profit

Selling and administrative expense
Research and development expense

Income from operations

Interest expense
Other expense

Income before income taxes
Provision (benefit) for income taxes

Net income

100.0%
45.1
54.9
41.9
4.8
8.3
4.5
0.5
3.3
0.3
3.0%

100.0%
45.4
54.6
41.4
4.9
8.3
2.4
—
5.9
1.1
4.8%

100.0%
45.9
54.1
44.2
4.1
5.9
2.3
—
3.6
(3.4)
7.0%

22

 
 
 
 
Net Sales 

The following table presents net sales by product line for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017: 

Orthopedic surgery

General surgery
   Net sales

Single-use products

Capital products
   Net sales

Orthopedic surgery
General surgery

   Net sales

Single-use products

Capital products
   Net sales

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

2018

446.7
412.9

859.6

681.1

178.5
859.6

$

$

$

$

2019

2018

As
Reported

463.3

491.8
955.1

756.3

198.8
955.1

$

$

$

$

446.7

412.9
859.6

681.1

178.5
859.6

2017

As
Reported

ASC 606
Impact

428.9
367.5

796.4

637.0

159.4
796.4

4.1%
12.4%

7.9%

6.9%

12.0%
7.9%

0.7%
1.7%

1.2%

1.4%

—%
1.2%

% Change from
2018 to 2019
Impact of
Foreign
Currency Adjusted a
4.5%

0.8%

3.7%

19.1%
11.1%

11.0%

11.3%
11.1%

0.3%
0.6%

0.6%

0.7%
0.6%

19.4%
11.7%

11.6%

12.0%
11.7%

% Change from
2017 to 2018

Impact of
Foreign
Currency Adjusted a
3.9%
13.8%

-0.9%
-0.3%
-0.7%

-0.7%
-0.5%
-0.7%

8.4%

7.6%

11.5%
8.4%

(a) Adjusted net sales growth is measured in constant currency.  For 2018 to 2017 comparison, adjusted net sales growth is also adjusted for administrative fees 
that we began recording as a reduction of revenue under Accounting Standards Codification 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASC 606") on 
January 1, 2018. Refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures below for further details.

Net sales increased 11.1% to $955.1 million in 2019 from $859.6 million in 2018.  The increase in 2019 was due to 
growth in both the orthopedic and general surgery product lines, as described below.  Buffalo Filter sales were $49.6 million during 
the year ended December 31, 2019.  

•  Orthopedic surgery sales increased 3.7% in 2019 to $463.3 million from $446.7 million in 2018.  The increase was driven 

by new product innovations in the procedure specific categories and strength in capital sales.

•  General surgery sales increased 19.1% in 2019 to $491.8 million from  $412.9 million in 2018.  The increase was driven 

by sales from the Buffalo Filter acquisition, as well as growth across the portfolio. 

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales was $430.4 million in 2019 compared to $390.5 million in 2018.  Gross profit margins were 54.9% in 2019
and 54.6% in 2018.  The increase in gross profit margin of 0.3 percentage points in 2019 was driven by improved performance 
by our manufacturing plants offset by charges related to inventory adjustments associated with the Buffalo Filter Acquisition and 
manufacturing consolidation costs. 

Selling and Administrative Expense

Selling  and  administrative  expense  was  $400.1  million  in  2019  compared  to  $355.6  million  in  2018.    Selling  and 

administrative expense as a percentage of net sales was 41.9% in 2019 and 41.4% in 2018.  

23

 
 
 
The 0.5 percentage point increase in selling and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales in 2019 as compared 
to the same period a year ago is primarily due to business acquisition costs of $13.1 million which included charges for investment 
banking fees, consulting fees, legal fees, severance and integration related costs as further described in Note 14, and the associated 
amortization of the intangible assets.  Offsetting these increases is lower spending as a percentage of net sales as we continue to 
leverage our operating structure.

Research and Development Expense

Research and development expense was $45.5 million in 2019 and $42.2 million in 2018.  As a percentage of net sales, 
research and development expense was 4.8% in 2019 and 4.9% in 2018.  2019 expense increased from our continued efforts to 
increase new product development. 2018 expense included a net charge of $4.2 million associated with the impairment of an in-
process research and development asset, net of the release of previously accrued contingent consideration, as further described in 
Note 13 and Note 14. 

Other Expense

Other expense during the year ended December 31, 2019 was mainly related to costs associated with our sixth amended 
and restated senior credit agreement entered into on February 7, 2019 as further described in Note 7.  These costs include a $3.6 
million charge related to commitment fees paid to certain of our lenders, which provided a financing commitment for the Buffalo 
Filter acquisition, and a loss on the early extinguishment of debt of $0.3 million.  Also included in 2019 are non-service pension 
costs.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased to $42.7 million in 2019 compared to $20.7 million in 2018.  Interest expense increased in 
2019 due to the additional borrowings under the sixth amended and restated senior credit agreement and the issuance of $345.0 
million in 2.625% convertible notes due  in 2024, as further described in Note 7.  The  weighted average interest rates on our 
borrowings were 3.71% in 2019 decreasing from 4.35% in 2018.

Provision for Income Taxes

A provision for income taxes was recorded at an effective rate of 8.3% and 19.3% in 2019 and 2018, respectively, as 
compared to the federal statutory rate of 21.0%.  The effective tax rate in 2019 is lower than that recorded in 2018 due primarily 
to stock compensation income tax benefits and the release of reserves following settlement with tax authorities, with a partially 
offsetting increase due to benefits taken in 2018 related to tax reform that did not recur in 2019.  A reconciliation of the United 
States statutory income tax rate to our effective tax rate is included in Note 8.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Net sales on an "adjusted" basis is a non-GAAP measure that presents net sales in "constant currency" and in the 2018 
to 2017 comparison adjusts for the adoption impact of ASC 606.  The Company analyzes net sales on a constant currency basis 
to better measure the comparability of results between periods.  To measure percentage sales growth in constant currency, the 
Company removes the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates that affect the comparability and trend of net sales.  
In addition, the Company adjusts for the adoption impact of ASC 606. For GAAP purposes, we applied the modified retrospective 
transition approach which requires certain costs previously included in selling and administrative expense and principally related 
to administrative fees paid to group purchasing organizations, to be recorded as a reduction of revenue for periods subsequent to 
January  1,  2018.  Amounts  reported  in  prior  years  remain  unchanged  with  these  administrative  fees  included  in  selling  and 
administrative expense.  To improve comparability between reporting periods, we assumed ASC 606 had been applied as of January 
1, 2017 thereby reducing net sales by the administrative fees for both periods when calculating adjusted sales growth.

Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare this financial measure 
with other companies' non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names.  This adjusted financial measure should 
not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for reported net sales growth, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.  
This non-GAAP financial measure is an additional way of viewing net sales that, when viewed with our GAAP results, provides 
a more complete understanding of our business.  The Company strongly encourages investors and shareholders to review our 
financial statements and publicly-filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.

24

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our liquidity needs arise primarily from capital investments, working capital requirements and payments on indebtedness 
under the amended and restated senior credit agreement, described below.  We have historically met these liquidity requirements 
with funds generated from operations and borrowings under our revolving credit facility.  In addition, we have historically used 
term borrowings, including borrowings under the sixth amended and restated senior credit agreement and borrowings under separate 
loan facilities, in the case of real property purchases, to finance our acquisitions.  We also have the ability to raise funds through 
the sale of stock or we may issue debt through a private placement or public offering.  Management believes that cash flow from 
operations, including cash and cash equivalents on hand and available borrowing capacity under our amended and restated senior 
credit agreement, will be adequate to meet our anticipated operating working capital requirements, debt service, funding of capital 
expenditures and common stock repurchases in the foreseeable future.  

We had total cash on hand at December 31, 2019 of $25.9 million, of which approximately $20.2 million was held by 
our foreign subsidiaries outside the United States with unremitted earnings.  During 2019, we redeployed $12.5 million of cash 
from certain non-U.S. subsidiaries primarily for U.S. debt reduction which consisted primarily of earnings that were taxed in 2017 
as part of the deemed repatriation toll charge implemented by Tax Reform. We may repatriate funds from certain foreign subsidiaries 
in the future.  Refer to Note 8 for further details. 

Operating Cash Flows

Our net working capital position was $209.3 million at December 31, 2019.  Net cash provided by operating activities 
was $95.1 million in 2019 and $74.7 million in 2018 generated on net income of $28.6 million in 2019 and $40.9 million in 
2018.  Although there was a decline in net income in the period, this decline was driven by non-cash amortization associated with 
the intangible assets acquired with the Buffalo Filter Acquisition and amortization of the debt discount associated with the 2.625% 
convertible notes further described below.  In addition, other significant changes in assets and liabilities affecting cash flows 
include the following:

•  An increase in cash flows from inventory is driven primarily by improved inventory management coupled with sales 

growth; 

•  A decrease in cash flows from accounts payable is primarily due to timing of payments;

•  An increase in cash flows from other liabilities is primarily caused by a trial verdict payment during 2018 as further 

described in Note 14.

Investing Cash Flows

Net cash used in investing activities increased to $387.7 million in 2019 compared to $16.5 million in 2018 primarily 
due to the $365 million payment for the Buffalo Filter Acquisition in 2019.  Capital expenditures were $20.1 million and $16.5 
million in 2019 and 2018, respectively.  

Financing Cash Flows

Financing activities in 2019 provided cash of $300.9 million compared to using cash of $72.3 million in 2018.  Below 

is a summary of the significant financing activities:

•  During  2019,  we  received  proceeds  of $345.0  million related  to  the  issuance  of 2.625% convertible  notes  as  further 

described below.

•  During 2019, we entered into a $265.0 million term loan in conjunction with the refinancing of our senior credit agreement. 
This  new  term  loan  replaced  the  previous  term  loan  and  resulted  in  net  proceeds  of $110.7  million during  the year 
ended December 31, 2019 compared to $13.1 million in payments in the prior year.

•  We had net repayments on our revolving line of credit of $92.0 million and $15.0 million in 2019 and 2018, respectively. 
In 2019, we paid $51.2 million to purchase hedges related to our convertible notes. Partially offsetting this, were proceeds 
• 
of $30.6 million from the issuance of warrants as further described below.

•  We paid $6.5 million and $21.3 million in 2019 and 2018, respectively, in contingent consideration related to a prior asset 

• 

acquisition.
In 2019 and 2018, we paid debt issuance costs of $16.2 million and $0.9 million, respectively, related to the sixth amended 
and restated senior credit agreement and 2.625% convertible notes.  

25

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On February 7, 2019 we entered into a sixth amended and restated senior credit agreement consisting of: (a) a $265.0 
million term loan facility and (b) a $585.0 million revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility will terminate and the 
loans outstanding under the term loan facility will mature on the earlier of (i) February 7, 2024 or (ii) 91 days prior to the earliest 
scheduled maturity date of the 2.625% convertible notes due in 2024 described below, (if, as of such date, more than $150.0 million
in aggregate principal amount of such convertible notes (or any refinancing thereof) remains outstanding).  The term loan facility 
is payable in quarterly installments increasing over the term of the facility.  Proceeds from the term loan facility and borrowings 
under the revolving credit facility were used to repay the then existing senior credit agreement and in part to finance the acquisition 
of Buffalo Filter.  Interest rates are at LIBOR plus an interest rate margin of 1.750% (3.563% at December 31, 2019).  For those 
borrowings where we elect to use the alternate base rate, the base rate will be the greatest of (i) the Prime Rate, (ii) the Federal 
Funds Rate plus 0.50% or (iii) the one-month Eurocurrency Rate plus 1.00%, plus, in each case, an interest rate margin.

There were $255.1 million in borrowings outstanding on the term loan facility as of December 31, 2019.  There were 
$220.0 million in borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2019.  Our available borrowings 
on the revolving credit facility at December 31, 2019 were $362.5 million with approximately $2.5 million of the facility set aside 
for outstanding letters of credit.  

The sixth amended and restated senior credit agreement is collateralized by substantially all of our personal property and 
assets.  The sixth amended and restated senior credit agreement contains covenants and restrictions which, among other things, 
require the maintenance of certain financial ratios and restrict dividend payments and the incurrence of certain indebtedness and 
other activities, including acquisitions and dispositions.  We were in full compliance with these covenants and restrictions as of 
December 31, 2019.  We are also required, under certain circumstances, to make mandatory prepayments from net cash proceeds 
from any issuance of equity and asset sales.

On January 29, 2019, we issued $345.0 million in 2.625% convertible notes due in 2024 (the "Notes").  Interest is payable 
semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year, commencing August 1, 2019.  The Notes will mature on February 
1, 2024, unless earlier repurchased or converted.  The Notes represent subordinated unsecured obligations and are convertible 
under certain circumstances, as defined in the indenture, into a combination of cash and CONMED common stock.  The Notes 
may be converted at an initial conversion rate of 11.2608 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes 
(equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $88.80 per share of common stock).  Holders of the Notes may convert 
the Notes at their option at any time on or after November 1, 2023 through the second scheduled trading day preceding the maturity 
date.  Holders of the Notes will also have the right to convert the Notes prior to November 1, 2023, but only upon the occurrence 
of specified events.  The conversion rate is subject to anti-dilution adjustments if certain events occur.  A portion of the net proceeds 
from the offering of the Notes were used as part of the financing for the Buffalo Filter acquisition and $21.0 million were used to 
pay the cost of certain convertible notes hedge transactions as further described below.

In connection with the offering of the Notes, we entered into convertible notes hedge transactions with a number of 
financial institutions (each, an “option counterparty”).  The convertible notes hedge transactions cover, subject to anti-dilution 
adjustments substantially similar to those applicable to the Notes, the number of shares of our common stock underlying the Notes.  
Concurrently with entering into the convertible notes hedge transactions, we also entered into separate warrant transactions with 
each option counterparty whereby we sold to such option counterparty warrants to purchase, subject to customary anti-dilution 
adjustments, the same number of shares of our common stock.

The convertible notes hedge transactions are expected generally to reduce the potential dilution upon conversion of the 
Notes and/or offset any cash payments we are required to make in excess of the principal amount of converted Notes, as the case 
may be, in the event that the market price per share of our common stock, as measured under the terms of the convertible notes 
hedge transactions, is greater than the strike price ($114.92) of the convertible notes hedge transactions, which initially corresponds 
to the conversion price of the Notes and is subject to anti-dilution adjustments substantially similar to those applicable to the 
conversion rate of the Notes.  If, however, the market price per share of our common stock, as measured under the terms of the 
warrant transactions, exceeds the strike price of the warrants, there would nevertheless be dilution to the extent that such market 
price exceeds the strike price of the warrants.

During 2019, we paid in full our mortgage notes in connection with the Largo, Florida property and facilities.

Our Board of Directors has authorized a $200.0 million share repurchase program.  Through December 31, 2019, we 
have repurchased a total of 6.1 million shares of common stock aggregating $162.6 million under this authorization and have 
$37.4 million remaining available for share repurchases.  The repurchase program calls for shares to be purchased in the open 
market or in private transactions from time to time.  We may suspend or discontinue the share repurchase program at any time.  We 
did not purchase any shares of common stock under the share repurchase program during 2019.  We have financed the repurchases 

26

 
 
 
 
 
and may finance additional repurchases through operating cash flow and from available borrowings under our revolving credit 
facility.

Management believes that cash flow from operations, including cash and cash equivalents on hand and available borrowing 
capacity under our sixth amended and restated senior credit agreement, will be adequate to meet our anticipated operating working 
capital requirements, debt service, funding of capital expenditures, dividend payments and common stock repurchases in the 
foreseeable future.  See “Item 1A. Risk Factors - Risks Related to Our Indebtedness." 

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations for the next five years and thereafter (amounts in thousands) 
as of December 31, 2019.  Purchase obligations represent purchase orders for goods and services placed in the ordinary course of 
business.  

Payments Due by Period
 1-3
Years

Less than
1 Year

 3-5
Years

More than
5 Years

Total

Long-term debt
Purchase obligations
Lease obligations
Total contractual obligations

$

$

820,063
69,127
28,344
917,534

$

$

13,250
65,730
7,646
86,626

$

$

43,063
3,120
11,824
58,007

$

$

763,750
277
7,394
771,421

$

$

—
—
1,480
1,480

In addition to the above contractual obligations, we are required to make periodic interest payments on our long-term 
debt obligations (see additional discussion under Item 7A. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Interest 
Rate Risk” and Note 7).  The above table also does not include unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $2.2 million, the timing 
and certainty of recognition for which is not known (See Note 8).

Stock-based Compensation

We have reserved shares of common stock for issuance to employees and directors under two shareholder-approved 
share-based compensation plans (the "Plans").  The Plans provide for grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), 
dividend equivalent rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance share units (“PSUs”) and other equity-
based and equity-related awards.  The exercise price on all outstanding stock options and SARs is equal to the quoted fair market 
value of the stock at the date of grant.  RSUs and PSUs are valued at the market value of the underlying stock on the date of 
grant.  Stock options, SARs, RSUs and PSUs are generally non-transferable other than on death and generally become exercisable 
over a four to five year period from date of grant.  Stock options and SARs expire ten years from date of grant.  SARs are only 
settled  in  shares  of  the  Company’s  stock (See  Note  9).    Total  pre-tax  stock-based  compensation  expense  recognized  in  the 
consolidated  statements  of  comprehensive  income  was  $11.8  million,  $10.0  million  and  $8.5  million  for  the  years  ended 
December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.  

Other Matters

Our credit facility allows us to seek to sell products to certain customers in Iran in compliance with applicable laws and 
regulations and subject to certain terms and conditions, including pre-approval by us and our lenders of the identity of any distributor 
and prior review of each of the end-customers.  We had sales to a third-party distributor in Iran during 2019 and expect there may 
be sales during the first quarter of 2020.  We intend to limit sales into Iran to products that qualify as “medical supplies” within 
the meaning of the general license, or covered by specific licenses, provided by the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations 
set forth in the regulations promulgated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) of the United States Department of the 
Treasury set forth at 31 C.F.R. § 560.530.  We have implemented certain controls and processes designed to ensure that the ultimate 
end-users for the products are those permitted under the OFAC general license, and that the sales and transactions with the Iranian 
distributor otherwise comply with the requirements of the OFAC regulations.  The expected revenues and net profits associated 
with sales to the Iranian distributor are not expected to be material to our results of operations.

We do not believe that our activities to date, and do not expect that our activities in the future, will be subject to required 
disclosure under Section 13(r) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), which, among other things, requires 
disclosure of transactions and activities knowingly entered into with the Government of Iran that do not benefit from an OFAC 
27

 
 
 
 
 
 
license and with certain designated parties.  If, however, any activities in future periods are within the scope of the transactions 
and activities captured by Section 13(r) of the Exchange Act, we will make the required disclosures and notices.

New Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 17 for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements.

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices such as commodity prices, foreign 
currency exchange rates and interest rates.  In the normal course of business, we are exposed to various market risks, including 
changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates.  We manage our exposure to these and other market risks through 
regular operating and financing activities and as necessary through the use of derivative financial instruments.

Foreign currency risk

Approximately 46% of our total 2019 consolidated net sales were to customers outside the United States.  We have sales 
subsidiaries in a significant number of countries in Europe as well as Australia, Canada, China, Japan and Korea.  In those countries 
in which we have a direct presence, our sales are denominated in the local currency amounting to approximately 33% of our total 
net sales in 2019.  The remaining 13% of sales to customers outside the United States was on an export basis and transacted in 
United States dollars.

Because a significant portion of our operations consist of sales activities in foreign jurisdictions, our financial results 
may be affected by factors such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates or weak economic conditions in the markets in 
which we distribute products.  During 2019, foreign currency exchange rates, including the effects of the hedging program, caused 
sales to decrease by approximately $4.9 million.

We hedge forecasted intercompany sales denominated in foreign currencies through the use of forward contracts.  We 
account for these forward contracts as cash flow hedges.  To the extent these forward contracts meet hedge accounting criteria, 
changes in their fair value are not included in current earnings but are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss.  These 
changes in fair value will be recognized into earnings as a component of sales or cost of sales when the forecasted transaction 
occurs. 

We also enter into forward contracts to exchange foreign currencies for United States dollars in order to hedge our currency 
transaction exposures on intercompany receivables denominated in foreign currencies.  These forward contracts settle each month 
at month-end, at which time we enter into new forward contracts.  We have not designated these forward contracts as hedges and 
have not applied hedge accounting to them.  

Refer to Note 16 for further discussion.

Interest rate risk

At December 31, 2019, we had approximately $475.1 million of variable rate long-term debt outstanding under our senior 
credit agreement.  Assuming no repayments, if market interest rates for similar borrowings averaged 1.0% more in 2020 than they 
did in 2019, interest expense would increase, and income before income taxes would decrease by $4.8 million.  Comparatively, 
if market interest rates for similar borrowings average 1.0% less in 2020 than they did in 2019, our interest expense would decrease, 
and income before income taxes would increase by $4.8 million.

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Our 2019 Financial Statements are included in this Form 10-K beginning on page 39 and incorporated by reference herein.

Item 9.  Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures

There were no changes in or disagreement with accountants on accounting and financial disclosure.

Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures

28

As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was carried out by CONMED Corporation’s management, 
with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls 
and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).  Based upon that evaluation, our Chief 
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the 
end of the period covered by this report.  In addition, no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 
13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) occurred during the fourth quarter of the year ended December 31, 2019 that 
has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting and the Report of Independent Registered Public 

Accounting Firm thereon are set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 9B.  Other Information

Not applicable.

29

Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

PART III

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the sections captioned “Proposal One: Election 
of Directors”, “Directors, Executive Officers, Other Company Officers and Nominees for the Board of Directors”, “Delinquent 
Section 16(a) Reports", “Ethics Disclosure” and "Meetings of the Board of Directors and Committees, Leadership Structure and 
Risk Oversight” in CONMED Corporation’s definitive Proxy Statement or other informational filing to be filed with the Securities 
and Exchange Commission on or about April 10, 2020.

Item 11.  Executive Compensation

The  information  required  by  this  item  is  incorporated  herein  by  reference  to  the  sections  captioned  “Compensation 
Discussion and Analysis”, “Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation”, “Summary Compensation Table”, 
“Grants of Plan-Based Awards”, “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End”, “Option Exercises and Stock Vested”, “Non-
Qualified Deferred Compensation”, “Potential Payments on Termination or Change-in-Control”, “Director Compensation,” “Pay 
Ratio” and “Board of Directors and Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation; Certain Relationships and 
Related Transactions” in CONMED Corporation’s definitive Proxy Statement or other informational filing to be filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission on or about April 10, 2020.

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

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section captioned “Security Ownership 
of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in CONMED Corporation’s definitive Proxy Statement or other informational 
filing to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about April 10, 2020.

Information relating to shareholder approved compensation plans under which equity securities of CONMED Corporation 

are authorized for issuance is set forth below:

Equity Compensation Plan Information

Number of securities to 
be issued upon exercise 
of outstanding options, 
warrants and rights
(a)

Weighted-average 
exercise price of 
outstanding options, 
warrants and rights
(b)

Number of securities 
remaining available for 
future issuance under 
equity compensation 
plans (excluding 
securities reflected in 
column (a))
(c)

3,352,653

$

—

3,352,653

55.97

—

55.97

4,058,708

—

4,058,708

Plan category

Equity compensation plans
approved by security holders
Equity compensation plans not
approved by security holders

Total

The number of securities included in column (a) above consists of outstanding stock options, share appreciation rights 
(“SARs”) and performance share units, however the weighted-average exercise price in column (b) is for stock options and  SARs 
only.  

During 2018, the Company granted employment inducement awards in conjunction with the hiring of the Executive Vice 
President & Chief Financial Officer.  This included 48,000 stock options, that would be issued upon exercise, at an exercise price 
of $50.61 per share.  These shares are not part of a shareholder approved plan and no shares remain available for future issuance.

30

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

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section captioned “Directors, Executive 
Officers and Nominees for the Board of Directors” and “Board of Directors and Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider 
Participation; Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in CONMED Corporation’s definitive Proxy Statement or other 
informational filing to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about April 10, 2020.

Item 14.  Principal Accounting Fees and Services

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section captioned “Principal Accounting 
Fees  and  Services”  in  CONMED  Corporation’s  definitive  Proxy  Statement  or  other  informational  filing  to  be  filed  with  the 
Securities and Exchange Commission on or about April 10, 2020.

31

 
PART IV

Item 15.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

Index to Financial Statements

(a)(1) List of Financial Statements

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2019 and 2018

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2019, 
2018 and 2017

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 
and 2017

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(2)

List of Financial Statement Schedules

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Schedule II) for the Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 
and 2017

All other schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable, or the required information 
is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.

(3)

List of Exhibits

The exhibits listed on the accompanying Exhibit Index on page 35 below are filed as part of this 
Form 10-K.

Page in Form 10-K

39

40

42

43

44

45

47

77

32

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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.

CONMED CORPORATION

By: /s/ Curt R. Hartman
Curt R. Hartman
(President and Chief
Executive Officer)

Date:
February 24, 2020

33

 
 
 
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.

Signature

Title

Date

/s/ MARK E. TRYNISKI
Mark E. Tryniski

/s/ CURT R. HARTMAN
Curt R. Hartman

/s/ TODD W. GARNER
Todd W. Garner

Chair of the Board
of Directors

President, Chief Executive
Officer and Director

Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer

/s/ TERENCE M. BERGE
Terence M. Berge

Vice President-
Corporate Controller

/s/ DAVID BRONSON
David Bronson

/s/ BRIAN P. CONCANNON
Brian P. Concannon

/s/ LAVERNE COUNCIL
Laverne Council

/s/ CHARLES M. FARKAS
Charles M. Farkas

Director

Director

Director

Director

February 24, 2020

February 24, 2020

February 24, 2020

February 24, 2020

February 24, 2020

February 24, 2020

February 24, 2020

February 24, 2020

/s/ MARTHA GOLDBERG ARONSON

Martha Goldberg Aronson

Director

February 24, 2020

/s/ JEROME J. LANDE
Jerome J. Lande

/s/ BARBARA SCHWARZENTRAUB
Barbara Schwarzentraub

/s/ JOHN L. WORKMAN
John L. Workman

Director

Director

Director

February 24, 2020

February 24, 2020

February 24, 2020

34

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit No.

Description

Exhibit Index

3.1

3.2

4.1*

10.1+

10.2

10.3

10.4

10.5

10.6

10.7

10.8

10.9

10.10

10.11

10.12

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Amended and Restated By-Laws, as adopted by the Board of Directors on April 29, 2011 (Incorporated 
by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission on May 2, 2011).

1999 Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of CONMED 
Corporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K 
for the year ended December 31, 1999).

Description of Registrant’s Securities to be Registered

Employment Agreement between the Company and Curt R. Hartman, dated November 9, 2014 
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission on November 10, 2014).

Amended and Restated 1999 Long Term Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the 
Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 on November 3, 2009).

2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Definitive Proxy 
Statement for the 2002 Annual Meeting filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 17, 
2002).

Amendment to CONMED Corporation 2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Incorporated by reference 
to Exhibit 10.11 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005).

2006 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Company’s Registration 
Statement on Form S-8 on August 8, 2006).

Amended and Restated 2007 Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Plan of CONMED 
Corporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 
S-8 on August 3, 2010).

Amended and Restated Long Term Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the 
Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 on July 27, 2012).

CONMED Corporation Executive Severance Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the 
Company’s Current Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 
27, 2015).

Amended and Restated 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the 
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 on October 23, 2015).

Amended and Restated 2016 Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Plan (Incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 on October 28, 2016).

2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Registrants Form S-8 
filed on November 5, 2018).

Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated August 28, 2002, made by CONMED Corporation and 
certain of its subsidiaries in favor of JP Morgan Chase Bank (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 
of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2002).

35

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.13

10.14

10.15

10.16

10.17

10.18

10.19+

10.20

10.21+

10.22+

10.23

10.24

10.25

10.26

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

First Amendment to Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated June 30, 2003, made by CONMED 
Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries in favor of JP Morgan Chase Bank and the several banks and 
other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties thereto (Incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003).

Second Amendment to Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated April 13, 2006, made by CONMED 
Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries in favor of JP Morgan Chase Bank and the several banks and 
other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties thereto (Incorporated by reference to the 
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 
19, 2006).

Third Amendment to Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of January 17, 2013, made by 
CONMED Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries in favor of JP Morgan Chase Bank (Incorporated 
by reference to Exhibit 4.6 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 
31, 2012).

Fourth Amendment to Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of January 4, 2016, made by 
CONMED Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries in favor of JP Morgan Chase Bank (Incorporated 
by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission on January 4, 2016).

Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated February 7, 2019, among CONMED Corporation, 
the foreign subsidiary borrowers from time to time party thereto, the several lenders from time to time 
party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (Incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission on February 7, 2019).

Sports Medicine Joint Development and Distribution Agreement by and between Musculoskeletal 
Transplant Foundation, Inc. and CONMED Corporation dated as of January 3, 2012 (Incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 3, 2012).

Employment Agreement between the Company and Patrick Beyer, dated December 9, 2014 
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year 
ended December 31, 2014). 

Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated November 15, 2015, by and among CONMED Corporation, Nemo 
Acquisition Sub, Inc., SurgiQuest, Inc. and Shareholder Representative Services LLC (Incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission on November 16, 2015). 

Separation Agreement, by and between CONMED Corporation and Luke A. Pomilio, dated November 1, 
2017.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 2, 2017).

Offer Letter from CONMED Corporation to Todd W. Garner dated January 2, 2018. (Incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission on January 2, 2018).

Stock Option Inducement Award (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Registrants Form S-8 
filed on February 27, 2018).

Restricted Stock Unit Inducement Award (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of the Registrants 
Form S-8 filed on February 27, 2018).

Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 13, 2018, by and between CONMED Corporation 
and Filtration Group FGC LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current 
Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 13, 2018).

Indenture, dated as of January 29, 2019, by and between CONMED Corporation and MUFG Union 
Bank, N.A., as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Current Report on 
Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 29, 2019).

36

10.27

10.28

10.29

10.30

10.31

10.32

10.33

10.34

10.35

10.36

10.37

10.38

10.39

10.40

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Base Notes Hedge Transaction Confirmation, dated as of January 24, 2019, between CONMED 
Corporation and Barclays Bank PLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's 
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 29, 2019).

Base Notes Hedge Transaction Confirmation, dated as of January 24, 2019, between CONMED 
Corporation and Bank of America, N.A (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's 
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 29, 2019).

Base Notes Hedge Transaction Confirmation, dated as of January 24, 2019, between CONMED 
Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of 
the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
January 29, 2019).

Base Notes Hedge Transaction Confirmation, dated as of January  24, 2019, between CONMED 
Corporation and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as agent for JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, 
London Branch (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-
K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 29, 2019).

Base Warrant Transaction Confirmation, dated as of January 24, 2019, between CONMED Corporation 
and Barclays Bank PLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company's Current Report on 
Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 29, 2019).

Base Warrant Transaction Confirmation, dated as of January 24, 2019, between CONMED Corporation 
and Bank of America, N.A (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Company's Current Report 
on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 29, 2019).

Base Warrant Transaction Confirmation, dated as of January 24, 2019, between CONMED Corporation 
and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the 
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 
29, 2019).

Base Warrant Transaction Confirmation, dated as of January 24, 2019, between CONMED Corporation 
and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as agent for JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, London 
Branch (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 29, 2019).

Additional Notes Hedge Transaction Confirmation, dated as of January 25, 2019, between CONMED 
Corporation and Barclays Bank PLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Company's 
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 29, 2019).

Additional Notes Hedge Transaction Confirmation, dated as of January 25, 2019, between CONMED 
Corporation and Bank of America, N.A. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of the Company's 
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 29, 2019).

Additional Notes Hedge Transaction Confirmation, dated as of January 25, 2019, between CONMED 
Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of 
the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
January 29, 2019).

Additional Notes Hedge Transaction Confirmation, dated as of January  25, 2019, between CONMED 
Corporation and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as agent for JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, 
London Branch (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of the Company's Current Report on Form 
8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 29, 2019).

Additional Warrant Transaction Confirmation, dated as of January 25, 2019, between CONMED 
Corporation and Barclays Bank PLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of the Company's 
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 29, 2019).

Additional Warrant Transaction Confirmation, dated as of January 25, 2019, between CONMED 
Corporation and Bank of America, N.A. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of the Company's 
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 29, 2019).

37

10.41

10.42

14

21*

23*

31.1*

31.2*

32.1*

101.INS*

101.SCH*

101.CAL*

101.DEF*

101.LAB*

101.PRE*

104*

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Additional Warrant Transaction Confirmation, dated as of January 25, 2019, between CONMED 
Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of 
the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
January 29, 2019).

Additional Warrant Transaction Confirmation, dated as of January  25, 2019, between CONMED 
Corporation and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as agent for JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, 
London Branch (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of the Company's Current Report on Form 
8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 29, 2019).

Code of Ethics. The CONMED code of ethics may be accessed via the Company’s website at http://
www.conmed.com/en/about-us/investors/investor-relations

Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

Certification of Curt R. Hartman pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities 
Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Certification of Todd W. Garner. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities 
Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Certifications of Curt R. Hartman and Todd W. Garner pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted 
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

XBRL Instance Document - The instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because
its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

Cover Page Interactive Data File - the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL
document (included in Exhibit 101)

*

Filed herewith

+ Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

38

 
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL
OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

The management of CONMED Corporation is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial 
reporting.  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 reporting purposes in accordance with generally 
accepted accounting principles.  Our internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that pertain to the 
maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of assets; provide 
reasonable assurances that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with 
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only 
in accordance with authorizations of management and the directors of the Company; and provide reasonable assurance regarding 
prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our 
financial  statements.  Because  of  its  inherent  limitations,  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  may  not  prevent  or  detect 
misstatements.  Management assessed the effectiveness of CONMED’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 
2019.  In making its assessment, management utilized the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the 
Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in “Internal Control-Integrated Framework”, released in 2013.  Management has concluded 
that based on its assessment, CONMED’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2019.  The 
effectiveness  of  the  Company’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of  December 31,  2019  has  been  audited  by 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.

/s/  Curt R. Hartman
Curt R. Hartman
President and
Chief Executive Officer

/s/  Todd W. Garner
Todd W. Garner
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

39

 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of CONMED Corporation 

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of CONMED Corporation and its subsidiaries (the "Company")
as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and 
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, including the related notes and financial statement 
schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”).
We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established 
in  Internal  Control  -  Integrated  Framework  (2013)  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway 
Commission (COSO).  

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position 
of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three 
years in the period ended December 31, 2019 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of 
America.  Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting 
as of December 31, 2019 based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.

Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for 
leases in 2019. 

Basis for Opinions

The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control 
over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the 
accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on 
the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our 
audits.    We  are  a  public  accounting  firm  registered  with  the  Public  Company Accounting  Oversight  Board  (United  States) 
("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws 
and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the 
audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether 
due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement 
of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks.  
Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial 
statements.  Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, 
as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.  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 audits 
also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits 
provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

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 (i) pertain 
to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets 
of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial 

40

 
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 (iii) 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 conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Critical Audit Matters

The  critical  audit  matter  communicated  below  is  a  matter  arising  from  the  current  period  audit  of  the  consolidated  financial 
statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or 
disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or 
complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial 
statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on 
the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates. 

Valuation of acquired customer relationships intangible asset

As described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company recorded $124 million of a customer relationships 
intangible asset in conjunction with the Buffalo Filter acquisition on February 11, 2019. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed 
were recorded at their respective estimated fair values. Management applied significant judgment in estimating the fair value of 
the customer relationships intangible asset acquired, which involved the use of significant estimates and assumptions with respect 
to the timing and amounts of cash flow projections, including revenue growth rates, customer attrition rates, the discount rate and 
projected cost of sales. 

The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the valuation of the acquired customer 
relationships intangible asset is a critical audit matter are (i) there was a high degree of auditor judgment and subjectivity in 
applying procedures relating to the fair value measurement of the customer relationships intangible asset acquired due to the 
significant amount of judgment by management when developing the estimate, (ii) significant audit effort was required in evaluating 
the significant assumptions relating to the estimate, including revenue growth rates, customer attrition rates, the discount rate and 
projected cost of sales, and (iii) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge to assist in 
performing these procedures and evaluating the audit evidence obtained from these procedures.

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall 
opinion  on  the  consolidated  financial  statements.  These  procedures  included  testing  the  effectiveness  of  controls  related  to 
management’s valuation of the customer relationships intangible asset and controls over the development of the assumptions 
related to revenue growth rates, customer attrition rates, the discount rate and projected cost of sales.  These procedures also 
included, among others, (i) reading the purchase agreement and (ii) testing management’s process for estimating the fair value of 
the customer relationships intangible asset. Testing management’s process for estimating the fair value of the customer relationships 
intangible asset included evaluating the appropriateness of the valuation method and the reasonableness of significant assumptions, 
including revenue growth rates, customer attrition rates, the discount rate and projected cost of sales. Evaluating the reasonableness 
of revenue growth rates, customer attrition rates and projected cost of sales involved considering the past performance of the 
acquired business, as well as economic and industry forecasts. Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to 
assist in the evaluation of the Company’s valuation method used in the valuation of the acquired customer relationships intangible 
asset and certain significant assumptions, including customer attrition rates and the discount rate.

 /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Rochester, New York
February 24, 2020 

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1982. 

41

CONMED CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 2019 and 2018 
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)

ASSETS
Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful
accounts of $2,786 in 2019 and $2,660 in 2018

Inventories
Prepaid expenses and other current assets

Total current assets

Property, plant and equipment, net
Deferred income taxes
Goodwill
Other intangible assets, net
Other assets

Total assets

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:

Current portion of long-term debt
Accounts payable
Accrued compensation and benefits
Other current liabilities

Total current liabilities

Long-term debt
Deferred income taxes
Other long-term liabilities
Total liabilities

Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)

Shareholders' equity:

Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share; authorized

500,000 shares, none issued or outstanding

Common stock, par value $.01 per share; 100,000,000

authorized; 31,299,194 issued in 2019 and 2018, respectively

Paid-in capital
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Less:  Treasury stock, at cost;

2,876,729 and 3,167,422 shares in
2019 and 2018, respectively
Total shareholders' equity
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

2019

2018

$

25,856

$

17,511

$

$

189,097
164,616
17,794
397,363
118,883
5,659
618,042
532,800
102,348
1,775,095

13,596
55,968
53,690
64,833
188,087

755,211
74,488
46,842
1,064,628

$

$

181,550
154,599
20,691
374,351
113,245
5,162
400,440
413,193
62,747
1,369,138

18,336
53,498
42,924
46,186
160,944

438,564
81,061
26,299
706,868

—

—

313
379,324
470,844
(59,277)

313
341,738
464,851
(55,737)

(80,737)
710,467
1,775,095

$

(88,895)
662,270
1,369,138

$

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

42

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONMED CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 
(In thousands except per share amounts)

Net sales

Cost of sales

Gross profit

2019

2018

2017

$

955,097

$

859,634

$

796,392

430,382

390,524

365,351

524,715

469,110

431,041

Selling and administrative expense

400,141

355,617

351,799

Research and development expense

45,460

42,188

32,307

Operating expenses

Income from operations

Interest expense

Other expense

445,601

397,805

384,106

79,114

71,305

46,935

42,701

20,652

18,203

5,188

—

—

Income before income taxes

31,225

50,653

28,732

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

2,605

9,799

(26,755)

Net income

Per share data:

Basic
Diluted

Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Pension liability
Cash flow hedging gain (loss)
Other comprehensive income, before tax

Provision (benefit) for income taxes related to items in other
comprehensive income
Comprehensive income

$

$
$

$

$

28,620

$

40,854

$

55,487

$
$

$

1.01
0.97

25
35
(4,736)
23,944

1.45
1.41

$
$

1.99
1.97

(8,369) $
(885)
10,985
42,585

13,879
1,023
(8,051)
62,338

(1,136)
25,080

$

2,441
40,144

$

(2,597)
64,935

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

43

 
CONMED CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 
(In thousands)     

Common Stock

Shares

Amount

Paid-in
Capital

Retained
Earnings

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss

Treasury
Stock

Shareholders’
Equity

Balance at December 31, 2016

31,299 $

313 $ 329,276 $ 406,932 $

(58,526) $

(97,419) $

580,576

Common stock issued  under
employee plans

Stock-based compensation
Dividends on common stock ($.80
per share)

Comprehensive income (loss):

Foreign currency translation
adjustments

Pension liability, net

Cash flow hedging loss, net

Net income

Total comprehensive income

Balance at December 31, 2017
Common stock issued under
employee plans
Stock-based compensation

Dividends on common stock ($.80
per share)

Comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation
adjustments
Pension liability, net

Cash flow hedging gain, net

Net income

Total comprehensive income

Cumulative effect of change in 
accounting principle(1)

3,736

(217)
8,472

(22,334)

(3,953)

8,472

(22,334)

55,487

13,879

645

(5,076)

31,299 $

313 $ 333,795 $ 440,085 $

(49,078) $

(93,683) $

(2,094)

10,037

4,788

(22,477)

40,854

(8,369)

(672)

8,331

6,389

(5,949)

64,935

631,432

2,694

10,037

(22,477)

40,144

440

Balance at December 31, 2018

31,299 $

313 $ 341,738 $ 464,851 $

(55,737) $

(88,895) $

662,270

Common stock issued under
employee plans
Stock-based compensation
Dividends on common stock ($.80
per share)

Convertible notes discount, net

Convertible notes debt issuance
costs
Convertible notes hedge, net

Issuance of warrants

Comprehensive income (loss):

Foreign currency
translation adjustments

Pension liability, net

Cash flow hedging loss, net

Net income

Total comprehensive income

8,158

(22,627)

(3,843)
11,779

39,145

(1,233)

(38,829)

30,567

25

27

(3,592)

28,620

Balance at December 31, 2019

31,299 $

313 $ 379,324 $ 470,844 $

(59,277) $

(80,737) $

4,315
11,779

(22,627)

39,145

(1,233)

(38,829)

30,567

25,080

710,467

(1)We recorded the cumulative impact of adopting ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, (and its amendments) and ASU 2018-02, Income 
Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) in 2018.

  The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
44

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONMED CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 
(In thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

2019

2018

2017

$

28,620

$

40,854

$

55,487

Depreciation
Amortization of debt discount
Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs
Amortization
Stock-based compensation
Impairment charges
Deferred income taxes
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
Increase (decrease) in cash flows from changes in assets and

liabilities, net of acquired assets:

Accounts receivable
Inventories
Accounts payable
Income taxes
Accrued compensation and benefits
Other assets
Other liabilities

Net cash provided by operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities:

Payments related to business and asset acquisitions, net of cash acquired
Purchases of property, plant and equipment

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities:

Payments on term loan
Proceeds from term loan
Payments on revolving line of credit
Proceeds from revolving line of credit
Proceeds from convertible notes
Payments on mortgage notes
Payments related to contingent consideration
Payments related to debt issuance costs
Dividends paid on common stock
Purchases of convertible notes hedges
Proceeds from issuance of warrants
Other, net

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

18,688
8,302
3,454
53,635
11,779
312
(6,310)
300

(13,943)
(117)
38
(1,867)
9,957
(22,263)
4,548
66,513
95,133

(367,596)
(20,066)
(387,662)

(154,312)
265,000
(484,000)
392,000
345,000
(836)
(6,466)
(16,210)
(22,600)
(51,198)
30,567
3,936
300,881

18,530
—
1,042
42,231
10,037
4,212
2,063
—

(17,460)
(15,037)
12,109
(2,193)
9,044
(24,216)
(6,515)
33,847
74,701

—
(16,507)
(16,507)

(13,125)
—
(168,000)
153,000
—
(1,574)
(21,323)
(913)
(22,443)
—
—
2,113
(72,265)

(7)

(1,040)

8,345

(15,111)

20,079
—
1,042
37,427
8,472
—
(40,021)
—

(13,631)
(3,926)
(286)
4,288
336
(22,401)
18,700
10,079
65,566

(16,212)
(12,842)
(29,054)

(8,750)
—
(157,000)
155,000
—
(1,452)
—
—
(22,307)
—
—
(372)
(34,881)

3,563

5,194

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

17,511

32,622

27,428

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

$

25,856

$

17,511

$

32,622

45

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Contractual obligations from asset acquisition

  Dividends payable
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

Cash paid during the year for:

Interest
Income taxes

2019

2018

2017

$

$

$

$

5,639
5,684

27,274
10,576

$

$

8,360
5,626

19,660
11,048

—
5,592

16,157
8,869

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

46

 
 
CONMED CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands except per share amounts)

Note 1 — Operations and Significant Accounting Policies

Organization and operations

CONMED Corporation (“CONMED”, the “Company”, “we” or “us”) is a medical technology company that provides 
surgical devices and equipment for minimally invasive procedures.  The Company’s products are used by surgeons and physicians 
in a variety of specialties including orthopedics, general surgery, gynecology, neurosurgery, thoracic surgery and gastroenterology.

Principles of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CONMED Corporation and its controlled subsidiaries.  All 

significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 
of America requires management to make estimates and judgments which affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, related 
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and 
expenses during the reporting period. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results reported in 
future periods may differ from those estimates.  

Cash and cash equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value determined on the FIFO (first-in, first-out) cost method.

We write-off excess and obsolete inventory resulting from the inability to sell our products at prices in excess of current 
carrying costs.  We make estimates regarding the future recoverability of the costs of our products and record a provision for excess 
and obsolete inventories based on historical experience and expected future trends. 

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the following estimated 

useful lives:

Building and improvements
Leasehold improvements
Machinery and equipment

12 to 40 years
Shorter of life of asset or life of lease
2 to 15 years

47

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Leases

The Company leases various manufacturing facilities, office facilities and equipment under operating and finance leases. 
We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception.  Right-of-use ("ROU") assets represent our right to use an underlying asset 
for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease 
ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the 
lease term. We use the implicit rate when readily determinable.  As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our 
incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease 
payments. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise 
that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.  Certain of our leases 
include variable lease payments, mainly when a lease is tied to an index rate.  These variable lease payments are recorded as 
expense in the period incurred and are not material.

The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which we account for separately. For certain 
equipment leases, we apply a portfolio approach to efficiently account for the operating lease ROU assets and lease liabilities. We 
also elected the short-term lease exemption and do not recognize leases with terms less than one year on the balance sheet.  The 
related short-term lease expense is not material.  

Our leases have remaining lease terms of one year to eleven years, some of which include options to extend the leases 
for up to five years, and some of which include options to terminate the leases within one year. We only account for such extensions 
or early terminations when it is reasonably certain we will exercise such options.  Refer to Note 5 for further detail on leases.

The Company places certain of our capital equipment with customers on a loaned basis and at no charge in exchange for 
commitments to purchase related single-use products over time periods generally ranging from one to three years.  Placed equipment 
is loaned and subject to return if minimum single-use purchases are not met.  The Company accounts for these placements as 
operating leases but applies a practical expedient and does not separate the non-lease and lease components from the combined 
component.  Accordingly, the Company accounts for the combined component as a single performance obligation with revenue 
recognized upon shipment of the related single use-products.  The cost of the equipment is amortized over its estimated useful life 
which is generally five years.

Goodwill and other intangible assets

We have a history of growth through acquisitions.  Assets and liabilities of acquired businesses are recorded at their 
estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition.  Goodwill represents costs in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying 
net assets of acquired businesses.   Factors that contribute to the recognition of goodwill include synergies that are specific to our 
business and are expected to increase net sales and profits; acquisition of a talented workforce; cost savings opportunities; the 
strategic benefit of expanding our presence in core and adjacent markets; and diversifying our product portfolio.  Customer and 
distributor relationships, trademarks, tradenames, developed technology, patents and other intangible assets primarily represent 
allocations  of  purchase  price  to  identifiable  intangible  assets  of  acquired  businesses.    Sales  representation,  marketing  and 
promotional rights represent intangible assets created under our agreement with Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation (“MTF”). 

Goodwill  and  intangible  assets  deemed  to  have  indefinite  lives  are  not  amortized,  but  are  subject  to  at  least  annual 
impairment  testing.    It  is  our  policy  to  perform  our  annual  impairment  testing  in  the  fourth  quarter.   The  identification  and 
measurement of goodwill impairment involves the estimation of the fair value of our business.  Estimates of fair value are based 
on the best information available as of the date of the assessment.  We completed our goodwill impairment testing during the 
fourth quarter of 2019.  We performed our impairment test utilizing the market capitalization approach to determine whether the 
fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount.  Based upon our assessment, the fair value continues to exceed 
carrying value. 

Intangible assets with a finite life are amortized over the estimated useful life of the asset and are evaluated each reporting 
period to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of amortization.  Intangible 
assets subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying 
amount may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of an intangible asset subject to amortization is not recoverable if it exceeds 
the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset.  An impairment loss is recognized by reducing 
the carrying amount of the intangible asset to its current fair value.

For all other indefinite-lived intangible assets, including unamortized trademarks and tradenames, we perform a qualitative 

impairment test.  Based upon this assessment, we have determined that our indefinite-lived intangible assets are not impaired.

48

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other long-lived assets

We review other long-lived assets consisting of property, plant and equipment and field inventory for impairment whenever 
events or circumstances indicate that such carrying amounts may not be recoverable.  If the sum of the expected future undiscounted 
cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized by reducing the recorded value to its 
current fair value.

The  Company  maintains  field  inventory  consisting  of  capital  equipment  for  customer  demonstration  and  evaluation 
purposes.  Field inventory is generally not sold to customers but rather continues to be used over its useful life for demonstration, 
evaluation and loaner purposes.  An annual wear and tear provision has been recorded on field inventory.  The net book value of 
such equipment at December 31, 2019 and 2018 is $50.3 million and $50.4 million, respectively.

Translation of foreign currency financial statements

Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries have been translated into United States dollars at the applicable rates of 
exchange in effect at the end of the period reported.  Revenues and expenses have been translated at the applicable weighted 
average  rates  of  exchange  in  effect  during  the  period  reported.    Translation  adjustments  are  reflected  in  accumulated  other 
comprehensive loss.  Transaction gains and losses are included in net income.

Foreign exchange and hedging activity

We manage our foreign currency transaction risks through the use of forward contracts to hedge forecasted cash flows 
associated with foreign currency transaction exposures.  We account for these forward contracts as cash flow hedges.  To the extent 
these forward contracts meet hedge accounting criteria, changes in their fair value are not included in current earnings but are 
included in accumulated other comprehensive loss.  These changes in fair value will be reclassified into earnings as a component 
of sales or cost of sales when the forecasted transaction occurs.

We also enter into forward contracts to exchange foreign currencies for United States dollars in order to hedge our currency 
transaction exposures on intercompany receivables denominated in foreign currencies.  These forward contracts settle each month 
at month-end, at which time we enter into new forward contracts.  We have not designated these forward contracts as hedges and 
have not applied hedge accounting to them.  We record these forward contracts at fair value with resulting gains and losses included 
in selling and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Income taxes

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of 
assets and liabilities and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards as measured by the enacted tax rates that are anticipated to 
be in effect in the respective jurisdictions when these differences reverse.  The deferred income tax provision generally represents 
the net change in the assets and liabilities for deferred income taxes.  A valuation allowance is established when it is necessary to 
reduce deferred income tax assets to amounts for which realization is likely.  In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, we 
estimate future taxable income, considering the feasibility of ongoing tax planning strategies and the realizability of tax loss 
carryforwards following tax law ordering rules.  Valuation allowances related to deferred tax assets may be impacted by changes 
to tax laws, changes to statutory tax rates, reversal of temporary differences and ongoing and future taxable income levels.

Deferred income taxes are not provided on the unremitted earnings of certain subsidiaries outside of the United States 
earned after December 31, 2017 as it is expected that these earnings are permanently reinvested.  Such earnings may become 
taxable upon a repatriation of assets from a subsidiary or the sale or liquidation of a subsidiary.  Deferred income taxes are provided 
when the Company no longer considers subsidiary earnings to be permanently invested, such as in situations where the Company’s 
subsidiaries plan to make future dividend distributions. 

Revenue recognition

The Company recognizes revenue when we have satisfied a performance obligation by transferring a promised good or 
service (that is an asset) to a customer. An asset is transferred when the customer obtains control of that asset.  The following 
policies apply to our major categories of revenue transactions:

•  Revenue is recognized when product is shipped at which point the performance obligation is satisfied and the customer 

obtains control of the product.

49

 
 
 
 
 
•  We place certain of our capital equipment with customers on a loaned basis and at no charge in exchange for commitments 
to  purchase  related  single-use  products  over  time  periods  generally  ranging  from  one  to  three  years.  In  these 
circumstances, no revenue is recognized upon capital equipment shipment as the equipment is loaned and subject to 
return if certain minimum single-use purchases are not met.  Revenue is recognized upon the sale and shipment of the 
related single-use products.  The cost of the equipment is amortized over its estimated useful life which is generally five 
years.

•  We recognize revenues in accordance with the terms of our agreement with MTF on a net basis as our role is that of an 
agent earning a commission or fee.  MTF is responsible for the sourcing, processing and distribution of allograft tissue 
for sports medicine procedures while the Company represents, markets and promotes MTF’s sports medicine allograft 
tissues to customers.  The Company is paid a fee by MTF which is calculated as a percentage of the net amounts invoiced 
by MTF to customers for sports medicine allograft tissues.  The Company accounts for the services provided to MTF as 
a series of distinct performance obligations and each service is recognized over time as MTF simultaneously receives 
and consumes the benefit.

• 

Product  returns  are  only  accepted  at  the  discretion  of  the  Company  and  in  accordance  with  our  “Returned  Goods 
Policy”.  Historically,  the  level  of  product  returns  has  not  been  significant.  We  accrue  for  sales  returns,  rebates  and 
allowances  based  upon  an  analysis  of  historical  customer  returns  and  credits,  rebates,  discounts  and  current  market 
conditions.

•  Our terms of sale to customers generally do not include any obligations to perform future services.  Limited warranties 
are provided for capital equipment sales and provisions for warranty are provided at the time of product sale based upon 
an analysis of historical data.

•  Amounts billed to customers related to shipping and handling have been included in net sales.  Shipping and handling 
costs included in selling and administrative expense were $15.4 million, $14.0 million and $13.1 million for 2019, 2018
and 2017, respectively.

•  We sell to a diversified base of customers around the world and, therefore, believe there is no material concentration of 

credit risk.

•  We  assess  the  risk  of  loss  on  accounts  receivable  and  adjust  the  allowance  for  doubtful  accounts  based  on  this  risk 
assessment.  Historically, losses on accounts receivable have not been material.  Management believes that the allowance 
for doubtful accounts is adequate to provide for probable losses resulting from accounts receivable.

•  We sell extended warranties to customers that are typically for a period of one to three years. The related revenue is 
recorded as a contract liability and recognized over the life of the contract on a straight-line basis, which is reflective of 
our obligation to stand ready to provide repair services. 

Please refer to Note 10 for further detail on revenue.

50

 
Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share (“basic EPS”) is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common 
shares outstanding for the reporting period.  Diluted earnings per share (“diluted EPS”) gives effect to all dilutive potential shares 
outstanding resulting from employee stock options, restricted stock units, performance share units and stock appreciation rights 
during the period.  The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share at December 31, 2019, 
2018 and 2017, respectively: 

Net income

Basic-weighted average shares outstanding

Effect of dilutive potential securities

Diluted-weighted average shares outstanding

Net income (per share)

Basic
Diluted

2019

2018

2017

$ 28,620

$ 40,854

$ 55,487

28,325

28,118

27,939

1,170

772

232

29,495

28,890

28,171

$

$

1.01
0.97

$

1.45
1.41

1.99
1.97

The shares used in the calculation of diluted EPS exclude options and stock appreciation rights ("SARs") to purchase 
shares where the exercise price was greater than the average market price of common shares for the year and the effect of the 
inclusion would be anti-dilutive. Such shares aggregated approximately 0.7 million, 0.7 million and 1.2 million at December 31, 
2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.  As more fully described in Note 7, our 2.625% convertible notes due in 2024 (the “Notes”) 
are convertible under certain circumstances, as defined in the indenture, into a combination of cash and CONMED common stock.  
The calculation of diluted EPS would include potential diluted shares upon conversion of the Notes when the average market price 
per share of our common stock for the period, is greater than the conversion price of the Notes of $88.80. We intend to settle in 
cash the principal outstanding and use the treasury stock method when calculating their potential dilutive effect, if any. We have 
entered into convertible notes hedge transactions to increase the effective conversion price of the Notes to $114.92.  However, our 
convertible notes hedges are not included when calculating potential dilutive shares since their effect is always anti-dilutive.  
During the year ended December 31, 2019, our average share price has not exceeded the conversion price of the Notes; therefore, 
under the net share settlement method, there were no potential shares issuable under the Notes to be used in the calculation of 
diluted EPS. 

Stock-based compensation

All share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, restricted stock units, performance 
share units and stock appreciation rights are recognized in the financial statements based at their fair values.  Compensation expense 
is generally recognized using a straight-line method over the vesting period. Compensation expense for performance share units 
is recognized using the graded vesting method.

We issue shares under our stock based compensation plans out of treasury stock whereby treasury stock is reduced by 
the weighted average cost of such treasury stock.  To the extent there is a difference between the cost of the treasury stock and the 
exercise price of shares issued under stock based compensation plans, we record gains to paid in capital;  losses are recorded to 
paid in capital to the extent any gain was previously recorded, otherwise the loss is recorded to retained earnings.

51

 
 
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss

Accumulated other comprehensive loss consists of the following:

Cash Flow
Hedging
Gain (Loss)

Pension
Liability

Foreign 
Currency 
Translation
Adjustments

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive 
Loss

Balance, December 31, 2016

$

1,546

$

(26,458) $

(33,614) $

(58,526)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before
reclassifications, net of tax
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other 
comprehensive income before tax(a)
Income tax

(5,529)

(1,142)

13,879

718
(265)

2,835
(1,048)

—

—

7,208

3,553
(1,313)

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)

(5,076)

645

13,879

9,448

Balance, December 31, 2017

$

(3,530) $

(25,813) $

(19,735) $

(49,078)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before
reclassifications, net of tax

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other 
comprehensive income before tax(a)
Income tax

7,639

(2,711)

(8,369)

(3,441)

913
(221)

2,689
(650)

—
—

3,602
(871)

(710)

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)

8,331

(672)

(8,369)

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle(b)

(716)

(5,233)

—

(5,949)

Balance, December 31, 2018

$

4,085

$

(31,718) $

(28,104) $

(55,737)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before
reclassifications, net of tax

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other 
comprehensive income (loss) before tax(a)
Income tax

2,936

(2,158)

(8,607)
2,079

2,881
(696)

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)

(3,592)

27

25

—
—

25

803

(5,726)
1,383

(3,540)

Balance, December 31, 2019

$

493

$

(31,691) $

(28,079) $

(59,277)

(a)  The cash flow hedging gain (loss) and pension liability accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in sales or cost of sales and as a 
component of net periodic pension cost, respectively.  Refer to Note 16 and Note 12, respectively, for further details.

(b) We recorded the cumulative impact of adopting ASU 2018-02 in 2018, which allows for the elimination of the stranded tax effects of Tax Reform through a 
reclassification between accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and retained earnings. 

Note 2 – Business Acquisitions

On February 11, 2019 we acquired Buffalo Filter, LLC and all of the issued and outstanding common stock of Palmerton 
Holdings, Inc. from Filtration Group FGC LLC (the "Buffalo Filter Acquisition") for approximately $365 million in cash. Buffalo 
Filter develops, manufactures and markets smoke evacuation technologies that are complementary to our general surgery offering. 
The business combination was funded through a combination of cash on hand and long-term borrowings as further described in 
Note 7.

52

 
 
 
The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as a result of the 

Buffalo Filter Acquisition.

Cash
Accounts receivable

Inventory

Other current assets

Current assets

Property, plant & equipment

Deferred income taxes
Goodwill

Customer relationships

Developed technology
Trademarks & tradenames

Other non-current assets

Total assets acquired

Current liabilities assumed

Total liabilities assumed
Net assets acquired

$

$

$

119

4,587

4,582

146
9,434

4,036

80
215,793

124,000

9,000
7,000

166

369,509

4,462

4,462
365,047

The goodwill recorded as part of the acquisition primarily represents revenue synergies, as well as operating efficiencies 
and cost savings. The goodwill deductible for tax purposes is $215.8 million. The weighted amortization period for intangibles 
acquired is 16 years. Customer relationships were valued using the multi-period excess earnings model, and are being amortized 
over a weighted average life of 16 years.  Developed technology and trademarks and tradenames were valued using the relief from 
royalty method, and are being amortized over a weighted average life of 10 and 20 years, respectively.  Significant judgment was 
applied in estimating the fair value of the customer relationships intangible asset acquired, which involved the use of significant 
estimates  and  assumptions  with  respect  to  the  timing  and  amounts  of  cash  flow  projections,  including  revenue  growth  rates, 
customer attrition rates, the discount rate and projected cost of sales.

The unaudited pro forma information for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, assuming the Buffalo Filter 
Acquisition occurred as of January 1, 2018 are presented below. This information has been prepared for comparative purposes 
only and does not purport to be indicative of the results of operations which actually would have resulted had the Buffalo Filter 
acquisition occurred on the dates indicated, or which may result in the future.

Net sales

Net income

2019

2018

$

960,115

$

44,361

898,545

10,407

These pro forma results include certain adjustments, primarily due to increases in amortization expense due to fair value 
adjustments of intangible assets, increases in interest expense due to additional borrowings incurred to finance the acquisition, 
and acquisition related costs including transaction costs such as legal, accounting, valuation and other professional services as 
well as integration costs such as severance and retention.

Acquisition  related  costs  included  in  the  determination  of  pro  forma  net  income  for  the year  ended December 31, 
2018 included $1.3 million in cost of  goods sold and $13.1 million in selling and administrative expense on the consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income. Such amounts are excluded from the determination of pro forma net income for the year 
ended December 31, 2019.

53

 
 
 
 
Net  sales  associated  with  Buffalo  Filter  of  $49.6  million  have  been  recorded  in  the  consolidated  statement  of 
comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2019.  It is impracticable to determine the earnings recorded in the 
consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2019 as these amounts are not separately 
measured.

On December 4, 2019, we acquired, through a share purchase agreement, the operations of a distributor for total estimated 
consideration of approximately $13.9 million.  The purchase price included $4.1 million of identifiable intangible assets and $1.7 
million of goodwill.  Pro forma results of operations for the acquisition have not been presented as they are not material to our 
results of operations, either individually or in aggregate, for the period ended December 31, 2019.

Note 3 — Inventories

Inventories consist of the following at December 31:

Raw materials
Work in process
Finished goods

Note 4 — Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment consist of the following at December 31:

Land
Building and improvements
Machinery and equipment
Construction in progress

Less:  Accumulated depreciation

2019

51,103
15,142
98,371
164,616

2019

4,686
95,632
233,140
13,318
346,776
(227,893)
118,883

2018

45,898
15,000
93,701
154,599

2018

4,027
92,470
227,795
8,043
332,335
(219,090)
113,245

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

Internal-use software, included in gross machinery and equipment at December 31, 2019 and 2018 was $49.6 million
and $47.8 million, respectively, with related accumulated depreciation of $38.7 million and $34.5 million, respectively.  Internal 
use software depreciation expense was $4.8 million, $4.7 million and $4.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018
and 2017, respectively.

54

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 5 – Leases

Lease costs for the year ended December 31, consist of the following:

Operating lease cost:

     Straight-line lease cost

     Right-of-use asset impairment cost
Total operating lease cost

Finance lease cost:

     Depreciation

     Interest on lease liabilities
Total finance lease cost

Total lease cost

2019

7,780

312
8,092

238

27
265

8,357

$

$

Rent expense on operating leases was approximately $8.7 million and $6.5 million for the years ended December 31, 
2018 and 2017, respectively, in accordance with ASC 840. During 2018, we entered into capital lease obligations of $0.2 million, 
in connection with the purchase of equipment, in accordance with ASC 840.

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases as of December 31, is as follows:

Operating leases

Other assets (net of lease impairment of $1,001)

Other current liabilities

Other long-term liabilities
Total operating lease liabilities

Finance leases

Property, plant and equipment, gross
Accumulated depreciation

Property, plant and equipment, net

Current portion of long-term debt

Long-term debt

Total finance lease liabilities

Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)

Operating leases

Finance leases

Weighted average discount rate

Operating leases

Finance leases

55

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

2019

23,099

7,268
17,096
24,364

1,684
(479)
1,205

346

490
836

4.43 years

3.61 years

4.84%

4.70%

 
 
 
 
 
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases for the year ended December 31, was as follows:

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:

Operating cash flows from operating leases

Financing cash flows from finance leases

Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:

Operating leases

Finance leases

Maturities of lease liabilities as of December 31, 2019 are as follows:

$

2019

8,459

380

12,800

563

2020

2021
2022

2023
2024
Thereafter

Total lease payments

Less imputed interest

Total lease liabilities

Finance Lease

Operating Lease

$

$

$

378

178
230

112
—
—

898

7,268

6,131
5,285

4,177
3,105
1,480

27,446

(62)

(3,082)

836

$

24,364

As  of  December 31,  2019,  we  have  entered  into  approximately  $0.3  million  of  operating  leases  that  have  not  yet 
commenced.  As of December 31, 2019, we have entered into no additional finance leases that have not yet commenced.  Maturities 
of lease liabilities under ASC 840 are consistent with the above disclosure.

Note 6 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The changes in the net carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, are as follows:

Balance as of January 1,

Goodwill resulting from business combinations

Foreign currency translation

Balance as of December 31,

2019
400,440

$

2018
401,954

$

217,482

—

120

(1,514)

$

618,042

$

400,440

During 2019, the Company acquired Buffalo Filter as further described in Note 2.  Goodwill resulting from the acquisition 
amounted to $215.8 million and acquired intangible assets including customer and distributor relationships, developed technology 
and trademarks and tradenames amounted to $140.0 million.  Total accumulated goodwill impairment losses aggregated 

56

 
 
 
 
 
 
$107.0 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.  During 2019, the Company acquired a distributor as further described 
in Note 2 resulting in goodwill of $1.7 million and identifiable intangible assets of $4.1 million. 

  Other intangible assets consist of the following:

December 31, 2019

December 31, 2018

Weighted
Average
Amortization
Period
(Years)

Gross
Carrying
Amount

Accumulated
Amortization

Gross
Carrying
Amount

Accumulated
Amortization

24

25

15

16

$ 342,568

$

(115,311) $ 214,577

$

(97,131)

149,376

(48,000)

149,376

(42,000)

70,646

(46,456)

61,473

(44,242)

106,604

(13,171)

91,965

(7,369)

Intangible assets with definite lives:

Customer and distributor relationships

Sales representation, marketing and promotional
rights

Patents and other intangible assets

Developed technology

Intangible assets with indefinite lives:

Trademarks and tradenames

86,544

—

86,544

—

22

$ 755,738

$

(222,938) $ 603,935

$

(190,742)

Amortization expense related to intangible assets which are subject to amortization totaled $32.3 million, $23.2 million
and $21.3 million for the years ending December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and is included as a reduction of revenue 
(for amortization related to our sales representation, marketing and promotional rights) and in selling and administrative expense 
(for all other intangible assets) in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.  Included in developed technology is $6.5 
million and $21.3 million of earn-out consideration that was paid during 2019 and 2018, respectively, and an additional accrual of 
$7.5 million that is considered probable as of December 31, 2019 associated with a prior asset acquisition.  The accrual is recorded 
in other current liabilities at December 31, 2019. 

The estimated amortization expense related to intangible assets at December 31, 2019 and for each of the five succeeding 

years is as follows:

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024

Amortization
included in
expense

Amortization
recorded as a
reduction of
revenue

$

$

28,059
27,268
26,122
25,329
24,526

$

6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000

Total

34,059
33,268
32,122
31,329
30,526

57

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 7 — Long Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following at December 31:

Revolving line of credit
Term loan, net of deferred debt issuance costs of $1,528 and $311 in 2019 and 2018,
respectively

2.625% convertible notes, net of deferred debt issuance costs of $7,252 and unamortized
discount of $43,312 in 2019
Financing leases
Mortgage notes
Total debt

Less:  Current portion

Total long-term debt

2019

2018

$

220,000

$

312,000

253,535

144,064

294,436
836
—
768,807
13,596
755,211

$

—
—
836
456,900
18,336
438,564

$

On February 7, 2019, we entered into a sixth amended and restated senior credit agreement consisting of: (a) a $265.0 
million term loan facility and (b) a $585.0 million revolving credit facility.  The revolving credit facility will terminate and the 
loans outstanding under the term loan facility will mature on the earlier of (i) February 7, 2024 or (ii) 91 days prior to the earliest 
scheduled maturity date of the 2.625% convertible notes due in 2024 described below, (if, as of such date, more than $150.0 million
in aggregate principal amount of such convertible notes (or any refinancing thereof) remains outstanding).  The term loan facility 
is payable in quarterly installments increasing over the term of the facility.  Proceeds from the term loan facility and borrowings 
under the revolving credit facility were used to repay the then existing senior credit agreement and in part to finance the acquisition 
of Buffalo Filter.  Interest rates are at LIBOR plus an interest rate margin of 1.750% (3.563% at December 31, 2019).  For those 
borrowings where we elect to use the alternate base rate, the base rate will be the greatest of (i) the Prime Rate, (ii) the Federal 
Funds Rate plus 0.50% or (iii) the one-month Eurocurrency Rate plus 1.00%, plus, in each case, an interest rate margin. 

There were $255.1 million in borrowings outstanding on the term loan facility as of December 31, 2019.  There were 
$220.0 million in borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2019.  Our available borrowings 
on the revolving credit facility at December 31, 2019 were $362.5 million with approximately $2.5 million of the facility set aside 
for outstanding letters of credit.  

The sixth amended and restated senior credit agreement is collateralized by substantially all of our personal property and 
assets.  The sixth amended and restated senior credit agreement contains covenants and restrictions which, among other things, 
require the maintenance of certain financial ratios and restrict dividend payments and the incurrence of certain indebtedness and 
other activities, including acquisitions and dispositions.  We were in full compliance with these covenants and restrictions as of 
December 31, 2019.  We are also required, under certain circumstances, to make mandatory prepayments from net cash proceeds 
from any issuance of equity and asset sales.

On January 29, 2019, we issued $345.0 million in 2.625% convertible notes due in 2024 (the "Notes").  Interest is payable 
semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year, commencing August 1, 2019.  The Notes will mature on February 
1, 2024, unless earlier repurchased or converted.  The Notes represent subordinated unsecured obligations and are convertible 
under certain circumstances, as defined in the indenture, into a combination of cash and CONMED common stock.  The Notes 
may be converted at an initial conversion rate of 11.2608 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes 
(equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $88.80 per share of common stock).  Holders of the Notes may convert 
the Notes at their option at any time on or after November 1, 2023 through the second scheduled trading day preceding the maturity 
date.  Holders of the Notes will also have the right to convert the Notes prior to November 1, 2023, but only upon the occurrence 
of specified events.  The conversion rate is subject to anti-dilution adjustments if certain events occur.  A portion of the net proceeds 
from the offering of the Notes were used as part of the financing for the Buffalo Filter acquisition and $21.0 million were used to 
pay the cost of certain convertible notes hedge transactions as further described below.

Our effective borrowing rate for nonconvertible debt at the time of issuance of the Notes was estimated to be 6.14%, 
which resulted in $51.6 million of the $345.0 million aggregate principal amount of Notes issued, or $39.1 million after taxes, 
being attributable to equity.  For the year ended December 31, 2019, we have recorded interest expense related to the amortization 
of debt discount on the Notes of $8.3 million at the effective interest rate of 6.14%.  The debt discount on the Notes is being 
amortized through February 2024.  For the year ended December 31, 2019, we have recorded interest expense on the Notes of 
$8.4 million at the contractual coupon rate of 2.625%.

58

 
 
 
In connection with the offering of the Notes, we entered into convertible notes hedge transactions with a number of 
financial institutions (each, an “option counterparty”).  The convertible notes hedge transactions cover, subject to anti-dilution 
adjustments substantially similar to those applicable to the Notes, the number of shares of our common stock underlying the Notes.  
Concurrently with entering into the convertible notes hedge transactions, we also entered into separate warrant transactions with 
each option counterparty whereby we sold to such option counterparty warrants to purchase, subject to customary anti-dilution 
adjustments, the same number of shares of our common stock.

The convertible notes hedge transactions are expected generally to reduce the potential dilution upon conversion of the 
Notes and/or offset any cash payments we are required to make in excess of the principal amount of converted Notes, as the case 
may be, in the event that the market price per share of our common stock, as measured under the terms of the convertible notes 
hedge transactions, is greater than the strike price ($114.92) of the convertible notes hedge transactions, which initially corresponds 
to the conversion price of the Notes and is subject to anti-dilution adjustments substantially similar to those applicable to the 
conversion rate of the Notes.  If, however, the market price per share of our common stock, as measured under the terms of the 
warrant transactions, exceeds the strike price of the warrants, there would nevertheless be dilution to the extent that such market 
price exceeds the strike price of the warrants.

During 2019, we paid in full our mortgage notes in connection with the Largo, Florida property and facilities.

The scheduled maturities of long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2019 are as follows:

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Thereafter

Note 8 — Income Taxes

$

13,250
18,219
24,844
418,750
345,000
—

The provision (benefit) for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 consists of the 

following:

Current tax expense:

Federal
State
Foreign

Deferred income tax expense (benefit):

Federal
State
Foreign

2019

2018

2017

$

$

96
444
8,375
8,915

(3,970)
(938)
(1,402)
(6,310)

(1,077) $
777
8,036
7,736

4,478
62
(2,477)
2,063

1,744
2,101
9,421
13,266

(44,456)
(1,036)
5,471
(40,021)

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

$

2,605

$

9,799

$

(26,755)

59

 
 
 
 
 
 
A reconciliation between income taxes computed at the statutory federal rate and the provision (benefit) for income taxes 

for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 follows:

Tax provision at statutory rate based on income before income taxes

21.0%

21.0%

35.0 %

2019

2018

2017

Stock-based compensation

Settlement of taxing authority examinations

Federal research credit

Tax treaty protocols

US tax on worldwide earnings at different rates

Foreign income taxes

Non deductible/non-taxable items

State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit

International tax reform

US tax reform

Consolidated group restructuring

(15.4)

(7.7)

(4.0)

(2.9)

7.9

6.4

2.8

0.3

—

—

—

(1.6)

(0.7)

(2.8)

—

2.9

3.6

(1.4)

1.6

(3.6)

1.8

—

Other, net

(0.1)

(1.5)

(2.1)

(2.1)

(2.8)

—

—

(5.3)

(1.0)

2.8

—

(111.0)

(7.4)

0.8

8.3%

19.3%

(93.1)%

The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("Tax Reform") was enacted on December 22, 2017.  The Tax Reform included a number 
of changes in existing tax law impacting businesses, including a one-time deemed repatriation of cumulative undistributed foreign 
earnings and a permanent reduction in the U.S. federal statutory rate from 35% to 21%, effective on January 1, 2018.  Under U.S. 
GAAP, changes in tax rates and tax law were accounted for in 2017, the period of enactment, and deferred tax assets and liabilities 
were measured at the enacted tax rate.  The 2017 rate reconciliation included the Company’s assessment of the accounting under 
the Tax Reform which was preliminary based on information that was available to management at the time the consolidated 
financial  statements  were  prepared.    Estimated  provisional  amounts  were  recorded  for  the  deemed  repatriation  toll  charge 
implemented  by  the Tax  Reform,  related  foreign  tax  credits,  deferred  tax  revaluation  amounts  and  deferred  tax  liabilities  on 
unremitted earnings.  Accordingly, the Company had determined a preliminary $31.9 million of tax benefit related to Tax Reform. 

Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 provided for a one-year measurement period to finalize these estimated provisional 
amounts.  During 2018, the Company finalized its accounting and recorded $1.3 million of tax expense related to the revaluation 
of certain deferred tax items.  This expense was offset in part by $0.4 million of tax benefit primarily resulting from finalization 
of the deemed repatriation toll charge, related foreign tax credits and adjustments to foreign withholding amounts.  The final tax 
benefit related to Tax Reform was $31.0 million.  

The Company has elected to account for Global Intangible Low Tax Income ("GILTI") using the period cost method.   

The net impact of GILTI including the allowable GILTI deduction is presented in the rate reconciliation as a component of “US 
tax on worldwide earnings at different rates” and is offset in part by the Foreign Derived Intangible Income deduction (“FDII”).

60

 
 
 
 
 
The tax effects of the significant temporary differences which comprise the deferred income tax assets and liabilities at 

December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows:

Assets:

Inventory
Net operating losses
Capitalized research and development
Deferred compensation
Accounts receivable
Compensation and benefits
Accrued pension
Research and development credit
Interest limitation
Convertible notes hedge
Lease liabilities
Other
Less: valuation allowances

Liabilities:

Goodwill and intangible assets
Depreciation
State taxes
Unremitted foreign earnings
Convertible notes debt discount
Lease right-of-use assets

$

2019

2018

$

4,085
3,679
6,201
2,102
2,556
6,049
3,710
10,321
5,702
9,004
5,688
4,336
(1,732)
61,701

102,015
301
11,161
2,619
9,096
5,338
130,530

4,096
7,358
7,214
2,085
2,296
5,434
3,205
8,585
—
—
—
2,235
(1,159)
41,349

100,108
1,345
12,212
3,583
—
—
117,248

Net liability

$

(68,829) $

(75,899)

Income before income taxes consists of the following U.S. and foreign income:

U.S. income
Foreign income
Total income

2019

2018

2017

$

$

5,332
25,893
31,225

$

$

24,320
26,333
50,653

$

$

1,492
27,240
28,732

As of December 31, 2019, the amount of federal net operating loss carryforward was $9.3 million and begins to expire 
in 2027. As of December 31, 2019, the amount of federal research credit carryforward available was $10.3 million.  These credits 
begin to expire in 2027.  

We have accrued tax liabilities related to the amount of unremitted earnings at December 31, 2017 and certain subsequent 
unremitted earnings as these are not considered permanently reinvested.  Deferred taxes have not been accrued on unremitted 
earnings subsequent to December 31, 2017 that are considered permanently reinvested.  The amount of such untaxed foreign 
earnings for the periods occurring after December 2017 totaled $33.9 million.  If we were to repatriate these funds, we would be 
required to accrue and pay taxes on such amounts.  The Company has estimated foreign withholding taxes of $1.0 million would 
be due if these earnings were repatriated. 

The Company is subject to taxation in the United States and various states and foreign jurisdictions.  Taxing authority 
examinations can involve complex issues and may require an extended period of time to resolve.  Our federal income tax returns 
have been examined by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) for calendar years ending through 2017.  

61

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We recognize tax liabilities in accordance with the provisions for accounting for uncertainty in income taxes.  Such 
guidance prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement 
of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.

The following table summarizes the activity related to our unrecognized tax benefits for the years ending December 31,:

Balance as of January 1,

2019

2018

2017

$

3,073

$

2,943

$

1,839

Increases (decreases) for positions taken in prior periods

—

(250)

(246)

Increases for positions taken in current periods

1,650

1,017

1,957

Decreases in unrecorded tax positions related to settlement with the
taxing authorities

(2,404)

(370)

(607)

Decreases in unrecorded tax positions related to lapse of statute of
limitations

(149)

(267)

—

Balance as of December 31,

$

2,170

$

3,073

$

2,943

If the total unrecognized tax benefits of $2.2 million at December 31, 2019 were recognized, it would reduce our annual 
effective tax rate.  The amount of interest accrued in 2017, 2018 and 2019 related to these unrecognized tax benefits was not 
material and is included in the provision (benefit) for income taxes in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. 

Note 9 – Shareholders’ Equity

On February 29, 2012, the Board of Directors adopted a cash dividend policy and declared an initial quarterly dividend 
of $0.15 per share. On October 28, 2013, the Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend to $0.20 per share.  The total 
dividend per share was $0.80 for each of 2019, 2018 and 2017.  The fourth quarter dividend for 2019 was paid on January 7, 2020
to shareholders of record as of December 13, 2019.  The total dividend payable was $5.7 million and $5.6 million at December 
31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and is included in other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.

Our shareholders have authorized 500,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, which may be issued in 
one or more series by the Board of Directors without further action by the shareholders. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, no 
preferred stock had been issued.

Our Board of Directors has authorized a $200.0 million share repurchase program.  Through December 31, 2019, we 
have repurchased a total of 6.1 million shares of common stock aggregating $162.6 million under this authorization and have 
$37.4 million remaining available for share repurchases.  The repurchase program calls for shares to be purchased in the open 
market  or  in  private  transactions  from  time  to  time.  We  may  suspend  or  discontinue  the  share  repurchase  program  at  any 
time.  During 2019, 2018, and 2017 we did not repurchase any shares. 

We have reserved 7.3 million shares of common stock for issuance to employees and directors under two shareholder 
approved share-based compensation plans (the "Plans") of which approximately 4.1 million shares remain available for grant at 
December 31, 2019.  The exercise price on all outstanding stock options and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) is equal to the 
quoted fair market value of the stock at the date of grant.  Restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and performance stock units (“PSUs”) 
are valued at the market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant.  Stock options, SARs, RSUs and PSUs are generally 
non-transferable other than on death and generally become exercisable over a 4 to 5 year period from date of grant.  Stock options 
and SARs expire 10 years from date of grant.  SARs are only settled in shares of the Company’s stock.  The issuance of shares 
pursuant to the exercise of stock options and SARs and vesting of RSUs and PSUs are from the Company’s treasury stock.

Total pre-tax stock-based compensation expense recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income 
was $11.8 million, $10.0 million and $8.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.  These 
amounts are included in selling and administrative expense.  Tax related benefits of $2.8 million, $2.3 million and $2.0 million

62

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
were also recognized for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.  Cash received from the exercise of 
stock options was $7.7 million, $3.5 million and $1.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, 
and is reflected in cash flows from financing activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock options and SARs at the 
date of grant.  Use of a valuation model requires management to make certain assumptions with respect to select model inputs.  
Expected volatilities are based upon historical volatility of the Company’s stock over a period equal to the expected life of each 
stock option and SAR grant.  The risk free interest rate is based on the stock option and SAR grant date for a traded U.S. Treasury 
bond with a maturity date closest to the expected life.  The expected annual dividend yield is based on the Company's anticipated 
cash  dividend  payouts.   The  expected  life  represents  the  period  of  time  that  the  stock  options  and  SARs  are  expected  to  be 
outstanding based on a study of historical data of option holder exercise and termination behavior.  Forfeitures are recognized as 
incurred.

The following table illustrates the assumptions used in estimating fair value in the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018

and 2017: 

Grant date fair value of stock options and SARs
Expected stock price volatility
Risk-free interest rate
Expected annual dividend yield
Expected life of options & SARs (years)

$

2019

2018

2017

$

20.59
26.59%
2.58%
1.08%
5.6

$

14.78
25.69%
2.62%
1.34%
5.7

10.07
27.63%
2.11%
1.87%
5.8

The following table illustrates the stock option and SAR activity for the year ended December 31, 2019:

Outstanding at December 31, 2018

Granted
Forfeited
Exercised

Outstanding at December 31, 2019
Exercisable at December 31, 2019
Stock options & SARs expected to vest

Number
of
Shares
(in 000’s)

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price

2,851

$

860
$
(106) $
(352) $

3,253
1,036
2,217

$
$
$

47.67

78.78
58.50
43.75

55.97
46.05
60.61

The weighted average remaining contractual term for SARs and stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 
2019 was 7.5 years and 6.3 years, respectively.  The aggregate intrinsic value of SARs and stock options outstanding and exercisable 
at December 31, 2019 was $181.7 million and $68.2 million, respectively.  The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options and 
SARs exercised during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $17.0 million, $4.2 million and $2.7 million, 
respectively.

63

 
 
 
The following table illustrates the RSU and PSU activity for the year ended December 31, 2019:  

Outstanding at December 31, 2018

Granted
Vested
Forfeited

Outstanding at December 31, 2019

Number
of
Shares
(in 000’s)

Weighted-
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value

187

$

38
$
(55) $
(1) $

169

$

43.46

78.64
51.43
43.68

48.94

The weighted average fair value of awards of RSUs granted in the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was 

$78.64, $61.76 and $48.32, respectively.

The  total  fair  value  of  RSUs  and  PSUs  vested  was  $2.8  million,  $3.0  million  and  $3.4  million  for  the  years  ended 

December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

As of December 31, 2019, there was $28.7 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock 
options, SARs, RSUs and PSUs granted under the Plans which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 
3.4 years.

We offer to our employees a shareholder-approved Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Employee Plan”), under which 
we reserved 1.0 million shares of common stock for issuance to our employees.  The Employee Plan provides employees with the 
opportunity to invest from 1% to 10% of their annual salary to purchase shares of CONMED common stock at a purchase price 
equal to 95% of the fair market value of the common stock on the exercise date.  During 2019, we issued approximately 18,104
shares of common stock under the Employee Plan.  No stock-based compensation expense has been recognized in the accompanying 
consolidated financial statements as a result of common stock issuances under the Employee Plan.

Note 10 — Revenues

The following tables present revenue disaggregated by product line and timing of revenue recognition for the years ended 

December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:

Orthopedic Surgery

2019
General Surgery

Total

Timing of Revenue Recognition

Goods transferred at a point in time

Services transferred over time

Total sales from contracts with customers

$

$

426,893

36,429

463,322

$

$

489,313

2,462

491,775

Orthopedic Surgery

General Surgery

2018

Timing of Revenue Recognition

Goods transferred at a point in time

Services transferred over time

Total sales from contracts with customers

$

$

413,630

33,098
446,728

$

$

411,391

1,515
412,906

$

$

$

$

916,206

38,891

955,097

825,021

34,613
859,634

Total

64

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Orthopedic Surgery

2017
General Surgery

Total

Timing of Revenue Recognition

Goods transferred at a point in time

Services transferred over time

Total sales from contracts with customers

$

$

396,147

32,797

428,944

$

$

366,672

776

367,448

$

$

762,819

33,573

796,392

Revenue disaggregated by primary geographic market where the products are sold is included in Note 11. 

Contract liability balances related to the sale of extended warranties to customers are as follows:

December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018

Contract Liability

$

14,276

$

11,043

Revenue recognized during years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 from amounts included in contract liabilities 
at the beginning of the period were $6.8 million, $5.0 million and $3.9 million, respectively. There were no material contract assets 
as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

Note 11 — Business Segments and Geographic Areas

We are accounting and reporting for our business as a single operating segment entity engaged in the development, 
manufacturing and sale on a global basis of surgical devices and related equipment.  Our chief operating decision maker (the CEO) 
evaluates the various global product portfolios on a net sales basis and evaluates profitability, investment, cash flow metrics and 
allocates resources on a consolidated worldwide basis due to shared infrastructure and resources. Our product lines consist of 
orthopedic surgery and general surgery.  Orthopedic surgery consists of sports medicine instrumentation and small bone, large 
bone and specialty powered surgical instruments as well as imaging systems for use in minimally invasive surgery procedures 
including  2DHD  and  3DHD  vision  technologies  and  fees  related  to  sales  representation,  promotion  and  marketing  of  sports 
medicine allograft tissue.  General surgery consists of a complete line of endo-mechanical instrumentation for minimally invasive 
laparoscopic and gastrointestinal procedures, a line of cardiac monitoring products as well as electrosurgical generators and related 
instruments.  These product lines' net sales and primary geographic market where the products are sold, are as follows for the  
years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:

Orthopedic Surgery

2019
General Surgery

Total

Primary Geographic Markets

United States
Americas (excluding the United States)
Europe, Middle East & Africa

Asia Pacific

$

Total sales from contracts with customers

$

179,419
64,269
118,301

101,333
463,322

$

$

337,246
31,004
64,248

59,277
491,775

$

$

2018

Orthopedic Surgery

General Surgery

Total

Primary Geographic Markets

United States

Americas (excluding the United States)

Europe, Middle East & Africa

Asia Pacific

$

172,462

$

276,186

$

66,519

112,998

94,749

31,009

53,565

52,146

Total sales from contracts with customers

$

446,728

$

412,906

$

516,665
95,273
182,549

160,610
955,097

448,648

97,528

166,563

146,895

859,634

65

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Orthopedic Surgery

2017
General Surgery

Total

Primary Geographic Markets

United States

Americas (excluding the United States)

Europe, Middle East & Africa
Asia Pacific

$

167,602

$

243,439

$

60,439

106,921
93,982

30,730

48,928
44,351

Total sales from contracts with customers

$

428,944

$

367,448

$

411,041

91,169

155,849
138,333

796,392

Sales are attributed to countries based on the location of the customer.  There were no significant investments in long-
lived assets located outside the United States at December 31, 2019 and 2018.  No single customer represented over 10% of our 
consolidated net sales for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.

Note 12 — Employee Benefit Plans

We sponsor an employee savings plan (“401(k) plan”) covering substantially all of our United States based employees.  
We also sponsor a defined benefit pension plan (the “pension plan”) that was frozen in 2009.  It covered substantially all our United 
States based employees at the time it was frozen.

Total employer contributions to the 401(k) plan were $9.1 million, $8.3 million and $7.5 million during the years ended 

December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

We use a December 31, measurement date for our pension plan.  Cumulative gains and losses in excess of 10% of the 
greater of the benefit obligation or the market-related value of assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lesser of the 
expected average remaining life expectancy of the plan's participants or 12 years.  The limit of 12 years is adjusted to reflect the 
percentage change in the average remaining service period for the plan's active membership.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the projected benefit obligation, plan assets and funded status of the 

pension plan at December 31:

Accumulated benefit obligation

Change in benefit obligation
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year
Service cost
Interest cost
Actuarial gain (loss)
Benefits paid
Settlements
Projected benefit obligation at end of year

Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
Actual gain (loss) on plan assets
Benefits paid
Settlements
Fair value of plan assets at end of year

Funded status

66

2019

2018

92,052

$

80,776

80,776
1,010
3,130
10,561
(2,299)
(1,126)
92,052

66,307
12,439
(2,299)
(1,126)
75,321

$

$

$

$

87,765
675
2,806
(7,430)
(2,104)
(936)
80,776

74,932
(5,585)
(2,104)
(936)
66,307

(16,731) $

(14,469)

$

$

$

$

$

$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of the following at December 31,:

Other long-term liabilities
Accumulated other comprehensive loss

2019

2018

$

(16,731) $
(41,787)

(14,469)
(41,822)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 consists of net actuarial losses 

not yet recognized in net periodic pension cost (before income taxes).

The following actuarial assumptions were used to determine our accumulated and projected benefit obligations as of 

December 31,:

Discount rate

2019

2018

3.33%

4.37%

Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income in 2019 and 2018 are as 

follows:

Current year actuarial loss
Amortization of actuarial loss
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss

2019

2018

$

$

(2,846) $
2,881
35

$

(3,574)
2,689
(885)

The estimated portion of net actuarial loss in accumulated other comprehensive loss that is expected to be recognized as 

a component of net periodic pension cost in 2020 is $2.8 million.

Net periodic pension cost for the years ended December 31, consists of the following:

Service cost
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
Expected return on plan assets
Amortization of loss
Net periodic pension cost

2019

2018

2017

$

$

1,010
3,130
(4,725)
2,881
2,296

$

$

675
2,806
(5,418)
2,689
752

$

$

603
2,773
(5,300)
2,835
911

Non-service cost of $1.3 million is included in other expense in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income for 

the year ended 2019.

The following actuarial assumptions were used to determine our net periodic pension benefit cost for the years ended 

December 31,:

Discount rate on benefit obligation
Effective rate for interest on benefit obligation
Expected return on plan assets

2019

2018

2017

4.37%
4.01%
7.50%

3.69%
3.28%
7.50%

4.28%
3.49%
8.00%

We use a full yield curve approach in the estimation of the interest cost component of net periodic pension cost by applying 
the specific spot rates along the yield curve used in the determination of the benefit obligation that correlates to the relevant 
projected cash flows ("spot rate approach"). 

67

 
 
 
 
 
 
In determining the expected return on pension plan assets, we consider the relative weighting of plan assets, the historical 
performance of total plan assets and individual asset classes and economic and other indicators of future performance.  In addition, 
we consult with financial and investment management professionals in developing appropriate targeted rates of return.

Asset management objectives include maintaining an adequate level of diversification to reduce interest rate and market 

risk and providing adequate liquidity to meet immediate and future benefit payment requirements.

The allocation of pension plan assets by category is as follows at December 31,:

Equity securities
Debt securities

Total

Percentage of Pension
Plan Assets

2019

2018

Target
Allocation
2020

74%
26%
100%

71%
29%
100%

75%
25%
100%

As of December 31, 2019, the pension plan held 27,562 shares of our common stock, which had a fair value of $3.1 
million.  We believe that our long-term asset allocation on average will approximate the targeted allocation.  We regularly review 
our actual asset allocation and periodically rebalance the pension plan’s investments to our targeted allocation when deemed 
appropriate.

FASB guidance defines fair value and establishes a framework for measuring fair value and related disclosure requirements 
as described in Note 16.  Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for our pension assets.  There have been 
no changes in the methodologies used at December 31, 2019 and 2018:

Common
Stock:

Common stock is valued at the closing price reported on the common stock’s respective stock exchange 
and is classified within level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.

Fixed Income
Securities:

Valued at the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded 
and are classified within level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.

Money
Market Fund:

Mutual
Funds:

These investments are public investment vehicles valued using the Net Asset Value (NAV).

These investments are public investment vehicles valued using the Net Asset Value (NAV) provided by 
the administrator of the fund.  The NAV is based on the value of the underlying assets owned by the fund, 
minus its liabilities, and then divided by the number of shares outstanding.  

The methods described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or 
reflective of future fair values.  Furthermore, while the pension plan believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent 
with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial 
instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.

68

 
The following table sets forth the value of the pension plan's assets as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

Investments measured at fair value:

Level 1

Common Stock
Fixed Income Securities

Total Investments measured at fair value

Investments measured at NAV:

Money Market Fund
Mutual Funds

Total Investments measured at NAV

2019

2018

$

$

8,307
18,609
26,916

789
47,616
48,405

6,362
17,640
24,002

1,385
40,920
42,305

Total Investments

$

75,321

$

66,307

We do not expect to make any contributions to our pension plan for 2020.

The following table summarizes the benefits and settlements expected to be paid by our pension plan in each of the next 
five years and in aggregate for the following five years.  The expected payments are estimated based on the same assumptions 
used to measure the Company’s projected benefit obligation at December 31, 2019 and reflect the impact of expected future 
employee service.

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025-2029

$6,489
5,290
5,815
5,637
5,245
26,725

Note 13 — Legal Matters and Contingencies

From time to time, the Company may receive an information request or subpoena from a government agency such as the 
Securities and Exchange Commission, Department of Justice, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Occupational 
Safety  and  Health Administration,  the  United  States  Food  and  Drug Administration,  the  Department  of  Labor,  the  Treasury 
Department or other federal and state agencies or foreign governments or government agencies.  These information requests or 
subpoenas may or may not be routine inquiries, or may begin as routine inquiries and over time develop into enforcement actions 
of various types.  Likewise, if we receive reports of alleged misconduct from employees and third parties, we investigate as 
appropriate.

Manufacturers of medical devices have been the subject of various enforcement actions relating to interactions with health 
care  providers  domestically  or  internationally  whereby  companies  are  claimed  to  have  provided  health  care  providers  with 
inappropriate incentives to purchase their products.  Similarly, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ("FCPA") imposes obligations 
on manufacturers with respect to interactions with health care providers who may be considered government officials based on 
their affiliation with public hospitals.  The FCPA also requires publicly listed manufacturers to maintain accurate books and records, 
and maintain internal accounting controls sufficient to provide assurance that transactions are accurately recorded, lawful and in 
accordance with management's authorization.  The FCPA poses unique challenges both because manufacturers operate in foreign 
cultures in which conduct illegal under the FCPA may not be illegal in local jurisdictions, and because, in some cases, a United 
States manufacturer may face risks under the FCPA based on the conduct of third parties over whom the manufacturer may not 
have complete control.  While CONMED has not experienced any material enforcement action to date, there can be no assurance 
that the Company will not be subject to a material enforcement action in the future, or that the Company will not incur costs 
including, in the form of fees for lawyers and other consultants, that are material to the Company’s results of operations in the 
course of responding to a future inquiry or investigation.

69

 
 
Manufacturers of medical products may face exposure to significant product liability claims,  as well as patent infringement 
and other claims incurred in the ordinary course of business.  To date, we have not experienced any claims that have been material 
to our financial statements or financial condition, but any such claims arising in the future could have a material adverse effect 
on our business, results of operations or cash flows.  We currently maintain commercial product liability insurance of $30 million
per incident and $30 million in the aggregate annually, which we believe is adequate.  This coverage is on a claims-made basis.  
There can be no assurance that claims will not exceed insurance coverage, that the carriers will be solvent or that such insurance 
will be available to us in the future at a reasonable cost.

Our operations are subject, and in the past have been subject, to a number of environmental laws and regulations governing, 
among other things, air emissions; wastewater discharges; the use, handling and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes; soil 
and groundwater remediation and employee health and safety.  Likewise, the operations of our suppliers and sterilizers are subject 
to similar environmental laws and regulations.  In some jurisdictions, environmental requirements may be expected to become 
more  stringent  in  the  future.    In  the  United  States,  certain  environmental laws  can  impose  liability for  the  entire  cost  of  site 
restoration upon each of the parties that may have contributed to conditions at the site regardless of fault or the lawfulness of the 
party’s activities.  While we do not believe that the present costs of environmental compliance and remediation are material, there 
can be no assurance that future compliance or remedial obligations would not have a material adverse effect on our financial 
condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In 2014, the Company acquired EndoDynamix, Inc.  The agreement governing the terms of the acquisition provides that, 
if various conditions are met, certain contingent payments relating to the first commercial sale of the products (the milestone 
payment), as well as royalties based on sales (the revenue based payments), are due to the seller.  In 2016, we notified the seller 
that there was a need to redesign the product, and that, as a consequence, the first commercial sale had been delayed.  Consequently, 
the payment of contingent milestone and revenue-based payments were delayed.  On January 18, 2017, the seller provided notice 
("the Notice") seeking $12.7 million, which essentially represents the seller's view as to the sum of the projected contingent 
milestone and revenue-based payments on an accelerated basis.  CONMED responded to the Notice denying that there was any 
basis for acceleration of the payments due under the acquisition agreement.  On February 22, 2017, the representative of the former 
shareholders of EndoDynamix filed a complaint in Delaware Chancery Court claiming breach of contract with respect to the duty 
to commercialize the product and seeking the contingent payments on an accelerated basis.  We believe that there was a substantive 
contractual basis to support the Company's decision to redesign the product, such that there was no legitimate basis for seeking 
the acceleration of the contingent payments at that time.  In the third quarter of 2018, the Company decided to halt the development 
of the EndoDynamix clip applier.  We previously recorded a charge to write off assets and released a previously accrued contingent 
consideration liability as described in Note 14.  A non-jury trial is now scheduled to take place in July 2020.  We expect to defend 
the claims asserted by the sellers of EndoDynamix in the Delaware Court, although there can be no assurance that we will prevail 
in the litigation.

We record reserves sufficient to cover probable and estimable losses associated with any such pending claims.  We do 
not expect that the resolution of any pending claims, investigations or reports of alleged misconduct will have a material adverse 
effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.  There can be no assurance, however, that future claims or 
investigations, or the costs associated with responding to such claims, investigations or reports of misconduct, especially claims 
and investigations not covered by insurance, will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations 
or cash flows. 

70

 
 
Note 14 — Acquisition and Other Expense

Acquisition and other expense for the year ended December 31, consists of the following:

2019

2018

2017

Business acquisition costs
Manufacturing consolidation costs
Acquisition and other expense included in cost of sales

Business acquisition costs
Restructuring costs
Legal matters
Acquisition and other expense included in selling and administrative
expense

Impairment charges included in research and development expense

Debt refinancing costs included in other expense

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

1,335
2,858
4,193

13,066
—
—

13,066

$

— $
—
— $

2,372
—
—

2,372

$

$

$

— $

4,212

3,904

$

— $

—
2,903
2,903

2,336
1,347
17,480

21,163

—

—

During 2019, we incurred $1.3 million in costs for inventory adjustments and other costs associated with the acquisition 

of Buffalo Filter as further described in Note 2. These costs were charged to cost of sales.

During 2019, we incurred $2.9 million in severance and other costs related to the consolidation of certain manufacturing 

operations.  These costs were charged to cost of sales.

 During 2017, we incurred $2.9 million in costs associated with consolidation of certain manufacturing operations.  These 

costs were charged to cost of sales and included severance, inventory and other charges. 

During 2019 and 2018, we incurred $13.1 million and $1.3 million, respectively, in costs associated with the February 11, 
2019 acquisition of Buffalo Filter as further described in Note 2 that were included in selling and administrative expense.  These 
costs include investment banking fees, consulting fees, legal fees, severance and integration related costs.  

During  2018 and 2017 we incurred $1.1 million and $2.3 million respectively, in costs associated with a prior acquisition 
and were also included in selling and administrative expense.  The 2018 cost consists of a charge to selling and administrative 
expense associated with a vacant lease related to the acquisition.  The 2017 costs include the expensing of unvested options acquired 
and integration related costs.  

During 2017, we consolidated certain selling and administrative functions and incurred $1.3 million in related costs 

consisting principally of severance charges.

During 2017, we incurred $12.2 million in costs associated with a litigation verdict whereby SurgiQuest, Inc. was found 
liable for $2.2 million in compensatory damages with an additional $10.0 million in punitive damages.   These costs were paid 
on July 10, 2018.  In addition, during the years ended December 31, 2017, we incurred $5.3 million  in costs associated with this 
litigation and other legal matters.  These costs were charged to selling and administrative expense.

During 2018, we recorded a net charge of $4.2 million to research and development expense mainly associated with the 
impairment of an in-process research and development asset, net of the release of previously accrued contingent consideration in 
other current and long-term liabilities, as further described in Note 13.

During 2019, we incurred a $3.6 million charge related to commitment fees paid to certain of our lenders, which provided 
a financing commitment for the Buffalo Filter acquisition and recorded a loss on the early extinguishment of debt of $0.3 million
in conjunction with the sixth amended and restated senior credit agreement as further described in Note 7.

71

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
Note 15 — Guarantees

We provide warranties on certain of our products at the time of sale and sell extended warranties.  The standard warranty 
period for our capital equipment is generally one year and our extended warranties typically vary from one to three years.  Liability 
under service and warranty policies is based upon a review of historical warranty and service claim experience.  Adjustments are 
made to accruals as claim data and historical experience warrant.

Changes in the carrying amount of service and product standard warranties for the year ended December 31, are as 

follows:

Balance as of January 1,

Provision for warranties
Claims made

Balance as of December 31,

2019

2018

2017

1,585

$

1,750

$

1,954

1,699
(1,098)

1,099
(1,264)

1,034
(1,238)

2,186

$

1,585

$

1,750

$

$

Costs associated with extended warranty repairs are recorded as incurred and amounted to $5.3 million, $4.9 million and 

$4.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 respectively.

Note 16 – Fair Value Measurement

We enter into derivative instruments for risk management purposes only.  We operate internationally and, in the normal 
course of business, are exposed to fluctuations in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and commodity prices. These fluctuations 
can increase the costs of financing, investing and operating the business. We use forward contracts, a type of derivative instrument, 
to manage certain foreign currency exposures.

By nature, all financial instruments involve market and credit risks. We enter into forward contracts with major investment 
grade financial institutions and have policies to monitor the credit risk of those counterparties.  While there can be no assurance, 
we do not anticipate any material non-performance by any of these counterparties.

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts. We hedge forecasted intercompany sales denominated in foreign currencies 
through the use of forward contracts.  We account for these forward contracts as cash flow hedges.  To the extent these forward 
contracts  meet  hedge  accounting  criteria,  changes  in  their  fair  value  are  not  included  in  current  earnings  but  are  included  in 
accumulated other comprehensive loss.  These changes in fair value will be recognized into earnings as a component of sales or 
cost of sales when the forecasted transaction occurs.  

We also enter into forward contracts to exchange foreign currencies for United States dollars in order to hedge our currency 
transaction  exposures.  These  forward  contracts  settle  each  month  at  month-end,  at  which  time  we  enter  into  new  forward 
contracts.  We have not designated these forward contracts as hedges and have not applied hedge accounting to them.  

The following table presents the notional contract amounts for forward contracts outstanding:

Forward exchange contracts

Forward exchange contracts

As of

FASB ASC Topic 815
Designation

Cash flow hedge

$

Non-designated

December 31, 2019

December 31, 2018

156,818

$

33,867

155,313

39,631

The remaining time to maturity as of December 31, 2019 is within two years for hedge designated foreign exchange 

contracts and approximately one month for non-hedge designated forward exchange contracts.

72

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statement of comprehensive income presentation

Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges

Foreign exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges had the following effects on accumulated other comprehensive 

income (loss) and net earnings on our consolidated statements of comprehensive income and our consolidated balance sheets:

Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in AOCI

Consolidated Statements  of Comprehensive
Income

Amount of Gain (Loss)
Reclassified from AOCI

Years Ended

Total Amount of Line Item
Presented

Years Ended

Derivative Instrument

2019

2018

2017

Location of
amount
reclassified

2019

2018

2017

2019

2018

2017

Foreign exchange contracts

$ 3,871 $10,073 $ (7,290) Net Sales

$955,097 $859,634 $796,392

$ 7,969 $ (1,278) $ (573)

  Cost of Sales

430,382

390,524

365,351

638

365

(145)

Pre-tax gain (loss)

$ 3,871 $10,073 $ (7,290)

Tax expense (benefit)

935

2,434

(1,761)

Net gain (loss)

$ 2,936 $ 7,639 $ (5,529)

$ 8,607 $ (913) $ (718)

2,079

(221)

(265)

$ 6,528 $ (692) $ (453)

At December 31, 2019, $0.7 million of net unrealized gains on forward contracts accounted for as cash flow hedges, and 

included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, are expected to be recognized in earnings in the next twelve months.

Derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges

Net gains and losses from derivative instruments not accounted for as hedges offset by gains and losses on our intercompany 

receivables on our consolidated statements of comprehensive income were:

Derivative Instrument

Net gain (loss) on currency forward contracts
Net gain (loss) on currency transaction
exposures

Location on Consolidated Statements
of Comprehensive Income

Selling and administrative expense

Selling and administrative expense

2019

2018

2017

(573) $

69

$ (1,577)

(653) $

(804) $ 1,058

$

$

Years Ended

73

 
 
 
Balance sheet presentation

We record these forward foreign exchange contracts at fair value; the following tables summarize the fair value for forward 

foreign exchange contracts outstanding at December 31, 2019 and 2018:

December 31, 2019

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign exchange contracts

Foreign exchange contracts

Other long-term liabilities

Prepaids and other current assets

Location on Consolidated Balance
Sheet

Asset
Fair
Value

Liabilities
Fair
Value

Net
 Fair
Value

$

$

2,307

38
2,345

$

$

(1,341) $
(353)
(1,694) $

966
(315)
651

Derivatives not designated as hedging
instruments:

Foreign exchange contracts

Other current liabilities

22

(159)

(137)

Total derivatives

$

2,367

$

(1,853) $

514

December 31, 2018

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign exchange contracts

Derivatives not designated as hedging
instruments:
Foreign exchange contracts

Location on Consolidated Balance
Sheet

Asset 
Fair
Value

Liabilities 
Fair
Value

Net
 Fair
Value

Prepaids and other current assets

$

5,817

$

(431) $

5,386

Other current liabilities

19

(217)

(198)

Total derivatives

$

5,836

$

(648) $

5,188

Our forward foreign exchange contracts are subject to a master netting agreement and qualify for netting in the consolidated 

balance sheets.  

Fair Value Disclosure.  FASB guidance defines fair value and establishes a framework for measuring fair value and 
related disclosure requirements.  This guidance applies when fair value measurements are required or permitted.  The guidance 
indicates, among other things, that a fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell an asset or transfer a liability 
occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for 
the asset or liability.  Fair value is defined based upon an exit price model.

Valuation Hierarchy.  A valuation hierarchy was established for disclosure of the inputs to the valuations used to measure 
fair value.  This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels as follows.  Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) 
in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.  Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active 
markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable 
for  the  asset  or  liability,  including  interest  rates,  yield  curves  and  credit  risks,  or  inputs  that  are  derived  principally  from  or 
corroborated by observable market data through correlation.  Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on our own assumptions 
used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value.  A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined 
based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  There have been no significant changes in the 
assumptions.

Valuation Techniques.  Assets and liabilities carried at fair value and measured on a recurring basis as of December 31, 
2019 consist of forward foreign exchange contracts.  The Company values its forward foreign exchange contracts using quoted 
prices for similar assets.  The most significant assumption is quoted currency rates.  The value of the forward foreign exchange 
contract assets and liabilities were valued using Level 2 inputs and are listed in the table above.  

74

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The carrying amounts reported in our balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable 

and long-term debt approximate fair value.  

Note 17 - New Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”), along with amendments 
issued in 2017 and 2018. This ASU requires lessees to record leases on their balance sheets but recognize the expenses on their 
income statements in a manner similar to current practice. ASU 2016-02 states that a lessee would recognize a lease liability for 
the obligation to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset for the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. 

The Company adopted the new standard on January 1, 2019, and applied the modified retrospective approach along with 
the package of transition practical expedients. The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which 
we account for separately. For certain equipment leases, we apply a portfolio approach to efficiently account for the operating 
lease ROU assets and lease liabilities. We also elected the short-term lease exemption and do not recognize leases with terms less 
than one year on the balance sheet. The related short-term lease expense is not material. On January 1, 2019, we recorded initial 
right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, that were previously unrecorded under prior GAAP, of $17.9 million. Operating lease ROU 
assets are included in other assets and lease liabilities are included in other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities. Our 
accounting for finance leases, which were capital leases under prior GAAP, remained substantially unchanged. Finance leases are 
included in property and equipment, current portion of long-term debt and long-term debt in our consolidated balance sheets. This 
update did not have a material impact on our net income, earnings per share or cash flows. Refer to Note 5 for further detail on 
leases.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to 
Accounting  for  Hedging Activities.   This ASU  makes  more  financial  and  non-financial  hedging  strategies  eligible  for  hedge 
accounting.  It also amends the presentation and disclosure requirements and changes how companies assess effectiveness.  It is 
intended to more closely align hedge accounting with companies’ risk management strategies, simplify the application of hedge 
accounting and increase transparency as to the scope and results of hedging programs.  This guidance is effective for fiscal years 
beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period.  Early adoption is permitted.  We 
adopted this update on January 1, 2019 and it did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards, Not Yet Adopted

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13 Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of 
Credit  Losses  on  Financial  Instruments,  along  with  subsequent  amendments  issued  in  2019.   This ASU  requires  instruments 
measured at amortized cost, including accounts receivable, to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected.  The new 
model  requires  an  entity  to  estimate  credit  losses  based  on  historical  information,  current  information,  and  reasonable  and 
supportable forecasts, including estimates of prepayments.  This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 
2019 and early adoption is permissible during any interim period after December 31, 2018.  The Company adopted the new standard 
on January 1, 2020.  We assessed the impact of adopting this ASU and the impact of the current expected credit loss model on 
trade receivables.  We do not expect this update to have a material impact on our net income, earnings per share or cash flows. 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework-Changes 
to  the  Disclosure  Requirements  for  Fair  Value  Measurement,  which  modifies  the  disclosure  requirements  on  fair  value 
measurements.  This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted.  We do 
not expect this update to have a material impact on disclosures on our consolidated financial statements. 

In August  2018,  the  FASB  issued ASU  2018-14,  Compensation-Retirement  Benefits-Defined  Benefit  Plans-General 
(Topic 715-20): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans, which modifies the 
disclosure requirements for defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement plans.  This ASU is effective for fiscal years 
beginning after December 15, 2020 and early adoption is permitted.  The Company is currently assessing the impact of this guidance 
on our consolidated financial statements.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740):  Simplifying the Accounting for Income 
Taxes, which results in the removal of certain exceptions to the general principles of ASC 740 and simplifies other aspects of the 
accounting for income taxes.  This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 and early adoption is 
permitted.  The Company is currently assessing the impact of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

75

 
 
 
 
Note 18 — Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

Selected quarterly financial data for 2019 and 2018 are as follows:

2019
Net sales
Gross profit
Net income
EPS:

Basic
Diluted

2018
Net sales
Gross profit
Net income
EPS:

Basic
Diluted

March(1)

Three Months Ended
June(2)

September(3)

December(4)

$

$

$

$

218,378
121,438
1,021

.04
.04

March

202,064
109,557
10,657

.38
.37

$

$

$

$

238,263
131,190
5,695

.20
.19

$

$

233,590
130,111
6,970

.25
.23

Three Months Ended
June

September(5)

212,820
116,271
8,719

.31
.30

$

$

202,307
110,627
5,825

.21
.20

$

$

$

$

264,865
141,975
14,933

.53
.49

December(6)

242,444
132,655
15,653

.56
.54

Items Included In Selected Quarterly Financial Data:

(1)  The first quarter of 2019 includes pre-tax business acquisition costs of $7.9 million and debt refinancing costs of $3.9 million.

(2)  The second quarter of 2019 includes pre-tax business acquisition costs of $3.0 million.

(3)  The third quarter of 2019 includes pre-tax business acquisition costs of $1.7 million and manufacturing consolidation costs 
of $1.4 million.  In the third quarter of 2019, our average share price exceeded the conversion price of our 2.625% convertible 
notes due in 2024 (the "Notes") and we included 0.2 million shares assumed to be issued if the Notes were converted in our 
diluted share count for the computation of diluted earnings per share.

(4)  The fourth quarter of 2019 includes pre-tax business acquisition costs of $1.9 million and manufacturing consolidation costs 
of $1.4 million.  In the fourth quarter of 2019, our average share price exceeded the conversion price of our 2.625% convertible 
notes due in 2024 (the "Notes") and we included 0.6 million shares assumed to be issued if the Notes were converted in our 
diluted share count for the computation of diluted earnings per share.

(5)  The third quarter of 2018 includes pre-tax business acquisition costs of $1.1 million and in-process research and development 

impairment charges of $4.2 million.

(6)  The fourth quarter of 2018 includes pre-tax business acquisition costs of $1.3 million.

76

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SCHEDULE II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
(In thousands)

Description         

Balance at
Beginning of
Period

Additions

Charged to
Costs and
Expenses

Deductions

Balance at End
of Period

2019

Allowance for bad debts
Sales returns and
allowance
Deferred tax asset

valuation allowance

2018

Allowance for bad debts
Sales returns and
allowance
Deferred tax asset

valuation allowance

2017

Allowance for bad debts
Sales returns and
allowance
Deferred tax asset

valuation allowance

Item 16.  Form 10-K Summary

$

2,660

$

852

$

(726) $

3,246

1,159

518

573

(97)

—

$

2,137

$

1,485

$

(962) $

2,219

1,050

570

589

(23)

—

$

2,031

$

1,031

$

(925) $

1,817

441

424

129

(22)

—

2,786

3,667

1,732

2,660

3,246

1,159

2,137

2,219

570

Registrants may voluntarily provide a summary of information required by Form 10-K under this Item 16.  The 

Company has elected not to include such summary information.

77

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 4.1

Description of Registrant’s Securities to be Registered.

Description of Common Stock

The following is a description of the general terms, provisions and rights of Common Stock and related provisions of the 
Company’s certificate of incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) and bylaws (the “Bylaws”) and applicable New York 
law. This description is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws 
and applicable New York law.

Authorized Shares

We have the authority to issue an aggregate of 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock. As of February 19, 2020, there 

were 31,299,194 shares of our Common Stock issued and 28,492,005 shares of our Common Stock outstanding.

Dividend Rights

Subject to the preferences, limitations and relative rights of holders of our preferred stock, the holders of Common Stock 
are entitled to share ratably in dividends if, when and as declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available therefor.

Voting Rights

Subject to the preferences, limitations and relative rights of holders of our preferred stock, the holders of Common Stock 

are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters at all meetings of shareholders.

Liquidation Rights

Subject to the preferences, limitations and relative rights of holders of our preferred stock, the holders of Common Stock 
are entitled, in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, to share ratably in the distribution of assets remaining after 
payment of debts and expenses.

Absence of Other Rights

Our Common Stock has no sinking fund or redemption provisions or preemptive, conversion or exchange rights.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws contain provisions that may delay, defer or discourage another party from 
acquiring control of us. We expect that these provisions, some of which are summarized below, will discourage coercive takeover 
practices or inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us 
to first negotiate with the board of directors, which we believe may result in an improvement of the terms of any such acquisition 
in  favor  of  our  shareholders.  However,  they  also  give  the  board  of  directors  the  power  to  discourage  acquisitions  that  some 
shareholders may favor.

Special Meetings of Shareholders

Our Bylaws provide that special meetings of shareholders may only be called by the board of directors, the chairman of 

the board of directors, if any, or the president.

Advance Notice Requirements for Shareholder Proposals

Our Bylaws require advance notice procedures for shareholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting of the 

shareholders, including the nomination of directors. 

Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

New York law provides generally that a majority vote of all the outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon at a meeting 
of shareholders is required to approve amendments to a corporation’s certificate of incorporation, unless a corporation’s certificate 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
of incorporation requires a greater percentage. New York law also provides generally that by-laws may be amended by a majority 
of the votes cast by the shares at the time entitled to vote in the election of any directors. Under New York law, when so provided 
in the certificate of incorporation or a by-law adopted by the shareholders, by-laws may also be amended by the vote specified in 
the certificate of incorporation or by-law, but any by-law adopted by the board may be amended or repealed by the shareholders 
entitled to vote thereon. Our Bylaws may be amended, altered, or repealed by a majority vote of our board of directors.

New York Anti-Takeover Statute

We are subject to Section 912 of the New York Business Combination Law. Accordingly, we may not engage in a business 
combination, such as a merger, consolidation, recapitalization, asset sale or disposition of stock, with any “interested shareholder” 
for a period of five years from the date that the interested shareholder first became an interested shareholder unless certain conditions 
are met.

Indemnification of Officers and Directors

Our Bylaws provide that we indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law and authorize the 
Company to enter into agreements with any of our directors or officers to indemnify such person to the fullest extent permitted 
by law.

Listing

The Company's Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "CNMD." 

 
 
 
CONMED Corporation
Subsidiaries of the Registrant

EXHIBIT 21

Name

State or Country of Incorporation

Aspen Laboratories, Inc.
Buffalo Filter LLC
CONMED Andover Medical, Inc.
CONMED Austria GmbH
CONMED Denmark ApS
CONMED Deutschland GmbH
CONMED Endoscopic Technologies, Inc.
CONMED Finland Oy
CONMED France SAS
CONMED Iberia SL
CONMED Italia SrL
CONMED Japan K. K.

CONMED Linvatec Australia PTY Ltd
CONMED Linvatec (Beijing) Medical Appliances Co., Ltd

CONMED Linvatec Biomaterials Oy
CONMED U.K. Ltd.
Consolidated Medical Equipment Company S. de R.L. de C.V.
EndoDynamix, Inc.
GWH Limited Partnership
G.W. Comércio Importação e Exportação de Produtos Médicos Hospitalares Ltda.
Largo Lakes I Limited Partnership
Linvatec Corporation
Linvatec Belgium NV
Linvatec Canada ULC
Linvatec Europe SPRL
CONMED Korea Ltd.
Linvatec Nederland B.V.
Linvatec Polska Sp. z.o.o
Linvatec Conmed Sweden AB
Palmerton Holdings, Inc.
SurgiQuest, Inc.
Viking Systems, Inc.
Linvatec India Private Limited

Colorado
Delaware
New York
Austria
Denmark
Germany
Massachusetts
Finland
France
Spain
Italy
Japan

Australia
China

Finland
United Kingdom
Mexico
Delaware
Florida
Brazil
Delaware
Florida
Belgium
Canada
Belgium
Korea
Netherlands
Poland
Sweden
New York
Delaware
Delaware
India

 
 
 
 
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-78987, 333-90444, 
333-124202,  333-136453,  333-145150,  333-162834,  333-168493,  333-182878,  333-207582,  333-214299,  333-223258  and 
333-228171) of CONMED Corporation of our report dated February 24, 2020 relating to the consolidated financial statements, 
financial statement schedule and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Form 10-K.

EXHIBIT 23

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Rochester, New York 
February 24, 2020 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Exhibit 31.1

I, Curt R. Hartman, certify that:

1. 

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of CONMED Corporation;

2.  Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material 
fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not 
misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present 
in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the 
periods presented in this report;

4.  The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and 
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as 
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)  designed  such  disclosure  controls  and  procedures,  or  caused  such  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  to  be 
designed  under  our  supervision,  to  ensure  that  material  information  relating  to  the  registrant,  including  its 
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in 
which this report is being prepared;

b)  designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting 
to  be  designed  under  our  supervision,  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;

c)  evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our 
conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered 
by this report based on such evaluation; and

d)  disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during 
the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) 
that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over 
financial reporting; and

5.  The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over 
financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons 
performing the equivalent functions):

a)  all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial 
reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize 
and report financial information; and

b)  any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role 

in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

February 24, 2020 

/s/ Curt R. Hartman
Curt R. Hartman
President and
Chief Executive Officer

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Exhibit 31.2

I, Todd W. Garner, certify that:

1. 

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of CONMED Corporation;

2.  Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material 
fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not 
misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present 
in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the 
periods presented in this report;

4.  The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and 
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as 
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)  designed  such  disclosure  controls  and  procedures,  or  caused  such  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  to  be 
designed  under  our  supervision,  to  ensure  that  material  information  relating  to  the  registrant,  including  its 
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in 
which this report is being prepared;

b)  designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting 
to  be  designed  under  our  supervision,  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;

c)  evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our 
conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered 
by this report based on such evaluation; and

d)  disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during 
the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) 
that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over 
financial reporting; and

5.  The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over 
financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons 
performing the equivalent functions):

a)  all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial 
reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize 
and report financial information; and

b)  any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role 

in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

February 24, 2020 

/s/ Todd W. Garner
Todd W. Garner
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

 
Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATIONS
PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
(SUBSECTIONS (a) AND (b) OF SECTION 1350, CHAPTER 63 OF TITLE 18, UNITED STATES CODE)

Pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of section 1350, chapter 63 of title 
18, United States Code), each of the undersigned officers of CONMED Corporation, a New York corporation (the “Corporation”), 
does hereby certify that:

The Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 (the “Form 10-K”) of the Corporation fully 
complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and information contained in the 
Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Corporation.

Date: February 24, 2020

Date: February 24, 2020

/s/ Curt R. Hartman
Curt R. Hartman
President and
Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Todd W. Garner
Todd W. Garner
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company Notes

Company Notes

Company Notes

Company Notes

CONTINUING THE CLIMB

CONMED Corporation 
525 French Road, Utica, NY 13502  |  USA

©2020 CONMED Corporation.  All Rights Reserved.